Knowhow-Now Article

Will Solar Power Work For You?

Solar energy has become popular. Many people have converted their homes to solar power and are happy with the results. On the other hand, some people's enthusiasm wanes as they learn the costs and complexity of installing solar. It is not for everyone. Everyone wants to help the environment. But whether solar power makes sense for your home is something you want to calculate carefully before you go ahead. These tips will inform you of some of the factors you must consider in deciding pro or con for solar power.

Solar power is the ultimate renewable resource. Sun rays are unfailing. Even on a cloudy or cold day, your solar collectors will work. But the efficiency of solar depends a lot on your location. The more sun you receive, the more sense it makes to use solar energy. Improvements in solar panels mean this energy is still feasible in cold and cloudy northern climates. But it is more efficient in sunny southern climates. You can calculate your monthly kilowatt hours used and divide this by the mean solar radiation for your location. Figuring the number of solar panels you will need to use to provide your needed wattage will give you roughly the size of the solar array you will need. Will it fit on your roof? Do you have enough south-facing roof space? Or eastern and western-facing roof area? If not, you may want to install solar as a partial energy source, while still using some electricity from the grid.

Tip: If you are interested in alternative energy sources, you can start by contacting your current energy provider to see if they have anything to offer. Many companies are now able to harness power from solar and wind power.

You can even decide to just run one appliance using solar power. Many people opt for a solar hot water heater, which can repay its cost in 2 to 4 years. A complete whole house solar energy system will usually take 10 to 15 years to pay for itself. The high initial costs turns many people away from solar. But in some areas there are programs which allow you to pay the cost over a period of 10 or more years--just as you pay for a mortgage over a period of many years.

In southern regions, especially desert areas, you can count on a steady, ample supply of sunlight. But in the far north, there will be big variations between winter and summer. In the winter, you may have to depend more on the power grid. This will affect your budget. You will want to figure this out ahead of time. But in many regions, when your system is producing surplus power, you can actually sell it to the electric company. Your electric meter will run backwards.

Tip: Plant a tree in your yard. The tree adds to the oxygen level in the environment, helps the air clean itself, and if the tree produces fruit or nuts, it also adds to your family's food supply.

Don't forget about passive solar technology. Great strides have been made in making windows that use solar energy to heat a room. High tech double paned windows with gas in the middle can reduce your heating and cooling costs. They are designed to tilt so that they let sun rays in during winter but block them during the summer. They are low maintenance and bring real cost savings.

"Going solar" is a big decision. Following these tips can help you make this decision carefully, so that it brings benefits in both comfort and affordability.

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