Installing solar energy at your home or your business is a great way to save money. By producing your own power, you will no longer have to be reliant on the big energy companies. Solar power is also a green, sustainable energy source that helps the environment. To learn more about using solar, keep reading.
Do your own research and find out if there are any rebates available for adding a solar system to your home. There are many local, state and federal programs that offer rebates for installing solar power in your home. Also check to see if you are eligible for tax incentives as well.
Look into portable solar energy battery packs. These can be extremely useful when you are somewhere that does not have access to power. For example, it could be used to charge your cell phone while you are camping in a remote location. It has recently become very popular, and because of this, it is relatively inexpensive.
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.
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.
Make sure that any solar panels you put up are actually cost effective. While the installation cost can be dented with government assistance, you need to know how long it will take for energy savings to return your investment. Also factor in that you are not likely to get the same amount of power every single month.
Don't assume that just because a company sells and installs solar panels means they are good and trustworthy people. Shop around. Get a minimum of three quotes. Read all contracts. Check backgrounds of potential contractors. Deal with this like any other home-improvement project that you would otherwise do.
Consider complementing your solar panels with other forms of energy production. Aside from night, your solar panels are least productive when it is cloudy, which usually means winds, rain or both. Put in some small wind turbines on your roof and micro-hydroelectric generators at ends of gutters for some power production when solar panels are not up and running.
Never install solar panels in a place that can easily be affected by storm debris. Solar panels are extremely sensitive, and because of this, should never https://energy.gov/science-innovation/clean-energy be placed near trees or other tall structures that could cause damage to your panels if a strong storm were to hit the area.
Never install solar panels in a place that can easily be affected by storm debris. Solar panels are extremely sensitive, and because of this, should never be placed near trees or other tall structures that could cause damage to your panels if a strong storm were to hit the area.
If you reside in an area where temperatures drop to freezing, you have to take special care of your solar energy system. Every time the weather gets very cold, you need to turn the system off and drain it. This will help you keep your system working for a much longer time.
If your roof has shading, it doesn't matter how much sunlight you get. Don't trust any claims that solar panels can still run efficiently even in the shade. This is just false.
Make sure to allow for adequate spacing around your solar panels. When overheated, these panels do not work effectively, and this can diminish the amount of energy they create for your family. Allowing for space between and around each panel helps to promote air flow and maximize both the functioning and lifespan of your panels.
Are you building a home or moving to a remote location? If so, then you might want to seriously consider using solar energy to power your place. Getting the local energy company to come out to you might be expensive or impossible, so using renewable solar energy is a great way to ensure you will have all the energy you need.
Do not rush in selecting the first solar power system you come across. Before you make a commitment with a company, you need to make sure you cannot find any better deals elsewhere. Check out your town's federal, state, and local incentives first. You can find this information at the DSIRE database.
Set up time every few years to clean the areas around your solar panels. These panels don't take a lot of maintenance, but you want to upkeep the area around them so that you lower the potential for issues. Clean out leaves, remove any debris, and test all of the fittings to make sure all is well.
A heating system that is solar-powered has an initial cost of four thousand to about six thousand dollars. Consider how fast you'll get that back from what you save, and by continuing on for the foreseeable future. Also, you do not have to install all of http://www.my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/146157394043/thinking-about-converting-to-led the panels at once.
Check into all of your potential rebates. You know there are rebates, correct? The government (in certain states) has a bunch of ways that they'll reward you for taking the solar energy plunge. And there are also benefits during tax season. Look into them all so you'll get every penny coming back to you.
If you want to calculate the output for a solar system, think about all factors. The ratings on the panels are only in ideal situations. Shade from nearby trees, overcast, and other environmental nuisances will decrease the actual number by some degree.
If you are looking for a solar energy system, make sure to ask your friends and neighbors about their experiences with various companies. A recommendation, or a warning, that you are familiar with can help you to make a smart buying decision. Your friends can also let you know about their experiences after installation, including any warranty issues and cost savings the system has offered.
As was already discussed, tons of people change to solar energy these days because of all the benefits it gives. Before you read this article, however, you may not have known too much about it. Now that you have read the article, you are on your way to become a solar energy genius. Use these tips to begin using this wonderful energy source.
