The boundless of potential of solar energy to revolutionize the way we live should not be underestimated. The best way to get a real understanding of its promise is to make a focused study of the topic and learn everything you can about solar energy. The article below provides you with a wonderful jumping off point.
You should assess how much energy you need for your household before investing in a solar energy system. You will get the most out of your solar energy system if it is powerful enough to cover all your energy needs and allows you to sell a small quantity of power to the main grid.
Position solar panels on the east or west side of your home or business. Since the sun travels from east to west throughout the day, placing solar panels on areas of your roof that face north or south is a waste. You'll get much better energy returns by following the same path as the sun.
Keep shade issues in mind when installing solar panels. A panel that loses a quarter of its light can lose half its power production. The main thing to keep in mind is tree foliage. Are any trees going to grow in between the panels and sunlight? Consider trimming them back a little.
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.
Be realistic about the costs of having a solar energy system. If you're paying much less than other systems that are around the same size as yours, you may have poor equipment or installation work. Like with many things in life you get what you pay for. Quality installation work and equipment isn't going to be cheap. You may have substantial savings by going with a large company, but other companies may be cutting corners to keep costs down.
When using solar power, you do not have to worry about harming the environment in any way. Fossil fuels send harmful greenhouse gases off into the atmosphere, and they contribute to global warming and climate change. However, solar cells have no impact on the environment and are safe to use.
If you are a business owner and you are thinking of changing your energy system over to renewable solar energy, see if you can get any tax deductions for doing so. Often times the government will offer incentives to companies who agree to switch over to a more green energy source.
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.
If you know nothing about installing the equipment needed for solar energy, contact a professional to do it for you. The installation of solar energy panels and equipment is something rather specialized. If you attempt to install it yourself and do not do it right, you can ruin the equipment involved.
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.
Keep in mind that purchasing a solar power system often enables you to receive tax credits from the government. You may find that you get back as much as 30 percent of the total cost of your system. So, if you look into a system and think that it costs too much, investigate whether or not you will get credit back to determine how affordable it actually is.
Find efficient ways to implement a solar energy system in your house. You could for instance invest in a solar-powered water heater for your swimming pool or your hot tub. You may find that solar power can provide most of your energy needs. Getting familiar with how they are different can lead you to making the best selection for your home.
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.
When switching over to solar panel, take the time to evaluate all of your energy needs. Solar panels are far from cheap, and there might be more cost effective ways that you can reduce energy consumption in your home. By reducing consumption, you can reduce how many panels you need, thereby reducing your overall purchase and install costs for a solar system.
Use winter sunshine hours instead of summer hours whenever you are calculating how many solar panels you will need. This is because winter sunshine hours only add up to about half that of summer. It is better to overestimate how many panels you will need rather than underestimate. If you underestimate, you will end up losing power when you need it.
For better savings on your utility bill, keep your solar panels clean. Solar panels are practically silent and since you don't http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/lighting.html touch them, you can easily forget them. The cleaner http://myledlighting1.weebly.com/home/led-vs-metal-halide-lighting-9-reasons-led-wins their glass panels are, the more clear surface area the sun has to "work with." There's no set amount of time that you should clean them. If you live in an area with lots of wind, dust or construction, they may need cleaned frequently. Some ares may require weekly cleanings.
Check that your solar-energy installer has the proper licenses and insurance. Installing solar panels on a steep roof is a delicate job, and you should feel confident that your installers know what they are doing. At a minimum, look for a contracting license, workers compensation insurance, and general liability insurance.
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.
