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.
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels to generate your own electricity, make sure that the roof you’ll be installing them on gets plenty of good sunlight. Good sunlight occurs between 9am and 3pm. You’ll generate the most electricity if your roof receives full, exposed sunlight between those hours every day.
The efficiency of a solar energy system varies a lot depending on its exposure to the sun. If you live in a sunny area, your system should produce enough energy to cover all your needs but solar energy might not be such a good investment if you live in an area where the sky is usually filled with clouds.
Talk to your local government about doing any major solar installations in your home or business. You want to be properly permitted and within building, zoning and construction codes and regulations. However, you may also discover tax credits, rebates and other financial incentives. They may also have data and information about how well certain solar technologies work in your area.
Before purchasing solar panels, check the track record of the company that is selling them. Many panels come with lengthy warranty periods of up to twenty five years, but this warranty is only good if the company is still in business. Make sure to ask how long the company has been in operation and check ratings with organizations like the BBB before making your purchase.
Be careful when positioning solar panels on your home. These panels need direct sunlight, at least during the main portion of the day. If there are a lot of trees that shade the panel, you’ll reduce your overall output by a lot. Plan ahead and look at all of your placement options.
Solar heating systems use the power from the sun to help heat your home in the Winter. This type of system is a great option for locations that do not get especially cold. Using this type of system in conjunction with your regular heating system can save you up to 50 percent of your energy costs.
If you are thinking about having a solar system installed, make sure that your home or business is suited for it. Sometimes the layout of the roof will not accommodate the proper angle for maximum energy production. Talk to more than one company to ensure the contractor is being honest about your solar situation.
Before signing any agreement for installation of solar energy products, get at least three estimates. Once the estimates are in your hand, read each one carefully to ensure that the installation is up to your standards. Each estimate should include a time frame of completion, a list of materials and the estimated amount of labor charged.
When it comes to solar water-heating systems, it’s important that you are realistic about their performance. For example, the top-performing systems offer modest improvements over the most efficient traditional units. Nonetheless, they can still generate impressive cost savings. Second, don’t assume showers in the dark morning mean cold water. Water that’s solar-heated is going to be warm for about a day.
Teaching your children about solar energy will help them embrace this alternative energy in their adulthood. Help them understand the difference between a renewable resource and the limitations of other types of fuel. If you start instilling this way of thinking early on, your children will be more responsible in their choices when they lead their own lives.
Interview a few different solar panel installers before choosing the one for you. You’ve made a big investment by choosing solar panels, and you don’t want any costly mistakes occurring during the installation. Find a team that knows their stuff. A company that has a track record that you can respect.
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.
A charge controller is a great addition to any solar array, specifically those that are working above 10 watts on a regular basis. These small devices act as “ON” and “OFF” switches to protect your batteries. They prevent overcharging from damaging your batteries and can provide more advanced charging options depending on the make and model.
A good solar heating system will cost you between four and six thousand dollars. Think about how fast you will earn that back through savings and then continue forward in the green for years and years. Also, you do not have to install all of the panels at once.
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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