Go Green With These Solar Energy Ideas.

There are a lot of people in the world that are intimidated when they think about solar energy. It is a fairly new concept for many, and it is sometimes quite difficult to adapt to new things. Keep reading if you want to clear up any confusion you may have about solar energy.

Solar energy systems allow you to cut your ties to the outside world. You can go completely off grid with one of these systems. You will not have to pay monthly fees or wonder who is watching your power use. You can increase your level of privacy while saving the environment and your money.

Make sure your solar panels aren't shaded. You need to be sure that there is nothing new shading your panels either. If there's something like a tree in the way, it should be trimmed. Panels work exponentially, so having a fourth of a panel shaded can actually make you lose half of its output. If your panels can't get any sun, you're losing money.

Don't underestimate the importance of doing business with a reputable solar panel supplier. Although it may be tempting to purchase inexpensive panels from an overseas supplier, in the long run that may not be beneficial. Try to find businesses that will still be in operation in twenty years so that spare panels for your system will be readily available.

Believe it or not, solar energy can actually be used in weather conditions where there is very little sunlight. The secret to drawing power under these conditions is in the solar panels. The solar panels have special cells that can still capture parts of the solar spectrum and still generate power.

It is vital that the person who installs your solar power system is actually licensed to do so. An installer who is not licensed may install your solar panels incorrectly, or they may violate local regulations. In addition, a licensed installer can provide you with great information about these regulations that an unlicensed installer cannot.

When you are figuring out the return on your solar power investment, do not forget that you can sell back energy to your utility company if you generate a surplus. This is usually in the form of a credit on your utility bills. Even though the initial investment may be hefty, the long-term financial benefits is there for the taking.

The amount of energy your solar panel will produce is rated by watts. For example, if your solar panel is rated 100 watts, then on a clear day, your solar panel will produce 100 watts per hour. To find out how much electricity you need to produce, look at your electric bill and divide the total by 30 days and then divide it by 3 as there is generally bright sunlight one third of the day.

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.

Keep in mind that the advertised wattage of solar panels is very different from the amount of power you will be able to generate. The advertised wattage corresponds to what the panel could produce in perfect conditions that cannot be found in nature. Look for a tolerance rating to get a better idea of how much power the panel can generate.

One of the easiest things at your home to convert to solar power is your outdoor lighting. There are many attractive solar lighting options available at your local home center. These fixtures are easy to install and are relatively inexpensive. Spend some time browsing the selections and see which options will be suitable for your outdoor needs.

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.

Place your solar panels and batteries as close to each other as possible. This is because energy is lost as it travels through the wires. By having the batteries near the solar panels, you can ensure that you are able to store the maximum amount of energy produced from your solar panels.

It is never easy to change the way you are living, particularly if things have been the same for quite some time. The article above was written to help you understand that solar energy does not have to be so frightening. It is something that can help you save the Earth while saving some of your hard-earned money.