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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

wooden shed lifetime

How long will a carport or canopy last?

10-07-2024 Shift to Solar When buying a carport or canopy, longevity plays a big role. Which material should you choose? Wood and aluminium each have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of durability and maintenance. Moreover, more and more people choose to install solar panels on their canopy, which also have a certain lifespan. So it is important to look not only at the initial cost, but also at how long your investment will last. In this blog, we explain these aspects. Lifetime wooden canopy A wooden canopy is often cheaper than an aluminium one, but it generally does not last as long. On average, a wooden roofing has a lifespan of about 25 years. However, this strongly depends on the type of wood and maintenance. European standard EN-350:2016 classifies wood species based on their natural resistance to fungi and insects. This standard classifies wood species into five classes: Douglas wood, for example, falls into class 3. This means it will last 10 to 15 years untreated. Above ground, it will last longer. Indeed, with the right care, a Douglas canopy has a lifespan of 25 years or more. Durability is an important consideration for us. For our products we use

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?

steel carport with dimensions for 2 cars

Carport dimensions: how high and wide should a carport be?

21-06-2024 Shift to Solar Are you looking for the perfect carport for your car? Then you need to think carefully about the dimensions. How high and how wide your carport should be depends on the size of your car or vehicle. Your other requirements also play a role. Read more about the minimum dimensions for different types of carports and what to look out for. The ideal length and width for a carport For most cars, we recommend a carport that is at least 5.2 metres long and 3.5 metres wide. This ensures easy parking and that you stay dry when getting in and out. Our standard carport kits therefore have the following dimensions: Of course, your car may be larger or smaller than the average passenger car. The recommended dimensions may then differ from those outlined above. Or maybe you want to park a completely different vehicle under the carport, such as a caravan or motorhome. In such cases, customisation may be required. We always think along with you to find a solution that fits your specific situation perfectly. Feel free to contact us! How high should a carport be? The

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

wooden carport at home

Do I need a permit for a carport?

07-05-2024 Shift to Solar Are you planning to add a carport to your home, but are faced with the pressing question: do I need a permit? This depends on several factors, such as the dimensions of the structure, its location on the plot (front or rear yard area) and local regulations. From 1 January 2024, the new Environment Act will come into force, replacing all previous legislation in this area. Usually, no permit is needed if your carport is smaller than 30 square metres and no higher than 3 metres. The carport must be placed in the rear yard area of the house. However, a permit is often required for structures in the front yard area. The advice is to hire a professional to submit permit applications. We can take this off your hands in its entirety. Front or rear yard area? If you are planning to have a carport installed, it is important to know whether you want to do so in the front or rear yard area, as the rules for permits differ. In general, building a carport in the front yard area is more likely to require an environmental permit. This is because structures in this area affect the street scene more and stricter rules apply

home preservation

6 ways to make your home more sustainable

29-04-2024 Shift to Solar Making your home more sustainable can lead to significant savings on your energy bills. Good for yourself and for the environment. But where do you start? In this blog, we present six effective ways to make your home more sustainable. The figures on savings are based on an average duplex or an average household, as calculated by Milieu Centraal. If you live in a corner or detached house, the savings can be much higher. Solar panels: €900 savings per year When thinking about making your home more sustainable, solar panels often come up as one of the first and most attractive options. Not only can solar panels provide significant savings on your energy bills, they also offer protection against ever-rising energy prices. We estimate that with 10 solar panels, you will save around 900 euros annually. In recent years, solar panels have become increasingly affordable. Moreover, the current net-metering scheme makes it even more attractive to invest in solar energy. This scheme allows you to feed the electricity you do not use directly back into the grid, saving even more. The payback period for solar panels is now around 6 to 7 years. > Read more about Shift to Solar's solar panels Is your roof not

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