When it comes to solar energy, knowledge is key. It’s what will ensure your technology is the most efficient. It’s also what will keep you on budget. The more you know, the better, so read this article in full to find many great tips on using solar energy the right way.
If you are thinking about using solar power in your home, you must consider how much direct sunlight your home is actually exposed to. In order for solar energy to be worth it, your roof should have full sun exposure a minimum of 6 hours every day. You should also be wary of any areas of your roof covered by shade.
Do not think that taking advantage of solar energy requires you to completely tear off the roof. At the least, you’ll need to replace outside illumination with lamps and lights that run on solar energy. This type of lighting charges all day in the sun so that it can run through the night.
If you would like to partially “go solar”, think about smaller applications. There are a couple of ways you can achieve this. Foremost, you can use window-mounted solar panels for the energy needed to power small electronics. Also, you can maximize your camping adventure through lanterns that are solar powered. Each solar option you choose is one you will not have to pay for on your electric statement.
If you own a pool, consider using a solar water heating system to keep it warm in the cooler months. Solar heating is much less expensive than electric or even gas heating, and it is relatively easy to install. In the first year alone, you can save about thirty percent over the cost of heating your swimming pool with electricity.
Check that your solar panels will be mounted in a way that works with the climate you live in. Some areas are prone to cyclones and tornadoes, and it is important to choose a mounting system for your panels that can withstand high winds if you live in these areas. If you fail to do this, the first natural disaster could result in your panels becoming unattached and useless.
Think about the money that you send to your power companies each month. How would you like to keep that money in your pocket? Changing to solar power will do that for you. After you pay off the initial investment, the money you used to pay to the power company will stay in your wallet.
Once your solar panels are installed, you need to keep track of how much power you are producing and using on a daily basis. Invest in a quality monitoring system and look at the data as often as possible. If you notice your panels are not producing as much energy as usual, it might be time to clean them.
Find an easy location around your home to convert to solar energy and begin there. Start with smaller appliances, one at a time. Converting your home to solar energy little by little will help to take some of the financial burden of purchasing an entire system all at once away.
Solar panels can be quite pricey, so it is a good idea to buy just a few of them. Hire a service to perform an energy audit on your home. They can tell you how you are wasting power and help you figure out what to do differently. You will then need fewer panels.
If you are considering solar panels, check out the age of the items you are interested in. Recent panels are a lot more efficient, but there are vendors who still offer products that are not up to date. This older technology is more affordable but you will get much better results with a more recent product.
When considering installing solar panels, always check for local, state or federal incentives and rebates. The initial expense of solar panels can be costly so these incentives can be very helpful. Also consider the future saving and you will see that over time, your solar panels will pay for themselves.
When planning your panels, take into consideration the shadows that nearby trees may pass over the area. Solar panels usually need to be mounted high on the roof, in a location that is exposed to the sun for the longest period of time. However, what seems like a great spot may be covered in shade for a certain period of the day.
Low prices can be very attractive but keep in mind that solar panels and their installation is not cheap. If a vendor has extremely low prices, you are probably getting low quality equipment or even second hand equipment. It is best to invest in quality solar panels and hire a trustworthy contractor to install them.
Solar power could benefit you, even if you live in a region that sees a lot of clouds year-round. Many people are under the misconception that solar energy is only useful in areas that see a lot of sun. The current technology actually can use the energy that penetrates the clouds to power your home.
Talk to any friends or neighbors who have taken the plunge into solar energy. Ask them about what works well, what can potentially go wrong, and who they worked with that seemed top of their game. It’s this type of insider information that’ll help you make the right decisions moving forward.
Solar energy is not a bad investment just because certain companies have failed. You can save a great deal on your electric bills. Find solid solar energy providers who will stay in business, give you a good warranty and honor it, and you will have made a smart choice.
Solar energy is truly our friend, powering up electronics and keeping the Earth habitable by allowing us to use it sustainably. We all want to be green, and this is a great way to do it. Now that you know how to get started, all you have to do is get moving!
