Solar Energy and Power

It is important that you fully understand solar energy before you make a decision on whether or not it is right for your home or business. It is new, and there is much unexplored territory, but this article is here to help you make your move. Keep reading to find out more about how you can take advantage of solar energy.

If you are thinking about using solar power in your home, you must consider how much direct sunlight your home is actually exposed to. In order for solar energy to be worth it, your roof should have full sun exposure a minimum of 6 hours every day. You should also be wary of any areas of your roof covered by shade.

Your solar energy system will be more efficient if it allows you to use power at anytime of the day or night. New technology allows solar panels to get energy from the sun and use it anytime. This can help if you use power during the night.

Don’t be scared off from solar energy because you see certain companies shutting their doors. Solar energy is a big part of the country’s future. It’s not only great for the environment; it also saves you a lot of cash. That’s a win-win across the board, and you’ll be happy for looking into it now.

It is important when installing your panels to remember that the position of the sun in the sky changes with the seasons, not just only over the course of the day. The ideal angle of your panels will change throughout the day and from one season to the next.

If your solar panels should fail, you need to have a backup plan in place. 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 go with the backup generator option, make sure you test its functionality regularly. It’s also not a bad idea to have more than one backup generator.

Talk to the company that you plan on having install your solar system and see if a sun tracker is a good fit for your system. Sun trackers use very little energy and will maximize the amount of power your system can produce. If you have the space and resources, a sun tracking system can help you maximize your energy production.

Think about the money that you send to your power companies each month. How would you like to keep that money in your pocket? Changing to solar power will do that for you. After you pay off the initial investment, the money you used to pay to the power company will stay in your wallet.

Once you buy a system, one of the first things you will notice is how quiet your solar cells are. As they draw in energy from the sun, they make absolutely no noise. This is something that most owners appreciate, as all other renewable energy sources make some noise as they operate. Particularly if you have a stressful job or a stressful life, the last thing you need is a noisy system interrupting your few moments of peace.

Many companies are now allowing consumers to lease solar energy products. This is perfect if you are unsure if you are a good candidate for solar energy or if you do not have the financial means to purchase a solar energy system. Ask your local electric company for suggestions of companies who lease solar energy products.

Before choosing solar panels, consider the shade around your home. You may not want to go with solar energy if there is shade over your home often. Excessive shade will keep you from getting the most out of your soalr panel investment.

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.

Check for government financial incentives when you considering solar energy. While the cost of purchasing and installing panels can be high, there are certain government grant, loan and rebate programs that can help offset this cost. By understanding these programs, you can make a smart financial investment that allows you to take advantage of this green energy source.

You don’t necessarily have to stick the solar panels in the typical locations you see in the brochures. There only needs to be a small gap of approximately 1″ behind the panel for air circulation. You can find interesting positions anywhere on your property that work with the style and design of the surrounding area.

Carefully calculate the dollar/watts ratio of any solar panel before making the final purchase. Technology is moving fast and you should judge your decision based on the standards of the current market. The panels that produce more wattage are the panels that typically cost more, but a high-wattage yesterday may not be as significant today.

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.

Contact different vendors and ask for quotes before you invest in a solar energy system. If possible, get quotes for different types of panels or mounts and compare the efficiency of each system to figure out which one corresponds to your needs and budget. Stay away from vendors who offer extremely low quotes or do not give you details on how they calculate the quote.

Now that you have learned more about solar energy and what it can do for you, it’s important that you start devising a plan. You want to benefit from great ideas behind solar energy, and you need to remember the advice you’ve read here as you do just that. You are going to be amazed!

When it comes to solar energy, there is no question that it is great for the environment. After all, you are using a renewable energy source that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. However, there are a number of factors to consider when installing solar panels in your home. The following article will serve to aid you in that department.

If you run a business you know that there are a lot of costs associated with that, one of them being your energy bill. If you have been looking at ways to save the company some money, you should switch over to renewable solar energy. This will not only save you money, but let people know that you are environmentally conscious.

Your solar energy system needs to be exposed to the sun at all times. Most homeowners have their solar panels installed on their roof but you could also have some panels installed on your front lawn. Do not hesitate to cut a few trees to avoid shadows and have a professional help you determine the best place for your panels.

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.

Don’t underestimate the importance of doing business with a reputable solar panel supplier. Although it may be tempting to purchase inexpensive panels from an overseas supplier, in the long run that may not be beneficial. Try to find businesses that will still be in operation in twenty years so that spare panels for your system will be readily available.

If you’re thinking about investing in a solar power system, stay away from high pressure salesmen. You are the only one who can make this decision, and you must do so by obtaining all the necessary information and weighing the costs and benefits. Buying under pressure is not good concerning the price and importance of your decision.

Try getting recommendations for solar energy home equipment. If you have loved ones or colleagues that have solar energy at home, ask them to provide details of their experience or any issues they’ve been through with their system. It’s important to consider other opinions on what you should or should not do.

If you have room and enough money, the optimal system for solar power is one that uses a sun tracking system for the panels. They literally turn as the sun moves across the sky. Although initial installation costs will be more expensive than a fixed panel system, the extra energy generated in the long run may be worth it.

Take the time to compare different types of solar panels before you invest in a green energy system. There are different technologies and brands to compare and it is true that the most expensive panels are often the most efficient ones. Talk with vendors and professionals to learn more about solar panels.

Consider changing out your windows when you install a solar energy system. Installing energy efficient windows will help your home be easier to heat and cool, maximizing your energy savings. Since you will now be providing your own power, it is a good idea to save energy wherever you can.

