Are you tired of wasting money by paying the power company for electricity? Do you feel that you are being charged to much just to power your home? There is an alternative source of power for those who want to break free. This source is called solar energy, and you can learn how to use it in this article.
If you are thinking about using solar power in your home, you must consider how much direct sunlight your home is actually exposed to. In order for solar energy to be worth it, your roof should have full sun exposure a minimum of 6 hours every day. You should also be wary of any areas of your roof covered by shade.
Storage is just as important as the energy that a solar power system produces. Batteries can store energy until you are ready to use it. Also, you can sell excess energy to your power company for even greater savings.
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.
The efficiency of a solar energy system varies a lot depending on its exposure to the sun. If you live in a sunny area, your system should produce enough energy to cover all your needs but solar energy might not be such a good investment if you live in an area where the sky is usually filled with clouds.
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.
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.
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.
Many governments offer tax savings for consumers who install green energy products. These tax savings can help offset the installation cost of a new solar energy system. Additionally, many state's also allow you to deduct some or most of the costs of the installation on your state's tax return allowing double savings.
A charge controller is a great addition to any solar array, specifically those that are working above 10 watts on a regular basis. These small devices act as "ON" and "OFF" switches to protect your batteries. They prevent overcharging from damaging your batteries and can provide more advanced charging options depending on the make and model.
Make sure you check often to see if your solar panels stay in optimum condition. While http://www.seattle.gov/environment/buildings-and-energy/renewable-energy you won't need to maintain them too often, you should regularly check to make sure they aren't damaged. You don't want to be surprised by a big utility bill.
If you are planning to move to remote location you may want to have solar energy panels installed on your home. Solar energy is still relatively expensive to install, but it can be more affordable than wiring power to your home. Get quotes on both before you decide which route you will take.
Making the change to renewable energy is becoming more and more popular. With concerns about the health of the environment, more and more people are making the switch. Not only are they helping the earth, but saving money at the same time. It really seems like a win-win situation for both individuals and business alike.
Seek out the best ways to utilize a solar energy system inside your home. For example, most solar energy systems can only provide a portion of the energy needed to run a heating system. But, they can give you enough energy to run a water heater. These are the differences you need to understand.
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.
Before you start to use solar energy to power your home, you should get an energy audit. The audit will give you an idea of how much energy your home uses on a regular basis. Once you know this, you'll be able to get a system that can provide as much solar energy as possible for your home.
Make sure your solar panels aren't shaded. You need to be sure that there is nothing new shading your panels either. If there's something like a tree in the way, it should be trimmed. Panels work exponentially, so having a fourth of a panel shaded can actually make you lose half of its output. If your panels can't get any sun, you're losing money.
If you know that you cannot reach your solar panels to clean them, the best thing to do would be to hire a professional to clean it for you. if you are not sure of who to call, you should ask the company that came and installed the panels for you.
Double check how much sun your panels are getting frequently. Sometimes tree sprouts new branches http://my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/146084191543/the-cost-of-buying-obsolete-led-technology/ or neighbors put up new buildings in the way. Monitor your panels at all times of the day to ensure you're getting the optimal amount of sun to produce as much power as is possible in your location.
By reading this article, you now know more about solar energy. There is no real excuse, as it helps both the planet and your wallet. Use the information presented here to do your part and become a part of the solution.
