Solar Energy 101: Everything You Need To Know
The promise of solar energy is something that far too many individuals have overlooked in recent years. However, the simple cure for that situation is knowledge. By spending some time acquiring detailed information about what solar energy can do for you, it is possible to start making smart decisions about concrete ways in which solar energy can improve your life.
If you decide to put solar energy panels on your home, remember to keep them clean. Your solar panels must reflect the sun's rays in order to store the sun's energy for use in your home or business. If they are dirty, they can not effectively do this. By keeping them clean, you will get the most bang for your buck!
The efficiency of solar panels depends on their density. You will be able to produce more energy if you choose panels with a high density, even though these panels can be more expensive. Prior to buying solar panels, look at their density.
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.
Consider your home's outside design when thinking about solar energy. Having solar-powered pathway lights installed outside is an easy way to use solar energy at home. If you're building a home, positioning it so that it can take advantage of the sun's rays is also beneficial. Well-oriented homes filter in winter sun rays in the south-facing windows and that can reduce heating bills.
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.
Try to choose solar panels that can have their angles adjusted easily. The angle at which the sun hits the Earth changes throughout the year. This means that the best angle to catch the suns rays can be very different between summer and winter. Ideally you want to at least be able to adjust the angle of your panels twice a year, however if you can find some that allow adjustments four times a year (spring, summer, fall, winter) that is even better.
Remember - you get what you pay for! Yes, there are a lot of cheaper solar panels flooding into the market from abroad. But many of those panels might not last more than a few years, and solar energy is about a long term investment. It's better to get solar panels known for their quality that'll last for decades, rather than a cheap option that may only last a few years.
Do not be discouraged at the cost of starting solar energy. You may find it pricy to get the products you need for setting up a solar energy system. But, you will find a much cheaper electric bill every month, paying off the initial start up cost and then some.
If your goal is solar power, begin with areas around your space that can be converted easily. You might want to begin with small appliances, so that you don't have a lot of disruption in your daily routine. Converting a little bit at a time can help you feel more confident about committing to solar energy for your home.
You may want to buy the least amount of solar panels possible since they are costly. Have an expert do an audit of what your energy usage is. This will show you possible sources of wasted energy so that you can make the appropriate changes. You won't need that many panels installed if you do.
Interview a few different solar panel installers before choosing the one for you. You've made a big investment by choosing solar panels, and you don't want any costly mistakes occurring during the installation. Find a team that knows their stuff. A company that has a track record that you can respect.
Maximize the power output of the space you use for solar panels. This means you should invest in quality panels that can produce high amounts of energy without taking up your entire roof. Maximizing the power output of your panels will allow you to easily expand your system if you need to produce more energy.
Lots of people have yet to fully appreciate the true potential solar energy offers. Fortunately, with some simple, factual information, that dilemma can easily be solved. Hopefully the article above has given you the sort of foundation of understanding necessary to continue a personal exploration of how you might integrate solar technologies into your lifestyle.