Blog - Solar panels

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solar panel maintenance

How often do solar panels need maintenance?

23-09-2024 Shift to Solar Solar panels are known for being low-maintenance, but they are not completely maintenance-free. Although rain ensures that much dirt is washed away from the panels, dirt can accumulate. Think of bird droppings, stuck leaves, green deposits or other dirt. So to ensure that your solar panels continue to perform optimally, it is imperative that you maintain them regularly. In this article, we have compiled all the information you need to maintain your solar panels optimally. Do solar panels need a lot of maintenance? Typically, solar panels require little maintenance. Most types of solar panels are designed to provide energy for years without problems, without needing thorough maintenance. This is mainly due to the fact that panels have no moving parts, this makes them less prone to wear and tear. But, this doesn't mean you don't need to look after them. By regularly checking your solar panels, you can detect small problems early on before they lead to bigger problems. How important is it to maintain your panels properly? To keep your efficiency at its best, it is important to maintain your solar panels as well as possible. Although many panels

permit solar panels

Do you need a permit for solar panels?

08-09-2024 Shift to Solar Are you planning to install solar panels, but not sure whether you need an environmental permit to do so? In this article, we explain the rules and regulations surrounding the installation of solar panels. The answer to this question is not straightforward and depends on several factors. For instance, you need to take into account the location where the panels will be installed, and the type of building is also important. In this article, you will find all the information you need. How can you check whether you need a permit? You can easily check whether or not you need a permit with the Omgevingsloket's Permit Check. In this handy government tool, you can quickly see whether you need an environmental permit for your specific situation. You enter details about the location of the installation and your further plans for the solar panels. The tool then immediately gives you an indication of whether an environmental permit is needed. Rules for installing solar panels without a permit In most cases, as a private person, you do not need an environmental permit to install solar panels. However, there are specific regulations you need to comply with. Below we have listed the

roof not suitable for solar panels

What to do if your roof is not suitable for solar panels?

23-07-2024 Shift to Solar Do you want to become more sustainable with solar panels, but is your roof not suitable for this? This can be the case, for example, with listed buildings, outdated roofs or roofs with too little sun. And even if you live in a flat or rented house, panels are often not an option. Fortunately, there are alternatives you can consider if you would still like to use solar panels. Below, we share options for people who rent a house or flat and for people who want to own their own solar panels, but where the roof of their house is not suitable. Alternatives to rooftop solar panels If you do not have a roof or are not allowed to install solar panels, for example because you rent a property, there are a number of alternatives. One popular option is the post-coal box scheme. This involves joining an energy cooperative in your neighbourhood and investing in sustainable energy projects together with others. This gives you a 15-year discount on energy tax. A disadvantage, however, is that you can no longer benefit from the tax break after moving to another postcode area. Another option is to invest in solar panels on other people's roofs through your energy supplier. You will then benefit from the yield via your energy bill without

lifetime of solar panels

Life of solar panels: how long do they last?

16-07-2024 Shift to Solar Solar panels are a hefty investment. That's why you want to be sure that your solar panels will last a good while. What is the expected lifespan of solar panels and what should you pay attention to? Lifetime solar panels Solar panels usually last more than 25 years. In the first 10 years, they provide maximum yield. After that, the yield decreases slightly every year, this is called degradation. After 25 years, the efficiency of most solar panels drops to 80% and, depending on the manufacturer, the warranty expires. This can vary by type of solar panel and by provider, so always look carefully at the conditions that apply. Product warranty The product warranty, also called manufacturer's warranty, covers the quality and operation of the solar modules. This warranty ranges from 10 to 25 years, depending on the manufacturer. For inverters, the warranty is usually 5 to 10 years. Optimisers often have a 25-year warranty. Power guarantee The power guarantee indicates how much energy a solar panel still produces over time. Manufacturers usually guarantee that their panels will still deliver 80-85% of their original power after 25 years. Degradation solar panels per year The power output of solar panels thus gradually decreases over the first 25 years. Some degree of degradation is normal. All panels

electric car charging with solar panels

Charging electric car with solar panels, how does it work?

