Reasons To Install Solar Panels On Your House
Depending on where you live, putting solar panels on your home can make a lot of sense. Not only will the panels cut your monthly power bill, it will also reduce your carbon footprint on the environment. These tips below are designed to provide you with basic information about solar energy.
Whether or not you have solar panels on your home, the sun will still shine on it a lot of the year. There is no reason to let all of that free energy go to waste, particularly if you live in a part of the world where it is usually sunny. The energy that your panels bring in will go into the electric grid that you plug into, and you will get a credit from your utility toward your bill. In the sunny months, you might even get some money back instead of having a bill.
Solar panels are expensive. Unless you plan on living in your house for more than 10 years, it is unlikely that the energy savings you receive will pay for the solar panels, even with government rebates. That said, if you know you are going to be in your house for the long haul, then solar panels may be just the ticket for you.
The only reason that a cloudy day would wipe out your power is if you unhooked your home from the electric grid. If you stay plugged in, you will still have access to the utility system, which means that you will have power even if your panels aren't pushing kilowatts into the grid. If you want to have environmentally friendly power from the grid as well, you can usually request 100 percent pollution-free or, in some areas, 100 percent wind power. That way you're not doing anything to pollute the environment when you get your power.
It is important to keep in mind that solar panels are not the most attractive things in the world. If you have an old Spanish tile roof on top of what looks like a Barcelona villa, for example, a solar array on top of that house will change the look. If you work with your contractor, though, you may be able to find a way to erect an array that still keeps your traditional look. On most homes, though, it's unlikely that solar panels will stick out, given the fact that many people have several satellite dishes sticking out of their roofs.
Your local government (state or county) will have an office dedicated to answering questions about your power needs. Look on the website for your state or county government and navigate to the page that will tell you how to contact that office. The person you talk to will be able to answer that question more specifically. Don't call a contractor and ask -- they are unlikely to tell you that solar is a bad idea, even if you live in an area plagued with monsoons.
Putting solar panels on your home can benefit you in a number of ways. The upfront cost is high, but you can get your money back if you are staying in your home for the long term.
