By the time you finish reading this article about solar energy, you are going to feel empowered. Solar energy really is the wave of the future, and there is much to know and learn about if you are going to start using it for your home or business. Keep reading to learn how you can devise a solar energy plan.
If you're thinking about installing solar panels to generate your own electricity, make sure that the roof you'll be installing them on gets plenty of good sunlight. Good sunlight occurs between 9am and 3pm. You'll generate the most electricity if your roof receives full, exposed sunlight between those hours every day.
Take baby steps in your quest for solar power. Pick up some inexpensive outdoor lights to get your feet wet. It's easy to find this sort of product online, at home improvement stores and at big box stores. Installation is easy, as you just place them in the land around your walkway.
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.
For the best results, place your solar panels in a location that gets plenty of sunlight. Avoid placing solar panels near trees or tall buildings because they can create shadows on the solar panels which can result in poor energy consumption. Additionally, placing your solar panels in a Southwest location will result in greater energy absorption.
You ought to have a backup resource should your solar panel system fail to work properly. You can either purchase a generator, or simply stay connected to your local power grid, drawing extra power as you need it. If you decide to use a generator, test it regularly and do not hesitate to keep more than one generator in your home.
Don't waste your time with pushy salespeople. You need to do the adequate research and carefully weigh the options so that you will make the right decision. A high pressure salesperson can make you make a not so great choice and end up wasting your money.
If you are having a new home built for you it is a great time to look into using solar energy to power your home. Solar energy is a great alternative energy source since it hardly affects the environment at all. If you have not yet looked into this energy source, now is the time to do so.
Before purchasing any solar panels, make sure they are government certified. This may seem like a small deal, but it really affects your bottom line. Many of the government rebate programs require that your solar panels are government certified. If they aren't, you'll be missing out on some of the cash back opportunities out there for you.
If you are considering investing in solar panels, you should start monitoring the weather. If your panels receive a minimum of five hours of sunlight every day, then they are guaranteed to produce enough energy. You may want to look into other choices if your area is regularly cloudy or snowy in the winter.
When considering installing solar panels, always check for local, state or federal incentives and rebates. The initial expense of solar panels can be costly so these incentives can be very helpful. Also consider the future saving and you will see that over time, your solar panels will pay for themselves.
Solar energy water heaters are a viable option for those considering the solar energy market but not ready to make a huge investment. A solar water heater carries with it a minimal cost, and it can pay for itself in as little as a year or two. In contrast, solar panels for an entire home are much more expensive, and they sometimes take considerably longer to pay for themselves.
Figure out how geography factors into the cost benefit analysis of solar panels. Two things have to be taken into account. First, your global latitude and distance from the equator determine your sunlight amounts and angle. Secondly, your local and national government come into play too, given any rebates or incentives they might offer. Both of these need to be factored numerically in determining if solar panels are going to even make or save money for you.
Solar energy water heaters are a viable option for those considering the solar energy market but not ready to make a huge investment. A solar water heater carries with it a minimal cost, and it can pay for itself in as little as a year or two. In contrast, solar panels for an entire home are much more expensive, and they sometimes take considerably longer to pay for themselves.
Dry your clothes outdoors on a line. This old-fashioned idea is still an excellent way to make use of the sun. Running the dryer can industrial led lighting solutions be costly; instead, hang any clothes on sunny days. This will save energy, which in turn will save money.
Keep your solar panels out of the shade. It might seem obvious, but your solar panels do http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html need sun. Make sure that you are not installing them in the shade. Trim back the branches on surrounding trees if you need to. Failing to do so could cost you more than half your energy output.
Take into consideration the purpose and location of the solar panel, particularly where the power is utilized and the voltages that it will require. Most panels work with 12VDC outputs, but there are other alternatives available for certain needs. Check the voltage ratings on the panels and find a size that fits.
Now that you have read this, you should be ready to start using more solar energy sources in your life. While it may take a bit of adjusting, after a while it will seem like second nature. In the process of saving a bit of money, you will also help save some of Earth's valuable resources.
