How Does Solar Work?

May 18

3 min read

In San Antonio, the sun shines for over 220 days a year, yet most homes still rely on the grid.

Meanwhile, CPS Energy has raised rates multiple times over the past few years, leaving residents frustrated and searching for better options.

What if the very thing heating your home could also power it—cleanly and affordably?

Solar energy is changing the way San Antonians think about electricity.

Let’s break down exactly how solar works and why it’s worth considering.

What is Solar Energy and How Does it Work?

Solar energy turns sunshine into electricity for your home—no smoke, noise, or pollution.

Here's the simple breakdown:

Your roof panels have special cells made from silicon (the stuff in ordinary sand). Where does this power go? First, to your home's appliances. Extra electricity either charges batteries for nighttime use or flows back to the city's power grid, where you get credit for it!

Solar works even on cloudy days, though sunny days produce more power. The best part? Once installed, your system quietly makes free electricity for decades with almost no maintenance, slashing your energy bills month after month.

What Happens to Extra Solar Energy? Net Metering in San Antonio

When your San Antonio solar panels make more power than you need, the extra electricity goes to the city's power grid. This system is called net metering.

CPS Energy gives you credits for this extra electricity. These credits cut your bill when you need grid power - like at night or on cloudy days when your panels aren't making enough power.

This system makes your solar panels worth more. On bright summer days, you earn extra credits that help cover your costs during darker times.

Net metering lets you use all the power your panels make, even if you don't need it right away. This boosts your savings all year long and makes solar a smarter choice for your energy needs.

The Role of Home Batteries in Storing Solar Energy

Home batteries change how solar power works. Instead of giving extra power to the city, these batteries keep it right at your home for later.

When sunny days make your panels produce more power than you need, your battery fills up. Then, when night falls or clouds roll in, you can use your stored power instead of buying electricity from the power company. It's like having your own personal power station.

Key benefits of home batteries include:

• Power during outages when the grid goes down

• Using more of your own solar power instead of selling it back

• Reducing your electricity bills even further

• Less reliance on utility companies

For many homeowners, batteries complete the solar power explained, transforming it from a daytime-only solution to a 24-hour energy system.

How Much Can You Save with Solar in San Antonio?

Thinking about going solar in San Antonio? Here's what you should know about the potential savings:

Right now, San Antonio families are paying a hefty $170 each month for electricity, on average. Most homes burn through between 1,100 and 1,300 kWh monthly.

CPS Energy charges about 12 cents for each kilowatt-hour of electricity you use – that's higher than what most Texans and Americans pay elsewhere.

And these rates aren't going down – they've actually been climbing higher recently, putting more strain on your wallet.

A standard 5 kW solar panel system costs around $10,080 after you factor in all those nice tax breaks.

Once installed, this system slashes your electric bill by approximately $125 every month – practically wiping out your utility costs.

Do the math over 20 years, and you're looking at roughly $20,000 in total savings. Even better, the system pays for itself in just 7 years, and over its full 25-year lifespan, your total savings could balloon beyond $30,000.

CPS Energy's billing system works like this: they'll credit you the full 12 cents per kWh for all the solar electricity you produce, up to what your home consumes each month.

If your panels generate more power than you need, you'll only get 2 cents per kWh for that excess. This is why it's smart to get a system sized closely to what your home actually uses.

In summary, installing solar panels in San Antonio makes brilliant financial sense for most homeowners.

While there's certainly an upfront investment to get started, the long-term savings are substantial and continue growing over time.

With utility rates consistently rising, solar gives you a way to take control of your energy costs while also doing something positive for the environment.