When you run around o
utside, enjoying the heat of a summer’s day or the bright light at noon, you can thank the sun for your joy. Whether you’re sunbathing on a beach or driving, the sun is what gives you the ability to do so. Using solar energy is another great perk, and this article will tell you how it’s done.
East Providence Solar Company RI
Your home or business should receive at least five hours of direct sunlight per day to get the most from solar energy. Obviously more sun is better when it comes to solar panels, however if you get less than this solar energy can still be a viable option. If you are in an area where energy bills are sky high, solar might still save you money even if you don’t have the optimal sun exposure.
Get the records from your energy company on how much energy you have used in the last five years. You can then use this information to figure out exactly how much power you will need solar energy to provide for you home. Having the past five years is important so that you can see that some years you will need more energy than others.
Be prepared to keep your solar panels clean. The dirtier they get, the less efficient they are at generating power. While it is true that rain and wind can often take care of a lot of this for you, you do need to get up there sometimes and dust them off yourself.
A great option for solar electricity would be a sun-tracking panel system. This system shifts the solar panels throughout the day so that your panels can absorb the maximum amount of energy. Solar tracking systems may be more expensive initially, but they pay off with the extra energy they produce.
You can get hefty credits from the government if you switch to solar energy. You might get as much as 30% of the installation cost back! Check online to learn more.
To get the best performance out of your solar panels during the summer, you’ll want to adjust them to be as flat as possible. Even so, the heat during the summer months will cause a performance reduction in most solar panels. Budget for this drop in electricity generation when developing your solar energy plan.
Check for government certification on any solar panel you are considering buying. Consider this tip a must. The government’s seal of approval lets you know that these panels are deemed quality and efficient. Plus, some of the financial benefits of using solar panels (tax credits, etc.) rely on using certified panels.
Think about heating your hot tub or pool water with solar energy. These devices are some of the most energy consuming things that people have in their homes these days. If you use solar energy instead of standard energy to power these you could greatly reduce your carbon footprint and save money in the end.
Outdoor lighting fixtures can be completely powered by solar energy. Search for outdoor fixtures that collect energy from the sun during the day and release it after dark. While these fixtures do not require a lot of energy, these systems are very convenient because there are no electrical wires to run or short out.
If you have a pool, don’t even think of heating it any other way than solar! This is easily the most efficient use of solar power there is and it will save you a bundle. Solar heating systems cost about the same or less than conventional systems and basically operate themselves so stop wasting your money doing it the old-fashioned way!
Consider selling extra energy back to your local utilities. If you live in an area of abundant sunshine, you may be able to not only save money on your power, but earn a little extra too. Many power companies allow solar energy users to sell extra power back to them, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity.
Set up time every few years to clean the areas around your solar panels. These panels don’t take a lot of maintenance, but you want to upkeep the area around them so that you lower the potential for issues. Clean out leaves, remove any debris, and test all of the fittings to make sure all is well.
Check into all of your potential rebates. You know there are rebates, correct? The government (in certain states) has a bunch of ways that they’ll reward you for taking the solar energy plunge. And there are also benefits during tax season. Look into them all so you’ll get every penny coming back to you.
If you are going to invest a lot of money into solar panels, you should make sure that you pay for monitoring services. This type of service will make sure that things are working as they should be. You can usually access the information by phone, computer or a wall-mounted device.
Do you have some outside lights for your home? You should consider using solar panels to power them. An outside light system can easily be powered by one or two solar panel and you will see a difference on your energy bills right away. Make sure you use energy-efficient light-bulbs for your outside light and you will save even more.
Solar panels are very durable. In fact, their lifespan is generally estimated at a little more than 30 years. They are specifically designed to be placed on a roof, so they are well-made and can handle things like rain and snow. Because they last so long, you should feel confident that you will make a profit off of them eventually.
The sun helps us in so many ways, and with these ideas in your mind, you should be able to use it to power your life, too. Just make use of what you’ve learned and you’ll find no struggle in obtaining solar power. Then you can switch from the grid to self-sufficiency.
East Providence Solar Company RI
East Providence RI
