How do you feel about solar energy? For some, the idea that the sun can power everything they need can seem too good to be true. There’s no reason to be doubtful of what solar energy can do. If you’re feeling skeptical about solar energy, try reading the following article, as it may change your mind.
Keep the trees around your solar energy panels trimmed. Shade from trees can limit the sun’s rays that are hitting your panels, thereby causing your panels to work less effectively. In order to avoid this problem, make sure to trim back leaves and branches regularly. This is easy to do, and it is cost effective too.
Remember that leasing a solar energy system may be a good idea; however, you must be sure you can transfer the lease should you choose to move. You don’t want to have to pay off your solar energy system lease when you are living somewhere else! A transfer option allows you to put the lease in the name of the new owners.
Make sure that any solar panels you put up are actually cost effective. While the installation cost can be dented with government assistance, you need to know how long it will take for energy savings to return your investment. Also factor in that you are not likely to get the same amount of power every single month.
Although the initial cost of solar panels can be quite expensive, you need to think in terms of future savings. Once your initial investment is paid off, you will never have to be dependent on another energy company again. This is because you will get all the energy you need from the sun.
You can take advantage of solar power with solar panels. The layout of your home could help you save on energy by maximizing your exposure to the sun. Consider making some changes to your home such as adding large windows so you can benefit from natural light and warmth from the sun.
When you’re planning on installing a solar energy system, you should shop around and get a few quotes. You’ll be able to see how much prices vary between providers. While you shouldn’t be completely swayed by price, it’s crucial that you don’t just go for the cheapest since cheaper components can cost you a lot more later.
If you are building a vacation, rental or retirement home in a rural area, solar power can make a lot of sense. It can spare you the cost of a power line being routed to your home. At the very least it can give you some power in the case of local grid outages, as rural areas have power restored far more slowly than what you might be used to in a city.
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.
While solar panels can continue to work on days when it is not sunny, you should not have them installed if you live in an area that is cloudy most of the time. The amount of energy you save with them will not be worth the amount you paid for them.
Carefully consider the types of solar panels you plan on having installed. Long ago, if you didn’t have enough roof space, you’d need very expensive high efficiency mono-crystalline panels. There are now more advanced polycrystalline panels and even thin film panels. If you’ve got enough roof space, you might wish to look at the size of the panels in relation to their output capacity to avoid having insufficient panels that you need more of later.
Do not rush in selecting the first solar power system you come across. Before you make a commitment with a company, you need to make sure you cannot find any better deals elsewhere. Check out your town’s federal, state, and local incentives first. You can find this information at the DSIRE database.
For families with four people, a solar energy system should produce approximately 5,000 kilowatts. This allows you to wash and dry five loads of laundry a week, run the dishwasher five times a day and power multiple televisions and lights. When deciding on the system, choose one larger than what you think you need. You can always sell the extra power produced to the electric company.
The normal price range for solar energy systems is between four and six thousand dollars. This can help you stay green for a long time to come. When you have to think about solar panels, you can do one panel at a time, too.
Make sure that you get on the roof to look at your solar panels at least once each month. You want to check and verify that they are still clean. If they are not, they are not producing as much energy as they could. Clean them if needed and watch your energy bills drop or even disappear.
Hopefully after reading this article, your doubts about solar energy are gone. The technology behind solar energy is so advanced that it can power your home and so much more. Rather than feeling doubtful, you can feel hopeful about solar energy. Remember this article and prepare to let solar energy work for you.
Waukegan IL
