Solar Energy And You: Tips And Techniques
If you have thought about implementing solar energy in your home or business in the past, then you have likely run into many questions. Continue reading this article to answer some of your questions and to find out how you can use solar energy to your benefit. You are going to be surprised at how many benefits there really are.
The conversion efficiency rating of a panel is a good way to figure out how much power you will be able to generate. If you are hesitating between different products, compare their conversion efficiency rating but do not forget to take other factors into consideration, especially if you have specific expectations for your panels.
Your location will determine the best angle for your solar panels. Consider latitude during installation to get the most electrical output you can from the panels.
Before making a choice on how many solar panels you use make a list of all the electrical appliances you use and the wattage and hours utilized by each one. This will be helpful in determining how much solar power you will need. No matter if you decide to install the equipment yourself or have someone else do it, this information will help your choices.
Solar panels offer so much more besides just lighting up your house. They can heat your home and water, too. The solar panel system you install can significantly reduce the cost of energy for your home or maybe even eliminate energy costs completely. You could even end up with the power company paying you!
Energy bills for a growing family can be high. With the constant use of computers, televisions, and charging portable devices, constantly reminding children to conserve power can be frustrating. Switching to solar energy is a smart move in this situation.
Do you have some outside lights for your home? You should consider using solar panels to power them. An outside light system can easily be powered by one or two solar panel and you will see a difference on your energy bills right away. Make sure you use energy-efficient light-bulbs for your outside light and you will save even more.
One easy way to save some money on your electric bills while adding an interesting feature to your front or back lawn is installing solar-powered path lights. These lights use energy from the sun to remain powered at night! This is a pretty way to keep a path lit while saving energy.
Position solar panels on the east or west side of your home or business. Since the sun travels from east to west throughout the day, placing solar panels on areas of your roof that face north or south is a waste. You'll get much better energy returns by following the same path as the sun.
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.
Take the time to compare different types of solar panels before you invest in a green energy system. There are different technologies and brands to compare and it is true that the most expensive panels are often the most efficient ones. Talk with vendors and professionals to learn more about solar panels.
Gone are the days when solar panels were ungainly and unattractive. There are panels meant to blend in with roofs of varying materials, like slate or cement.
Power sources that are run by fossil fuels are run by machines that require motors. Those motors require constant maintenance. With solar energy systems, there are limited parts required so they are extremely low maintenance. You will save money on fuel as well as maintaining the system over the years.
Write down the typical power consumed by your household on a daily basis and average this over a week's period of time. Use this number, with small adjustments for "worst case scenarios", to determine the size of your new solar panels. Always go with a slightly larger build instead of multiple, smaller panels if possible.
There are plenty of kits available to help you with assembly and installation of your panels. Probably the largest expense that comes with using solar panels is the installation fee. You can wind up keeping quite a few of your dollars if you can install solar panels on your own.
After having read this article, you should feel like you have what it takes to start writing out a plan for solar energy in your home or business. Knowing the many benefits makes it definitely worthwhile. Remember everything you've learned so that you can fully take advantage of all opportunities.
