Where would the world be without solar energy? Simple items like calculators would have limited power options without https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_energy access to solar energy. In addition, homes wouldn't be able to use solar panels to provide light and head for people. You'll learn how to use solar energy with the advice in this article.
Are you wondering how you can help to reduce your carbon footprint on the earth? There are many small ways that you can do this, but by switching to solar energy you can help to make a big impact. Solar energy is renewable, meaning healthy for the environment and good for your wallet too.
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.
To help keep your solar energy panels running efficiently, keep a record of your solar panels performance. On this record, note when the days are overcast and how much energy your panels produced. This will help you plan your energy consumption better. For example, if the forecast is cloudy, then you should wait to do household chores that use a lot of energy.
Get quotes from several contractors before signing any solar energy installation company. Just as with any other construction product, it pays to shop around before you commit to a particular company. Check out their reviews online and their standing with the Better Business Bureau. A little research ahead of time can save you a big headache later.
If you find that you cannot afford solar panels at the moment, you should stay up to date with new products and technologies. Scientists are regularly coming up with new technologies and materials that can be used to build more efficient and affordable panels, which means solar energy should become a more efficient solution in the future.
Be sure to account for maintenance and upkeep costs when figuring out the costs of a solar energy system. While solar energy has the potential for a lot of savings, it greatly depends on your location. Solar power is not right for every situation, and even has the possibility of costing you more money in the long run.
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 be placed near trees or other tall structures that could cause damage to your panels if a strong storm were to hit the area.
The best time to incorporate solar power into the design of a home or building is in the initial construction. Windows are best facing south to let maximum sunlight (hence greenhouse heat) in during the winter. Likewise, avoid windows facing directly into the summertime sun to keep things cooler, so less power is needed for fans or air conditioning. The maximum roof space, however, should always get sunlight exposure.
Solar water heating is a great way to use the sun's power to heat up your swimming pool. It can also be used to heat the water for your home. That said, the energy savings is typically only 30% over traditional water heating devices, so keep that in mind as you create a budget.
Outdoor lighting fixtures can be completely powered by solar energy. Search for outdoor fixtures that collect energy from the sun during the day and release it after dark. While these fixtures do not require a lot of energy, these systems are very convenient because there are no electrical wires to run or short out.
If you are located in the Northern hemisphere, your solar panels should be facing south. People who live in the Southern hemisphere should install their panels facing north. Putting them in any other way will defeat the entire purpose since the panels will not have a chance to collect a large amount of energy from the sun.
Check with your local power company as to whether they have a program to buy excess electricity collected by your solar panels. Some utility companies will give homeowners credits to apply to any energy provided to them. These programs are becoming more available as more and more people install solar panels on their home.
Solar panels produce DC electricity but your appliances need AC energy. You will have to invest in a quality power inverter to turn DC electricity into AC power. Select your power inverter carefully and do not hesitate to invest in an expensive one since the efficiency of your inverter could directly impact the amount of power you can generate with your panels.
In order to maximize the money you can save by using solar energy, consider using a solar panel system that is tied to the power grid. If your system produces a surplus of energy, you can sell that energy to the power company that owns the grid. This will let you save even more money.
IF you are thinking about using solar energy in your home, you must determine whether or not it is a cost effective decision. Weigh the costs of installation and purchasing the equipment against the amount you are likely to save at your latitude. If it doesn't make financial sense, don't do it.
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.
Talk to others about solar energy. Talk to your friends and family about the ways that solar energy http://my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/146084209798/how-to-install-a-led-retrofit-kit-into-an-existing/ saves them money. Talk to them about why use of solar energy is important. They may not understand what is at stake until someone they trust can give them the information they need.
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.
How that you know how to use solar power in your own life, you need to get started. Take these tips and start putting them into action. The sooner you do, the sooner you'll be saving money on energy bills while helping to keep the Earth a place where everyone can live.
