With California's gorgeous weather, a home on the beach can allow you to take advantage of the sun and stunning ocean views virtually all year long. With that abundant sunshine, installing solar can be an easy and effective way to cut down on California's notoriously high electricity costs, which tend to be about 26% higher than the national average. However, many homeowners have concerns over whether a solar system can survive an oceanfront environment and how the weather affects energy output. Our solar experts at Simply Solar are here to help with answers to all of your solar panel questions.
Solar in California & the Bay Area
California receives over 27% of its electricity from solar power, with more than 43 megawatts of capacity installed. This makes it the national leader in solar power. With its clear weather and about 5 kilowatt-hours of solar irradiance per square meter, the Bay Area offers exceptional solar generating capabilities. Even if you are directly on the coast, where the occasional rainstorm, fog, or cloud may shade the panels, installing solar panels is a good option that can produce a large amount of energy.
The Effects of a Saltwater Environment on Solar
Oceanfront properties offer enviable access to the beach and the ocean, but their proximity to salt water can mean that metals like steel are extremely vulnerable to corrosion. Without proper protection, salt spray can reduce steel components to flaky rust in a short time.
Fortunately, solar panels are highly resistant to corrosion. They feature vacuum-sealed solar cells and an aluminum frame that will not decay in the presence of salt like other metals. Most solar panel brands and models have passed the IEC 61701 Salt Mist Corrosion Test and are certified to work well in a coastal environment. This test simulates the harsh conditions of an oceanfront solar installation, complete with salt spray, moisture, and variable temperatures.
How Weather Impacts Energy Output
The Bay Area tends to have relatively clear, dry weather, though there can be the occasional cloudy day, rainstorm, or thunderstorm. And, on cooler days, heavy fog can sometimes descend over the area during the morning, generally clearing up by noon.
Although solar output will be reduced on these days with less-than-perfect weather, the abundance of sunny days easily makes up for the loss. You can also install solar batteries to ensure you still have access to the energy produced even when the sun isn’t shining.
Should You Add Solar to Your Beachfront Home?
Even with the corrosive environment and the occasional inclement weather, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for any oceanfront home. It can dramatically reduce your electricity costs while providing you with green, renewable energy. Plus, with California's 2020 Solar Mandate, all new single-family homes built will need to have a full solar system installed that is sized to meet the home’s annual electricity needs. The goal of this mandate is to help reduce the load on the utility grid and to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly energy sources.
Adding solar is an easy way to keep your electricity costs as low as possible for your beachfront home. Just make sure your solar panels are certified to meet IEC 61701 standards for exposure to salt spray.
Residential Solar Installations in the Bay Area
Are you ready to add solar to your beachfront home? Talk to our team at Simply Solar. We can design and install a solar system that is suited to your energy needs, and we offer battery storage systems that let you use power during blackouts and help you become more energy-independent. Our solar systems use the highest-quality components, and they are backed by a 25-year workmanship warranty.
To request your FREE estimate for a solar system installation in the Bay Area, Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, or Fresno, call Simply Solar at (707) 285-7037 today.
