You see more and more solar panels on Dutch roofs. It’s a green way to generate energy, but getting started can be a tad tricky. That’s when you need to know this above all else.
Solar panels convert solar energy into electricity. They consist of multiple solar cells that capture sunlight and convert it into direct current. This direct current is then converted to alternating current, which we can use in our homes and buildings.
Before purchasing solar panels, you should be well informed. That way you know what suits you best. We’ll catch you up.
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How many solar panels should you buy?
The number of solar panels you buy depends on several factors. You can look at your budget and how many panels you can afford from that. You can also look at how many panels will fit on your roof and how much power you want to generate.
It is also good to know that it is best for the climate to purchase the solar panels as exactly as you need. For an average household, that’s 10, for example.
How much do you pay for solar panels?
Milieu Centraal calculated how much solar panels cost on average. For 6 solar panels you pay about 3,300 euros. If you want 10, you have to pay 5,000 euros. And for 18 you put away 8,000 euros. Unfortunately, there is no national subsidy for solar panels.
This is what solar panels yield
By installing solar panels, you can save on your energy bill every year. Every kilowatt hour (kWh) that you generate yourself with sunlight you no longer have to buy from your power company. And if you generate more power than you use right away, you can feed the excess back into the grid.
Thanks to the net-metering scheme, until 2025 you will receive the same compensation for the electricity you feed back as what you would normally pay to the power company. So it’s a win-win situation. In the table below, Milieu Centraal calculated exactly how much money you will earn from new solar panels.
Number of panels
Total price
Annual yield
Payback period
6
€ 3.300
€ 600
6.5 years
10
€ 5.000
€ 900
6 years
18
€ 8.000
€ 1.500
6.5 years
When do they work best?
Solar panels are most efficient in spring and summer, but also work fine in fall and winter. Even on cloudy days. They produce the most power when facing south with an inclination of 30-45 degrees. But they also do well when facing east or west.
If you have an east or west orientation, you get more power generation in the morning as well as in the afternoon than with a south orientation. This helps you spread the power generated better throughout the day, which is beneficial for your energy bill and the grid.
This is how good solar panels really are for the environment
Solar panels are not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment. They reduce the amount of CO2 emissions, contributing to a more sustainable world. A system of ten can prevent as much as 1,200 kg of CO2 emissions per year.
Of course, we must also take into account the CO2 emissions released in the production of solar panels, but even after subtracting them, we are still left with a significant savings of 1,000 kilograms of CO2 per year.
