Are Solar Panels a Good Investment?

Updated August 21, 2019

The advent of solar technology comes with the promise of tapping into the free energy that nature provides. Many modern-day homeowners have considered saving money on electricity for their homes by adding solar panels to their properties.

Solar panels image courtesy of PXHere

The current reality regarding solar power is much more promising than just ten years ago.

Here we will demystify this technology and the investment viability for you.

Solar Power Systems Explained

Appropriately referred to as photovoltaic (PV) panels, solar panels collect the energy that radiates from sunlight; converting this energy into electricity.

The silicon crystal-based panels are arranged and framed into a set called an array. These arrays are either mounted on the property’s rooftop or affixed to a post or stand near the property.

The solar arrays are connected to a unit called a charge controller, which regulates the power to the deep-cycle battery bank.

The battery bank is connected to a unit called the inverter, which converts the DC to AC.

Finally, the inverter is connected to the property’s electrical panel.

Determining Your Energy Needs

The best way to figure out how much the maximum energy usage for your home will be to take the electrical bills from the summer and winter months for your home.

Take the highest kilowatt per hour (kWh) usage for your home during those months to determine your peak energy usage.

There are higher energy demands during these seasons; this is why winter and summer months are used.

You can use solar power system calculators to figure out the right amount of solar arrays for your particular home.

Using utility bill management software is also an ideal way to monitor your power usage.

Grid-Tied Systems vs. Off-Grid Systems

There are two ways to apply solar power to your homes energy infrastructure, and the first is what is called grid-tied, and this means that you are using solar in conjunction with the power company’s power grid to power your home.

The second method is what is called the off-grid system, which strictly uses the power from the solar power system you have connected to your electrical panel.

Investment Viability

Now that you understand what the solar power system consists of, we can address its worthiness as an investment. Whether you are reducing your electrical expenses with a grid-tied system or eliminating your bill with an off-grid system, there is an obvious benefit to using free energy.

The determining factor is figuring out how many years until you recoup your investment for the system—by saving on monthly energy costs. The costs for systems and installation varies, but it typically takes anywhere from five to ten years to recoup on your initial investment. Here is a link to a Bankrate article that shares more information about the cutting costs and saving money on taxes by choosing to have solar panels installed.

Conclusion

Solar panels provide homeowners with access to electricity supplied by sunlight, and that means free energy. If you intend on keeping your property for the long haul, you will undoubtedly be glad that you switched to solar when your electric bill magically disappears.

You Can Help With Galion's Blocked RailRoad Problem

We're still seeing a LOT of blocked train crossings in Galion, and that isn't actually going to change any time soon - but here's the thing - (there's always a thing, right?)

Random trainlocking crossing  image

Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Study

The Federal Railroad Administration is looking into it and ASKING people to submit an impact statement form through the PUCO website whenever a crossing is blocked and to share how it affected each person's life.

They're ASKING because this is a nationwide problem (not just in Galion) - and they're trying to determine which crossings (in the whole country) need attention the most...

The communities where the people pay attention and fill out the forms are going to be the ones to see some help from the government.

Basically, there's only a certain amount of money that's going to be thrown at the problem, and they're (the FRA) trying to determine which crossings - out of ALL the crossings in the United States - are going to get those funds for upgrades... like another overpass or...

You Know the Saying About the Squeaky Wheel Getting the Grease?

Make some noise!

The squeaky wheel is, quite literally, going to be the one that gets the grease (squeaky wheel means the most deeply impacted communities with the most people who fill out the FRA form.

Whatever they do isn't going to happen fast, but they are planning to do something - somewhere - and the only way it'll be HERE is if enough people fill out the form, enough times.

It isn't just a one time and you're done form, either, they WANT to know every time someone is stopped by a train and their lives are impacted.

You could literally fill out the form more than once per day in Galion the way the trains have been lately, and it would be an example of you supplying the information a government agency needs to validate funding a second overpass in Galion.

Complain About Block Railroad Crossings So it Counts!

Will it work? Maybe - Maybe not - it is government, after all so who can guess... but I can guarantee if people don't start submitting the forms, nothing is going to change in our community in regards to the trains blocking the roads for hours on end some days.

Doing things like complaining on Facebook or griping about it to the workers at Dollar Tree may let you blow off some steam, I do those things myself, but you can actually do something real to SOLVE the problem by filling out the form... Maybe you could even do it from your cell phone while you're waiting on a train...

They (the people at the FRA)  WANT to know things like - if it made you late for work - for your child getting to school - getting to the hospital for an emergency - even if it was just annoying because it sat for two hours and you couldn't easily get to the store because the single overpass in Galion was already blocked with people trying to get around.

I posted an earlier piece on this blocked railroad crossing study here, and it explains a bit more about how to fill out the form if you get stuck.

Here's a direct link to the FRA form on the PUCO website.

Galion Oktoberfest: Gone for This Year but Coming Back

Yesterday, the Galion Oktoberfest group and Experience Galion notified the public that there would be no Oktoberfest this year, after 40 years of hosting an Oktoberfest, and I was putting together a post about that....

After all, it's a really sad thing when a 40-year standing tradition falls by the wayside.

Original notice of Oktoberfest cancellation 2018

Galion Oktoberfest is Back On (for 2019)!

So today, I was really excited to see an update on Facebook from a stand-up Galion citizen, Jim Hedges, who has volunteered to take on the task of getting it set up for next year - SO - it's not gone forever!

I'll be back with updates when it's closer, but I wanted to let everyone know what's going on for now - to summarize - there's no 2018 Oktoberfest - but there will be a 2019 Oktoberfest thanks to Mr. Hedges.

The History of the Oktoberfest

While Galion's Oktoberfest only goes back 40 years, the history of the Oktoberfest goes back over 200 years, according to The History Channel.

The original Oktoberfest was the wedding celebration when Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen married the Bavarian Crown Prince Louis who later became King Louis I of Bavaria.

Horse races and other festivities marked the day, and today's Oktoberfest in its Bavarian home, now called Wies'n, begins in late September and (talk about knowing how to have a good time) goes on until the last Sunday in October.

(I have to admit, I ALWAYS wondered why on earth an Oktoberfest would be held in September - I mean - shouldn't the name really be Septemberfest if it isn't held in October?)

So, what are your plans for fall activities in Galion?

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