Your solar energy system can not only save you money, but help you make it too. If your system happens to make more energy than you need, then you can sell it to the local energy company in your area. Imagine receiving money to produce energy instead of spending money to produce the same amount of energy?

If you want a particular kind of solar panels, research when they first emerged. Recent panels are a lot more efficient, but there are vendors who still offer products that are not up to date. Older versions come at lower price points, but newer ones deliver better long-term results.

Make sure to watch the light on your solar panel inverter regularly. Check it at least a couple of times a week, while sunlight is hitting your panels. The light should be green. If it is not, your panels might not be working correctly, and it is time to call in a technician.

Keep your solar panels clean. If your solar panels are dirty or obstructed in any way, they won’t work as well. Keep an eye on your solar panels and clean them if they’re not quite looking their best. Hosing them down occasionally will ensure that they are much more efficient.

If you are new to solar energy and cannot afford to purchase solar panels, consider leasing them. Leasing is not as expensive as buying, and you can realize your savings sooner, like around a few weeks.

Carefully calculate the dollar/watts ratio of any solar panel before making the final purchase. Technology is moving fast and you should judge your decision based on the standards of the current market. The panels that produce more wattage are the panels that typically cost more, but a high-wattage yesterday may not be as significant today.

While solar panels can continue to work on days when it is not sunny, you should not have them installed if you live in an area that is cloudy most of the time. The amount of energy you save with them will not be worth the amount you paid for them.

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.

Now that you’ve read the article above, you should have a better understanding of how solar energy works. As you now know, solar energy isn’t for everyone, and there are many cases in which it won’t make financial sense. Use the information provided to aid you in your decision as to whether you should install solar panels in your home or not.

It is time to get serious about installing solar energy in your home or business, so make sure you pay attention to the following advice. There are many things that must be considered, and you need to make sure that you have an organized plan when implementing such a large-scale energy platform. Continue reading to learn more about this.

Find out if your local energy provider offers meter rollback programs. Once you have a solar energy system, you should consider joining one of these programs so you can sell the energy you produce to the main grid and draw the same amount of energy instead of purchasing an expensive battery system to store your power.

You might be wondering how you can use solar energy, without having to spend a fortune. Solar energy systems can be expensive, but they can also be very affordable. Try using solar powered lights on your walkway or around your yard. You can also add solar panels slowly to your home overtime to bring down some of the costs little by little.

Make sure that any solar panels you put up are actually cost effective. While the installation cost can be dented with government assistance, you need to know how long it will take for energy savings to return your investment. Also factor in that you are not likely to get the same amount of power every single month.

If you invest in a large solar energy system, you could actually make money off of it. If you can pull enough solar power with a collection of solar panels, you may be able to sell your excess electricity to neighbors or even the power company. Contact your local company to see if this could work for you.

With each year, solar power systems keep getting stronger and stronger. The panels that used to be very expensive are now very affordable for consumers. Regardless of your needs, there is a solar energy system that is just right to power your home or your business. Be sure to take ample time to research the options.

Don’t cheap out on the installation! Yes, you’ve spent a lot of hard earned cash on these solar panels, but that’s the point entirely. You’ve made a huge investment, and you’ll want these panels to be secured perfectly. If you opt for someone with less experience or a spotty track record to save a bit of cash, then you’ll likely have lots of issues in the future.

Be sure to account for maintenance and upkeep costs when figuring out the costs of a solar energy system. While solar energy has the potential for a lot of savings, it greatly depends on your location. Solar power is not right for every situation, and even has the possibility of costing you more money in the long run.

Make sure to watch the light on your solar panel inverter regularly. Check it at least a couple of times a week, while sunlight is hitting your panels. The light should be green. If it is not, your panels might not be working correctly, and it is time to call in a technician.

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.

Do not rush in selecting the first solar power system you come across. Before you make a commitment with a company, you need to make sure you cannot find any better deals elsewhere. Check out your town’s federal, state, and local incentives first. You can find this information at the DSIRE database.

Once you have solar energy panels installed on your home, make sure that you keep them clean. Many people do not realize a cleaner panel will attract more of the sun’s energy. Depending on the area you live in, you should wash your panels every two to four weeks or so.

Maximize the power output of the space you use for solar panels. This means you should invest in quality panels that can produce high amounts of energy without taking up your entire roof. Maximizing the power output of your panels will allow you to easily expand your system if you need to produce more energy.

Try installing the solar panels yourself if you have the capabilities. If you have the experience, understanding, and tools required to work with these panels, you can save some of the expenses by installing them yourself. Alone or with a friend, the job isn’t that complicated and is well-worth the money you save in the end.

Find out what kind of warranty comes with any system you are considering. A solar energy system should last you for at least twenty years, so be sure the company you are dealing with can support it. If there is no warranty, or an extremely limited one, it may be time to keep looking, no matter how great the savings are.

Do not install a solar system in your home without first doing an energy audit. An energy audit will assess your energy needs and will help you utilize savings before installing a solar system. The last thing you want to do is install a solar system to pay for energy you are wasting.

If you are looking for a solar energy system, make sure to ask your friends and neighbors about their experiences with various companies. A recommendation, or a warning, that you are familiar with can help you to make a smart buying decision. Your friends can also let you know about their experiences after installation, including any warranty issues and cost savings the system has offered.

Solar energy can save you so much money, and now you should definitely have a much better idea as to how you can take advantage of this. Solar energy may not have proven itself at first glance in your opinion, but it’s hard to deny the facts that have been placed in your hands. Implement the advice you’ve learned, and start taking full advantage of solar energy today.