28-06-2024 Shift to Solar You can charge your electric car via a charging station; the electricity will simply come from the grid. But it is also possible to charge your electric car with green electricity from solar panels. The solar power is then distributed between your home and your charging station. How exactly does this work? And how many solar panels do you need for this? How many solar panels do I need to charge a car? This depends on the consumption of your car and the yield of your solar panels, but we can give an estimate. If you drive 15,000 km on an annual basis, you will need around 2,445 kWh. According to the Consumers' Association, new solar panels each produce around 300 kWh of electricity per year. An average electric car then needs 8 to 10 solar panels to run on solar power. Keep in mind that solar panels produce the most energy on sunny days, so not all year round. When is the best time to charge my car? It is best to charge a car when the sun is shining. This is when solar panels provide the most energy. But solar panels still generate power even in cloudy weather. Are you planning to charge your car at night?

balancing system solar panels roof

End of energy-saving scheme? These are the new cabinet's plans

18-06-2024 Shift to Solar The energy-saving scheme makes solar panels more attractive for many people. The previous cabinet wanted to phase out the energy-saving scheme step by step from 2025 to 2031, but the Senate voted against this bill. For a while that seemed like good news for solar panel owners, but now the new cabinet wants to abolish the balancing scheme altogether from 2027. Whether this will actually happen remains to be seen. What is the solar panel net-metering scheme? The net-metering scheme was created in 2004 to encourage the use of renewable energy. The net-metering scheme allows owners of solar panels to supply the electricity they generate but do not use directly to the grid. This returned energy is then deducted from the annual energy bill, with no energy tax payable on this amount. If you generate more electricity with your solar panels than you use yourself, you will receive compensation from your energy supplier for the surplus. This compensation is usually lower than the price you pay for consuming electricity. The exact fee can vary from supplier to supplier. Arguments for phasing out the net-metering scheme The government had plans to phase out the net-metering scheme from 2025 to zero by 2031. Minister Jetten proposed that the

roof suitable for solar panels or not

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

07-06-2024 Shift to Solar Want to install solar panels but not sure if your roof is suitable? Fortunately, solar panels are suitable for most roofs. However, there are some things to consider, such as the available space, the angle of inclination and possible shade. Read more about the possibilities for your roof. Do I have enough space for solar panels? This seems like a simple sum where you divide the area of your roof by the area of a solar panel (1.65 m2), but there is much more to it. For example, on a sloping roof, the panels must be 20 centimetres from the ridge and eaves. And for a flat roof, it is important that the panels are not placed too close together. An average area of 2.5 m2 per solar panel is then taken into account. You can do this check on Milieucentraal. To do this, you need the following information: Installing solar panels is a custom job. It is advisable to check with a professional to see whether there is enough space for solar panels and whether they will yield a sufficient return. You can always make a no-obligation appointment with our advisers. How much shadow falls on your roof It is always good to

types of solar panels bottom view

What types of solar panels are there?

27-05-2024 Shift to Solar Generating electricity is interesting for everyone. The return on solar panels is favourable. But what types of solar panels are there? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of solar panels? Choosing a solar panel obviously depends on what you need. Considerations such as price, panel quality and annual yield play a role. 4 types of solar panels Currently, there are 4 popular types of solar panels on the market. These solar panels are all photovoltaic solar panels and most of them are made of silicon, a material that can convert sunlight into electricity. The solar panels made of silicon are the polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels. There are also amorphous silicon panels also known as the thin film solar panels. The solar panels that have become the most popular in recent times are the glass-glass solar panels. What are good solar panels? In the table below, we compare the different types of solar panels. Polycrystalline solar panels Polycrystalline solar panels are also known as multicrystalline solar panels. These types of solar panels are made of remelted silicon crystals, which creates a blue colour and a unique pattern. Although they generate slightly less power than monocrystalline solar panels, they are more economical to buy. This makes them a popular

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