We love the heat of the sun on our face. We struggle to navigate after the sun goes down. We rely on the sun for so many things, including using its power to energize our appliances. Read on to find out how to best use solar energy within your own projects.
How many panels you have in place and their efficiency will determine output. You can do some simple calculations to determine the right number of panels. It may be more cost effective to purchase more efficient panels.
Solar energy through the use of solar panels can last up to 30 years. It is a long-lived use of energy and requires very little maintenance on your part. Since there are no movable parts, solar-energy panels don’t break or need repair. This can provide years of electricity bill savings.
Your solar energy system needs to be exposed to the sun at all times. Most homeowners have their solar panels installed on their roof but you could also have some panels installed on your front lawn. Do not hesitate to cut a few trees to avoid shadows and have a professional help you determine the best place for your panels.
Switching to solar energy can save a ton on your electric bill. Solar power is absorbed through panels that are properly positioned on your roof. It is especially convenient if you live in an area that gets a long of sun. This will provide usable energy to your home in a much cheaper fashion than conventional electricity.
Position solar panels on the east or west side of your home or business. Since the sun travels from east to west throughout the day, placing solar panels on areas of your roof that face north or south is a waste. You’ll get much better energy returns by following the same path as the sun.
Before you pull the trigger and buy a system, take a look at how long the manufacturer guarantees the product for. You want a fairly long warranty because the system will have to pay for itself over time and help you begin to generate a profit. Therefore, make sure the warranty is for at least 25 years.
Don’t waste your time with pushy salespeople. Take all the time you need to ask questions, do some research and compare different options before investing in a solar energy system. Buying under pressure is not good concerning the price and importance of your decision.
You should find solar panel vendors located in your area and have them inspect your property to determine what kind of panels would be best for you and how many panels will be needed. There are many vendors on the Internet but working with a professional located in another state means they might not be familiar with weather conditions.
Consider complementing your solar panels with other forms of energy production. Aside from night, your solar panels are least productive when it is cloudy, which usually means winds, rain or both. Put in some small wind turbines on your roof and micro-hydroelectric generators at ends of gutters for some power production when solar panels are not up and running.
Pay close attention to local weather when you initially begin considering a solar installation. For ample energy production, your panels must have five hours of good sun daily. For example, solar energy may not be your best bet if you live an area where most days are snowy, mostly cloudy or foggy.
When you create your own solar power, you can actually make money off the process. It is possible for you to sell your extra power to an energy company in your area. If you think you would be interested in this, get in touch with your local power company and talk to them about how it would work.
Solar panels should be repositioned seasonally, or four times yearly. When the season changes, the sunlight hits your home from a different direction. When you change these angles, you can capture more energy and save more on your investment.
If you are considering installing a solar panel system, it is important that the panel faces in the sun’s direction. Although this seems obvious, you would be surprised how many people forget this step. If your panel does not have sun, it won’t power up. If you live in the Northern hemisphere, your panel should face South towards the horizon.
If you lease solar panels to save the upfront costs, check the contract for the possibility of transferring the lease. If you sell your home or building that panels are installed in within the lease period, you want to be able to legally transfer the lease to the new owners of the property.
Using the energy of the sun is a clean way to power the things we use. It’s also sustainable as the energy never runs out. One hopes that technology will continue to progress so that everyone can use this energy. For now, you’re planning to use it yourself, and that is a step in the right direction.
Bristol CT