A move from traditional fossil fuels to a renewable source of energy is not something to be taken lightly. There are costs involved and variables, such as location and funding that influence the outcome. Solar energy is always a better solution in the long-run and when you do make the change, the tips below will only help increase the savings and improve your experience.
Know that solar panels do not immediately mean free energy forever. You need to be mindful of the fact that solar installations often carry a large up-front price tag. However, you also need to balance that with how much energy you can save over the long run, government incentives and the possibility of selling your excess power into the grid.
Before you invest in a solar energy system, find other homeowners in your areas who use solar panels. Ask them how much energy they are able to generate thanks to their system and find out how much the installation cost them. This will give you a better idea of what to expect.
Solar energy systems allow you to cut your ties to the outside world. You can go completely off grid with one of these systems. You will not have to pay monthly fees or wonder who is watching your power use. You can increase your level of privacy while saving the environment and your money.
Make sure that your solar panels are installed in a way so that they get the most sun possible throughout the entire year. Invest in a sun tracker and an adjustable mount so you can change the angle of your panels throughout the day or change their orientation for each new season.
Do not clean your solar panels with abrasive chemicals. You should use some lukewarm water, a soft cloth and some biodegradable soap if needed. Clean your panels at least once a month or more frequently if you notice your green energy system is not producing as much power as it should.
The best time to purchase a complete solar power system is once you fully own your home. If you still make payments on the home, your panels will be an extra financial burden, and if you can’t make your house payments anymore, you may lose both investments.
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.
Solar panels don’t come cheap, so you may end up getting just a few of them to meet your needs. Hire an energy auditor to visit your home and see how energy is used. This can give you a good idea of whether you are wasting money or not. This may reduce the number of solar panels that you’ll need to install.
The benefits of using solar power can extend into your tax bill. Many areas around the United States are pushing heavily for solar-energy use, and due to this, they are willing to give you a discount on your taxes if you install a system in your home or business.
Have your system inspected bi-annually to keep it running its best. This check involves examination of the connections as a means to make sure that the panels are angled properly and that the power inverter remains in good working order.
Be mindful about opening your curtains. If you want the room to stay cool in the summer, leave your curtains drawn on warm days. If you want it to warm up in that space, open the curtains and let the sun flood in. This can be an easy way to help control temperature without touching a thermostat.
Low prices can be very attractive but keep in mind that solar panels and their installation is not cheap. If a vendor has extremely low prices, you are probably getting low quality equipment or even second hand equipment. It is best to invest in quality solar panels and hire a trustworthy contractor to install them.
Grid-tied solar energy systems are perhaps the most efficient means of harnessing the power of the sun. Using a grid-tied system allows you to sell extra energy that you do not need back to the power company. You can use this money to offset the money you paid to have your system installed.
You have likely already made the choice to remove your reliance on fossil fuels and start a new life using solar energy as your main source of power. The technology used today is less-harmful on the environment and more efficient than what was in use years ago. Breakthroughs occur every day and every day you could be saving even more.
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