Among the most popular forms of alternative energy is solar. Solar power is growing both as residential as well as commercial energy sources. If you are trying to decide whether to make solar energy a part of your home or business, this article is for you. Read on and learn everything you need to know about solar energy.
If your roof cannot to support the weight of photo-voltaic solar panels, you can save a lot of money by investing in thin film solar panels. These panels are very light and flexible, which makes the installation much easier and affordable. Their higher price is also justified by their efficiency.
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.
You can get tax credits from your government for using solar energy. In some cases, the government will give you a rebate on the system, which helps to defer some of the initial cost. Do an online search or get in touch with local reps to learn about available programs.
Solar energy can help save you money on your utility bill. The sun's energy is free for you to use, and can help you save money when you have solar energy panels installed on your home or place of business. If you want to learn how you can save money with solar energy, call a professional in your area.
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.
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.
Solar water heaters have been around for hundreds of years. For over 50 years people have been using them to heat everything inside and outside the home. Over the years, these solar water heating systems have become much more efficient. If you are located in sunny areas of the country, you should look into buying a solar water system.
Consider selling extra energy back to your local utilities. If you live in an area of abundant sunshine, you may be able to not only save money on your power, but earn a little extra too. Many power companies allow solar energy users to sell extra power back to them, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity.
Solar panels are not very easy to install, so you should hire a professional to get the job done. While you will save a bit of money by trying to do it in your own, you do not want things to be less than perfect. Also, you http://www.feedage.com/feeds/23882611/myledlightingguide/ will most likely end up paying someone to come out and fix the mess you made.
The best time to purchase a complete solar power system is once you fully own your home. If you're still paying off a mortgage, it's best to wait.
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.
Find out about incentives that may be available to you if you get solar panels. The federal governments offers some tax relief to people who use solar energy. Some local governments do as well. Finding out what credits you are eligible for may help you make your final decision on whether you want the panels.
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.
Keep your solar panels out of the shade. It might seem obvious, but your solar panels do need sun. Make sure that you are not installing them in the shade. Trim back the branches http://www.fxl.com/ on surrounding trees if you need to. Failing to do so could cost you more than half your energy output.
Never use an abrasive material to clean your solar panels. Doing so could cause them to become scratched and less useful than they were when they were installed. Your best bet is to have a gentle cleanser and cloth on hand to clean your panels so that you know that you have what you need when the time comes.
Seek out great ways to utilize solar energy at home. Sometimes, you will need energy to run more than just your heating unit. On the flip side, most of them can produce an amount of energy that will run a water heater. Making this distinction allows you to form reasonable expectations for solar energy.
Make sure that your solar panels are kept clean. Even the slightest amount of dirt on the cover can block the sun from coming through, which will prevent your system from operating as efficiently as it could otherwise. Therefore, aim to get on your roof and clean your panels about once per month.
Once you have solar panels installed, monitor them. Make sure you use your manual to help you learn how your solar panels function. Check your displays on a regular basis (at least once a week), and make sure all of your indicator lights are displaying proper functioning. If you check your displays frequently, you're more likely to see and fix a problem before you lose energy or money.
Having read the article above, you should now have a better knowledge base about how solar energy works. Use the information to help you decide whether pursuing solar power is a viable option or not. After all, it isn't worth investing in solar power if it doesn't make economic sense.
