By the time you finish reading this article about solar energy, you are going to feel empowered. Solar energy http://my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/143268424763/led-high-bays-with-7-uplight-myledlightingguide 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.
The power you get will be determined by how many solar panels you have and their efficiency. Calculate how many you need ahead of time. You could actually save money by purchasing a small number of efficient panels.
Get the records from your energy company on how much energy you have used in the last five years. You can then use this information to figure out exactly how much power you will need solar energy to provide for you home. Having the past five years is important so that you can see that some years you will need more energy than others.
One great way to take advantage of solar energy is by constructing a heat well just inside the south facing windows or patio doors of your home. This well collects heat from the sun during the day and releases it after dark. This form of solar energy is completely passive and requires no maintenance.
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.
Cleaning your solar panels does not need to be labor intensive. You want to avoid abrasive soaps at all costs, as they can deteriorate and even destroy your panels. So long as there is not caked up dust or bird droppings, frequent rinses with just hose water should be more than enough.
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.
Think about the money that you send to your power companies each month. How would you like to keep that money in your pocket? Changing to solar power will do that for you. After you pay off the initial investment, the money you used to pay to the power company will stay in your wallet.
Fossil fuels that are used around the world do not help our environment. In fact, the cause a great deal of damage to the world we live on. Solar energy will provide us with the power we need without causing any damage to our earth. There will be no more gases, carcinogens or even carbon dioxide produced by solar energy.
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.
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.
As the seasons change, so should the angle of each solar panel. The amount and direction of sunlight that reaches your home changes when the seasons change. Angling your unit to face the sun will help you pull in more energy.
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.
Installing solar panels is no easy task. Because of this, it should be treated like home renovation. Be sure to check out solar energy installers just as you would any other contractor you hire to work on your home. Go over contracts very carefully and hire a legal specialist to help you go over contracts before signing them.
Find out what kind of warranty comes with any system you are considering. A solar energy system should last you for at least twenty years, so be sure the company you are dealing with can support it. If there is no warranty, or an extremely limited one, it may be time to keep looking, no matter how great the savings are.
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.
Make sure that you get on the roof to look at your solar panels at least once each month. You want to check and verify that they are still clean. If they are not, they are not producing as much energy as they could. Clean them if needed and watch your energy bills drop or even disappear.
Clean those solar panels using a water hose. By rinsing them weekly, you can avoid getting on the roof to clean them. You also don't have to concern yourself about scratching the solar panels.
Hopefully, this article has helped you realize how you can use solar energy in your home or business to save money and make a positive impact on the environment. As you can now see, there is much to consider when developing your plan, so keep everything that has been discussed in mind. The benefits will amaze you!
