Underground Journal

A Solar Patio Cover For Green Living

As far as green living goes, you have many options.  In this article, we are going to address your patio space as a place to go green.  You may be someone who already appreciates the benefits of a sustainable lifestyle.  If so, you probably recycle and do your other civic duties to help support and protect our environment.  But, let’s face it, many of these things don’t save us money directly or in any way that we appreciate as our own.  Now you can.  With a solar patio cover, you can not only save money but benefit from the shade it provides for your patio.  The most common type of solar application is the photovoltaic (PV) panel system.  These are those rectangular-shaped panels that are fitted to a fixed object, like posts in the ground or, in this case, your patio roof.

These solar panels collect the energy from the sun’s rays and then convert that into electrical energy that you can use in your home.  Depending upon the size of your solar installation, it may or may not be enough to create any real dent in your demand.  This is why solar has not made quite the impact it has the ability to make.  The cost of a solar application, often in the thousands to tens of thousands doesn’t always appear to have any real ‘payback’ in the short-term.  Since many of us make decisions based upon our current perspective, solar has not always been that attractive.  However, as energy costs continue to rise, solar is becoming a more and more attractive option.  Combine this with tax incentives and breaks from the government and you’ve got a new situation entirely.

So, what can you expect to produce with a patio roof solar application?  Well, most patio covers sit ‘dormant’ with only wood members or tile for their life, so any production of energy would be a bonus.  On a typical sized patio roof of 300-500 square feet, you might expect a production capability of 250-400 kwh.  This will not run your neighborhood, but it can be used to power some of your patio features or be put back into the grid to offset your home’s utility costs.  The use of solar power with your patio is a great way to get some solar energy power use.

Brought to you by your friends at Patio Covers Place

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