Solar energy is among the fastest growing forms of alternative energy in the world. It can help you save money and it is great for the environment. If you are thinking about installing solar panels in your home, this article is for you. Read on and learn everything you need to about residential solar energy.
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.
Are your energy bills getting a little out of control these days? If you are tired of paying costly energy bills then it is time to switch to solar energy. It might cost a little more upfront, but will ultimately end up saving you a ton of money in the long run.
If you decide to put solar energy panels on your home, remember to keep them clean. Your solar panels must reflect the sun’s rays in order to store the sun’s energy for use in your home or business. If they are dirty, they can not effectively do this. By keeping them clean, you will get the most bang for your buck!
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.
Find out if your local energy provider offers meter rollback programs. Once you have a solar energy system, you should consider joining one of these programs so you can sell the energy you produce to the main grid and draw the same amount of energy instead of purchasing an expensive battery system to store your power.
If your solar panels have problems, you are smart to have a backup system in place. One good option is a generator, but you can still stay connected to a main power grid to get power whenever your panels are not working. The drawback to using a generator is that it will not be able to power your entire home, so you might need a few depending on the size of your home.
Purchase batteries to store excess solar energy. These batteries are similar to rechargeable batteries; however, they use the sun’s energy to power up the batteries. This energy can be used in the evenings and at night to help power your appliances, televisions and lighting requirements. These batteries are relatively inexpensive making them a great choice for the beginner.
Have solar panels installed in the best positions to get more sun during the whole year. If you do not know how to position them efficiently, look at the direction that the sun travels and think about how that changes with the seasons.
Know how light mixes with the trees around your property. You may think you’ve got the perfect spot for a solar panel, but watch it throughout the day. The sun coming in from different angles may lead to surprising shadows from trees and foliage. This will affect your solar output.
One major advantage of solar power is that there are a wide range of systems on the market. While there are those that are very expensive, others are quite affordable. Therefore, regardless of your income level, you can afford to set up a solar power system. You just need to do your research and figure out what product is best for you.
Solar water heaters have been around for hundreds of years. For over 50 years people have been using them to heat everything inside and outside the home. Over the years, these solar water heating systems have become much more efficient. If you are located in sunny areas of the country, you should look into buying a solar water system.
Panels have to face the sun to draw power. The panels must be oriented so that they collect as many of the sun’s rays as possible for maximum energy production.
Some vendors claim that they have panels able of generating power in the shade. It is true that certain technologies such as thin film panels are more efficient than other products when the sky is overcast, but keep in mind that producing solar energy in the full shade is absolutely impossible.
The mounting system of your panels should be adapted to your area. If your home is often exposed to strong winds, earthquakes or even tornadoes, you need to find a mounting system that can withstand these extreme conditions. Contact your local government to find out more regarding regulations on solar panel mounts.
Those of you how already have solar panels installed would be wise to take seasons into consideration. You should alter the positioning of your solar panels during each season so as to maximize their efficiency. Generally, you are going to get a lower output during the winter months than you do during the summer.
As was mentioned earlier in this article, solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity as a form of alternative energy. Use the tips mentioned above to help you make an informed decision whether or not to invest in this technology. At the end of the day you can do your part to save the environment while spending less on power at the same time.
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