The Earth has a lot to offer us, but we have to take advantage of it. One such thing our planet can give us is solar energy. The sun creates energy that we can use for many different things. Continue reading to learn more about this wonderful energy option.
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.
As you comparison shop for solar power systems, remember that not all brands were created equal. You want to go with a product that has a reputable manufacturer. It is wonderful if another brand offers a substantial warranty or a great discount, but those things won’t help you very much if the company goes out of business in a few years.
To help keep your solar energy panels running efficiently, keep a record of your solar panels performance. On this record, note when the days are overcast and how much energy your panels produced. This will help you plan your energy consumption better. For example, if the forecast is cloudy, then you should wait to do household chores that use a lot of energy.
As a business entrepreneur, you want people to look at your business in the best possible light. One way to show your customers and potential customers that you are doing your part to be eco-friendly is by choosing to run your business with solar energy. This will help appeal to those who are conscientious about the earth.
There are many companies who claim to be specialists in solar conversion. However, it is up to you to confirm that they have the proper qualifications and credentials. Check with the Better Business Bureau for their current business standing. Do an online search for any reviews. If you turn up any negative information, look for another service.
Have you ever been without power during a winter storm, resulting in you freezing and all your refrigerated food going bad? Instead of using a generator which will only run some of the power in your house, use solar energy. Swapping over your system can really help you to prevent power failures in the future.
Don’t assume that just because a company sells and installs solar panels means they are good and trustworthy people. Shop around. Get a minimum of three quotes. Read all contracts. Check backgrounds of potential contractors. Deal with this like any other home-improvement project that you would otherwise do.
Experiment with various angles and placements, monitoring the power stored on a daily basis and making changes as necessary. Any angle might be acceptable, but there are times when a small tweak in the position can have a noticeable impact. Try different options and stick with the spot that works best.
Always look for a good and qualified contractor to install your solar system. Just because you are having a new technology installed on your home, does not mean that you should look for new contractors. The type of work is very specialized and having a quality contractor with a proven track record is critical to having your system installed properly
Decide whether you want to be on or off the power grid. Many people look forward to getting “off the grid” when they switch to solar power, however this may not be the best choice. Staying on your power grid means that when you have poor sunlight conditions you have the ability to purchase additional power when you need it. As a bonus, when you produce more power than you use, you can sell the excess back to the utilities.
Have a clear understanding of your daily energy consumption before purchasing a solar electricity system for your home. Solar panels can be costly, and understanding how many you need is important. How many you need will be based on the overall daily energy consumption of your home and family, so having this information is vital in making a smart purchase.
Don’t allow the first store you visit to convince you that their solar panels are the best. It may seem that solar cells are typically the same wherever you go, but there is actually a big difference across the market and it’s easy to miss the important statistics. Pay attention to wattage, size, and cost on each option.
Before you start to use solar energy to power your home, you should get an energy audit. The audit will give you an idea of how much energy your home uses on a regular basis. Once you know this, you’ll be able to get a system that can provide as much solar energy as possible for your home.
Make sure your solar panels aren’t shaded. You need to be sure that there is nothing new shading your panels either. If there’s something like a tree in the way, it should be trimmed. Panels work exponentially, so having a fourth of a panel shaded can actually make you lose half of its output. If your panels can’t get any sun, you’re losing money.
Get smaller solar panels to power your indoor appliances. There are some very affordable solar panels that you can bring into your home. Some of the devices you can power with solar power include your alarm clock, your coffee maker and even your iPod. Check out smaller panels to see how you can use solar energy even if you aren’t sold on the bigger panels yet.
To help you receive the maximum benefits from your solar energy, choose energy efficient appliances and light bulbs. Solar power can be used to heat the water needed for your showers, laundry and dishes. Solar heating can be used to heat or supplement your current heating. Also, solar energy can be used to help light the exterior of your home.
Taking advantage of the sun’s energy is not only helpful to us, but also helpful to the environment. Use what you learned here to help you make an informed choice. The energy from the sun can give you energy for the different things you need, just learn more about it.
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