Solar Energy and Power

The sun brings us so much, from heat to light. It is harnessing the sun’s energy which allows us to sustainably power our lives. This article will guide you through how to use solar energy efficiently, allowing you to easily use this power to keep your home or business running smoothly.

Contact your local government to ask them about rules in place where you live. No solar technology should be in use without permission from the powers that be. You may find yourself fined and having to take down all that you worked so hard to put in place if you don’t inquire first.

Install panels a few at a time to break down the cost in setting up your home to operate off of solar power. There is no need to buy everything all at once, as there is much planning involved. You need to give yourself time to make adjustments and learn more as you go along.

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.

Get quotes from several contractors before signing any solar energy installation company. Just as with any other construction product, it pays to shop around before you commit to a particular company. Check out their reviews online and their standing with the Better Business Bureau. A little research ahead of time can save you a big headache later.

Be aware that you can still get solar power benefits even if you live in a chilly, overcast area. The temperature is irrelevant as long as your panels are safe and they are getting proper sunlight. As a matter of fact, lots of people claim that they have incredible solar power on cloudier days.

If you are comparing prices on a solar energy unit, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Some companies might offer bargain priced systems, but these systems might not hold up, be backed by a credible warranty or function in a way that really saves you money. Keep in mind that sometimes it is better to spend a little more now so that you save a lot more in the long run.

Be prepared to keep your solar panels clean. The dirtier they get, the less efficient they are at generating power. While it is true that rain and wind can often take care of a lot of this for you, you do need to get up there sometimes and dust them off yourself.

Always use non abrasive cleansers on your solar panels. An abrasive cleaner can scratch the surface of the panel and cause permanent damage and affect how well the solar panel works. There are commercial cleaning solutions to use or you can use a pool skimmer with a very soft cloth on it.

Solar panels are installed for optimal sunlight, but over time those panels may not be as efficient as they once were. This means rechecking the location frequently to ensure nothing is casting a shadow on your panels.

As you consider different options for solar panels, it helps to understand the underlying technology behind each one. The newest technologies are more effective but a few solar companies still sell the older technology. Older solar panel styles may be a cheaper investment to start with but they will not pay off as well in the long run.

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.

Minimize the upfront costs of solar panels by considering a lease instead of a purchase. This spreads the payments over a long-term period into monthly installments, so you could actually start saving money immediately. Still, consider how long you will be in that building, as the long-term periods usually run a decade.

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.

An investment in solar power is one that can pay off very well as time goes on. Making the jump to solar energy is not only smart for the environment, but for your wallet too. You can also sell electricity that your home has produced for credit at a utility company.

People often worry about space for solar panels or the panels becoming eye sores. However, most solar heating systems only require two to four meters of roof space and solar electric panels not much more. On top of this, panels can be designed to match your roof and blend in much better.

The normal price range for solar energy systems is between four and six thousand dollars. It will pay for itself in no time! In addition, if you are hesitant to convert your entire home into solar energy, you can start out by switching only a few things at one time.

The simple tips in this article will go along way to helping you use solar power. This will allow you to run your appliances without harming the Earth. Someday every building may be powered by the sun. Today we must start this trend by installing this technology ourselves and making use of it.

It is time you looked further into the opportunity of using solar energy as a renewable energy source for your home or business. There are probably many things you don’t know about the subject, so it’s important that you keep reading to find out more. Surely you are going to like what you read.

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. If you need to install panels that are fixed, a compromise will need to be reached in terms of optimal angles for winter and summer.

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.

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.

There is really no reason to even consider getting a solar energy system if you live in an area that rarely sees the sun. This does not mean that a less than reputable company will not try to sell you a solar system though. If your roof does not receive at least 6 hours of full sunlight per day, you should not consider solar power.

You can take advantage of solar power with solar panels. The layout of your home could help you save on energy by maximizing your exposure to the sun. Consider making some changes to your home such as adding large windows so you can benefit from natural light and warmth from the sun.

Consider complementing your solar panels with other forms of energy production. Aside from night, your solar panels are least productive when it is cloudy, which usually means winds, rain or both. Put in some small wind turbines on your roof and micro-hydroelectric generators at ends of gutters for some power production when solar panels are not up and running.

You don’t have to be on the grid if you use solar power. You can operate one yourself, and this will make your family independent from everyone else in your area. This means you can look forward to no more utility bills.

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.

If you are considering installing a solar panel system, it is important that the panel faces in the sun’s direction. Although this seems obvious, you would be surprised how many people forget this step. If your panel does not have sun, it won’t power up. If you live in the Northern hemisphere, your panel should face South towards the horizon.

Find a vendor who offers a lengthy warranty for your solar panels. A lengthy warranty is a sign that the vendor has faith in the products and it will help you save a lot of money in case your panels malfunction. Do some background research on the vendor you chose to make sure they are likely to still be around over the next decades.

