Most people know little more than the basics of solar power. Most people don’t know about what solar energy requires. The more you know about solar energy, the easier the decision will be. Read on to find out the important aspects of solar energy.
To maximize the effectiveness of your solar panels, opt for installations that are independent of the sun’s movement. Newer systems can store energy from the sun while it is up, and then let you use that energy later. This is very convenient when the nighttime comes.
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.
Leasing a solar system is an option if up-front costs are prohibitive. In the long run, buying a solar energy system is always the better option, however leasing can still result in lower bills overall. Leasing a system will let you take advantage of the energy savings right away, however be aware that you can be stuck with your contract for up to 10 years.
If you find that you cannot afford solar panels at the moment, you should stay up to date with new products and technologies. Scientists are regularly coming up with new technologies and materials that can be used to build more efficient and affordable panels, which means solar energy should become a more efficient solution in the future.
Crunch your numbers before investing in solar panels for your home. Depending on your location, the costs of solar panels will outweigh the potential output of your system. If you jump into solar energy without the proper research, you may end up with a costly mistake.
Solar energy systems just get better and better as the years pass. What used to cost a small fortune now has lowered to the point where many consumers can afford them. Whether you want a large or small system, you can find the perfect fit for your home.
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.
If you have animals that require electric fencing to contain them, use solar powered fencing units to provide power for them. A great advantage to these systems is that they are completely mobile, and can be easily moved. If you are a horse owner who enjoys overnight horse-camping, the fencer can be easily taken along.
You should not consider investing in green energies unless you are ready to spend at least fifteen years in your home. Paying off your solar energy system will take you years and the return on your investment will depend on how long you stay in the same home and keep using the solar energy system.
Check with your local power company as to whether they have a program to buy excess electricity collected by your solar panels. Some utility companies will give homeowners credits to apply to any energy provided to them. These programs are becoming more available as more and more people install solar panels on their home.
When you are serious about your move to solar energy and begin using panels that sink more than 6 watts, invest in a solar controller. These small controls help maximize the efficiency of the charge cycle and prevent any wasted overcharging from occurring. When there is a lot of energy at stake, these are a must have for your solar-home.
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.
Consider a grid tied solar panel system to optimize the financial savings this green energy source can offer you. When you do this, you will be able to sell your excess energy to your local utility. This can mean offsetting the installation costs and getting your money back faster.
An alternate type of solar panel recently developed is a photovoltaic panel. This type of panel uses the sun’s energy to produce electricity. This electricity can be used to power anything in your home that is uses it, or it can be stored in batteries. These panels can be considerably more expensive than the original solar panel.
Use winter sunshine hours instead of summer hours whenever you are calculating how many solar panels you will need. This is because winter sunshine hours only add up to about half that of summer. It is better to overestimate how many panels you will need rather than underestimate. If you underestimate, you will end up losing power when you need it.
The working of solar energy is unknown to most people. Now, though, you should have an idea about how it works. Perhaps you already know about the benefits to be had by choosing to use solar energy. Keep this information in mind when choosing to use solar energy.
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Schaumburg IL
