The Tips And Tricks Handbook For Solar Energy
One of the most widely used forms of renewable energy is solar. In theory, it makes sense for everyone to use this technology. However, there are several factors to consider in order to determine whether or not solar power is right for you. Use the information below to help make that decision.
Almost all solar systems are scalable to the amount of space you have in your home. A complete system is not required in many cases. If you do not have the room to fully power your home using solar, you can use the space you have to power part of your home.
Solar panels must be kept clean. Clean glass on your solar panels translates into better space for the sun to do its job. How often you should clean the panels depends on the area you live in. Solar panels in areas with a lot of dust or pollen may need to be cleaned more frequently.
As you comparison shop for solar power systems, remember that not all brands were created equal. You want to go with a product that has a reputable manufacturer. It is wonderful if another brand offers a substantial warranty or a great discount, but those things won't help you very much if the company goes out of business in a few years.
Before installing a solar energy system, check your local, state and federal guidelines. Although most areas allow for solar panels, some neighborhoods limit the placement of solar panels to the back of your home or building. This is because some homeowner associations say solar panels distract from the overall look of the neighborhood. Therefore, to ensure you are within your guidelines, read and follow the stated requirements.
Look into portable solar energy battery packs. These can be extremely useful when you are somewhere that does not have access to power. For example, it could be used to charge your cell phone while you are camping in a remote location. It has recently become very popular, and because of this, it is relatively inexpensive.
Even if you are not in a position personally to change over your home to solar energy, you might know someone who is. Encouraging other people to make the change can help open peoples eyes to the benefits of using renewable energy. You can also learn from them if they do install them as well.
When people talk about solar energy, they mainly think about the large panels installed on the roof of a home. These are popular, but they are not the only way to use the heat of the sun for power. Install attic fans in your roof. The heat from your attic causes the blades to spin and generate power.
Keep the trees around your solar energy panels trimmed. Shade from trees can limit the sun's rays that are hitting your panels, thereby causing your panels to work less effectively. In order to avoid this problem, make sure to trim back leaves and branches regularly. This is easy to do, and it is cost effective too.
Positioning is key when obtaining solar energy with the help of solar panels. The panels of your home must face the area where the sun will be when the day is at the hottest temperature. For homes in the Northern hemisphere, the panels must face south and be angled at the home's horizontal plus 15 degrees.
Living a green life helps protect the environment and generally helps you save money. By choosing solar energy options such as solar heating, solar hot water heating and solar lighting, you can rest assured that you are helping to save the planet. Keep your solar products free from dirt and debris for best results.
If you own a pool, consider using a solar water heating system to keep it warm in the cooler months. Solar heating is much less expensive than electric or even gas heating, and it is relatively easy to install. In the first year alone, you can save about thirty percent over the cost of heating your swimming pool with electricity.
The best solar systems have a way to reposition the panels depending on the season. But if you have to have a fixed panel, choose the best compromise between positions that you can.
Do you have a pool? You could save a lot by investing in solar panels. There are small solar energy systems designed to power a water heater or a water pump and since you only use your pool during the warmer months, your panels will work perfectly when you need them.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, solar energy seems like it would make sense for everyone. However, having read this article, you should now understand that there are some cases where solar energy simply isn't worth it. Use the information above when trying to decide whether or not solar energy is a viable option for you.