Don’t look at solar panels as a do it yourself project. You are putting serious funds into these panels, and any mistake can be very costly. Find the right help. Do your research online to come up with the best installers out there near you and interview a few before making any decisions.

Solar power heating, whether for heating water or for a direct heat source, is different from solar power electric. By installing one of these systems, you can reduce your gas bill by up to 50 percent. This is on top of the savings you have on your electric bill already.

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.

Solar panels are very durable. In fact, their lifespan is generally estimated at a little more than 30 years. They are specifically designed to be placed on a roof, so they are well-made and can handle things like rain and snow. Because they last so long, you should feel confident that you will make a profit off of them eventually.

Do some research about leasing a solar energy system. This is a cheaper alternative to buying solar panels for your home. Leases are more frequently available today, allowing you to get the solar panels you need for less.

Do not believe the myth that installing a wind turbine will increase the amount of dead birds in your area. While it is a fact that this is a danger to birds, only two to three are killed yearly by industrial turbines. This means that the chance of this happening with a home system is virtually nil.

Are you thinking about how you can use everything you’ve read to save yourself some money? Who wouldn’t be thinking that? It is time you put these tips to good use so that you can fully benefit from everything that solar energy has to offer you as an energy source.

The world is misunderstood about solar energy as a whole. It is still in its infancy, so in order to take advantage of its many benefits, you must know how to best develop a plan for putting solar energy into action for your home or business. Keep reading to learn how you can do this.

Start small when starting with solar energy. A small investment of just a few solar powered garden lights is a great way to get started. You can find these at most major retailers. Installing them means nothing more than shoving them into the soil.

Having a pool is a luxury that is becoming unaffordable for many families. Have you watched the past couple summers pass by, without opening up the pool? Switching your system over to renewable solar energy can help make it possible to keep enjoying your pool, without the high energy bill each month.

Keep the trees around your solar energy panels trimmed. Shade from trees can limit the sun’s rays that are hitting your panels, thereby causing your panels to work less effectively. In order to avoid this problem, make sure to trim back leaves and branches regularly. This is easy to do, and it is cost effective too.

Using any type of solar energy unit can help the environment significantly. Varied types of solar heaters are available. You can opt for a model with a tank or go with a tankless model. They are easily installed in an area of optimum sun exposure or on the roof.

Although adding a solar system is a big job, it does not take any major renovations. At least you can start by replacing your outdoor lights with solar-powered counterparts. These lights stay on all night and then recharge the following day.

Consider your home’s outside design when thinking about solar energy. Having solar-powered pathway lights installed outside is an easy way to use solar energy at home. If you’re building a home, positioning it so that it can take advantage of the sun’s rays is also beneficial. Well-oriented homes filter in winter sun rays in the south-facing windows and that can reduce heating bills.

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.

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.

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?

Check for government certification on any solar panel you are considering buying. Consider this tip a must. The government’s seal of approval lets you know that these panels are deemed quality and efficient. Plus, some of the financial benefits of using solar panels (tax credits, etc.) rely on using certified panels.

The best time to incorporate solar power into the design of a home or building is in the initial construction. Windows are best facing south to let maximum sunlight (hence greenhouse heat) in during the winter. Likewise, avoid windows facing directly into the summertime sun to keep things cooler, so less power is needed for fans or air conditioning. The maximum roof space, however, should always get sunlight exposure.

There are many companies who claim to be specialists in solar conversion. However, it is up to you to confirm that they have the proper qualifications and credentials. Check with the Better Business Bureau for their current business standing. Do an online search for any reviews. If you turn up any negative information, look for another service.

If you have a pool, don’t even think of heating it any other way than solar! This is easily the most efficient use of solar power there is and it will save you a bundle. Solar heating systems cost about the same or less than conventional systems and basically operate themselves so stop wasting your money doing it the old-fashioned way!

Before making a choice on how many solar panels you use make a list of all the electrical appliances you use and the wattage and hours utilized by each one. This will be helpful in determining how much solar power you will need. No matter if you decide to install the equipment yourself or have someone else do it, this information will help your choices.

If you don’t want to install a complete solar power system in your home, start with a solar water heating option. A water heater can represent upwards of thirty-five percent of a single home’s energy use. When the initial cost of solar water heaters can be less than traditional systems, your savings begin right away.

Do a financial background check on any company that you may buy solar panels from. By doing this, you can help find a company that’s likely to stay in business. This is crucial in the case of warranties and in the event you need your panels replaced.

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 you feel better knowing how beneficial solar energy, a renewable source, can be for you? You can use it in your home or business, and in the long run, you are going to save much money and realize how much you’re helping the environment. Remember what you have read so that you can do just that.