Solar Energy Advice That Can Work For You
Solar power is a good candidate for anyone thinking about green energy. Solar energy uses one of Mother Earth’s most renewable energy sources, the sun. Continue reading to learn a little more about solar energy and how it can benefit you and the environment.
There are two major kinds of photo-voltaic panels. The cheapest are poly-crystalline, but mono-crystalline are more efficient. It makes the most sense to buy the highest-efficiency product possible if you intend to power your house with solar energy.
Outdoor Lights
When using solar energy for the first time, it’s probably a good idea to start out small. Buy some solar-powered lighting to reduce energy usage. You can find these in almost any type of home improvement store. Installation is as simple as placing them in the ground along your walkway.
Although adding a solar system is a big job, it does not take any major renovations. At minimum, you might consider simply replacing your outdoor lights with solar powered lighting. Your outdoor lights can keep shining all night, except maybe during the longest winter nights, using the charge they stored from the sun that day.
If you want to lease a solar energy system, choose a lease that can be transferred in case you decide to move. This is very important because if you sell your home, you could be stuck paying for a lease on a solar unit that you cannot use. Being able to transfer your lease will relieve you of your obligation and permit the new residents to take advantage of solar energy.
It’s important to have backup if your solar panels aren’t working properly. A great choice is a generator. Or, you could stay hooked up to a power grid and get power when panels are down. If you choose to get a generator, keep a few on hand and test them on a routine basis.
To get the most from solar panels in your home or business, go for installations that use technology not directly reliant on the sun’s schedule. Newer panels allow you to store energy and use it later when there are no sun rays. This comes in handy for those that use electricity at night.
Search for grants and rebates to assist with solar panel costs. If you cannot find any grants or rebates you qualify for, be prepared to spend a lot on your solar energy system. Look into government rebates and grants that will reward you for using a renewable energy. They work to lower the cost substantially. It may be possible to get tax deductions for your costs.
Solar Energy
There are many different things to factor in when deciding whether or not to install a solar energy system into your home. Determine if you will be saving money over the course of the year with them. If you jump into solar energy without the proper research, you may end up with a costly mistake.
A solar heating system for your water is very helpful to the environment. You can choose from several different types of solar water tanks. You can put these in a good location positioned on your roof.
Be certain the solar panels you choose are installed in the most advantageous way for sun exposure year round. 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.
Are you tired of paying high heating bills or taking quick showers to conserve the hot water? Solar panels are ideal for locations that receive between 5 and 6 full hours of direct sunlight daily. If you have a swimming pool, you can use a solar water heater to reduce the costs of heating your pool.
Gain an understanding of your own energy usage. Before switching to solar panel, you must know how you use energy. Knowing this will make it easier to choose the right sized solar energy system. Because energy usage can vary season to season, you should review your utility bill for an entire year.
Do the math prior to investing in any sort of solar panel system. Solar panels might not be a good option if you cannot count on optimal exposure to sun rays in your area or if you use more power than a regular solar energy system can generate. Do the math to figure out how much quality solar panels will cost you and how much money you will be able to save on the long-term.
If you own a home, the best thing to do is to get a comprehensive solar energy system. If you still have a mortgage on your home, the initial costs involved with solar panels may prove to be too much of a financial burden, causing you to lose both if you fail to make your payments.
Solar Panels
Solar panels get typically placed in an ideal location to receive sunlight, but in time, things might get in the way. Therefore, ensure you regularly check up the area around your solar panels to check for trees or large bushes that may be growing and blocking the sun from hitting the panels.
You can get tax credits from your government for using solar energy. They could offer as much as 30% of the system’s cost. Do an online search or get in touch with local reps to learn about available programs.
Pay attention to weather conditions before you invest in a solar energy system. High-quality solar panels produce enough power for the home if they can get unobstructed sunlight for about five hours a day every day. If your roof is covered with snow in the winter or if you have many cloudy days, solar energy may not be for you.
Clearly, solar energy can be a terrific choice for the environment as well as your pocketbook. It eases reliance on the Earth’s finite resources, and there are some amazing advantages for the users too. Apply what you’ve learned here, and make smart decisions about your energy use.