Within the last decade, more and more people have started to consider solar power. People are trying to reduce their carbon footprint. Keep reading to learn more about solar energy.
When beginning to use solar energy, start small. Start by purchasing a few solar powered energy landscape lights. It’s easy to find this sort of product online, at home improvement stores and at big box stores. Install them along your walkway for lighting.
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.
If you cannot afford to purchase a solar energy system for your entire house, consider using it in just one or two spaces. Solar energy is a great option for heating swimming pools for instance, or bringing additional warmth to a cooler bedroom. You can always start small and purchase more later, as your budget allows.
Know how light mixes with the trees around your property. You may think you’ve got the perfect spot for a solar panel, but watch it throughout the day. The sun coming in from different angles may lead to surprising shadows from trees and foliage. This will affect your solar output.
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.
Though solar panels are put in areas with the most sunlight, some factors could affect the sun getting to them. 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.
Try to keep away from people that sell solar energy systems if they’re being pushy about making a sale. This industry has a lot of salespeople like this. You should always consider such an expensive investment carefully and get several estimates. If they can offer you a good deal now, they can offer it to you again at a future date. Pressured decisions can cost you a lot more later on.
When planning your panels, take into consideration the shadows that nearby trees may pass over the area. Solar panels usually need to be mounted high on the roof, in a location that is exposed to the sun for the longest period of time. However, what seems like a great spot may be covered in shade for a certain period of the day.
Think about having your solar panels connected to the power grid. With this type of system, you can sell excess energy to your power company. This helps your system pay itself off faster.
If you are thinking about using solar energy in your home, you can now do-it-yourself. Everything needed to get your home powered by the sun is now available online and ready for purchase. You can save thousands on your solar system by learning about how to install a system for yourself and doing it yourself.
One of the easiest things at your home to convert to solar power is your outdoor lighting. There are many attractive solar lighting options available at your local home center. These fixtures are easy to install and are relatively inexpensive. Spend some time browsing the selections and see which options will be suitable for your outdoor needs.
If you are going to invest a lot of money into solar panels, you should make sure that you pay for monitoring services. This type of service will make sure that things are working as they should be. You can usually access the information by phone, computer or a wall-mounted device.
You should use a hose to keep your solar panels clean. Try to do this four times per month; you may not need to climb up on the roof if you do. Also, you will never be concerned about scratching your panels.
Get smaller solar panels to power your indoor appliances. There are some very affordable solar panels that you can bring into your home. Some of the devices you can power with solar power include your alarm clock, your coffee maker and even your iPod. Check out smaller panels to see how you can use solar energy even if you aren’t sold on the bigger panels yet.
Camping
If you would like to partially “go solar”, think about smaller applications. There are two ways to do this. You could, for instance, invest in small solar panels that can be mounted on a window. You should also consider investing in small appliances that can be powered with solar panels. Every tiny thing you do will make your energy bill that much cheaper.
Look into portable solar energy battery packs. These can be extremely useful when you are somewhere that does not have access to power. For example, it could be used to charge your cell phone while you are camping in a remote location. It has recently become very popular, and because of this, it is relatively inexpensive.
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.
Do you realize how much solar energy can enhance your life? Solar power is among the greatest sources of power, thanks to being clean and abundant. It’s a good idea to use solar energy power for all your needs. You will feel good about the decision, and the Earth will agree.