Solar energy is one of the great technological advances of our time. It saves average people a lot of money and helps large corporations operate in an environmentally friendly manner. If you are considering making the switch to solar, read on. This article will show you the benefits and how you can make them work for you.
Start small if you are just starting out with solar energy. Buying some solar energy lights to use in landscape lighting can save power and help the planet. You can find them at big box and even home improvement stores. Installing this sort of lighting system is a no-brainer. Walk down your garden path and poke the lights into the ground!
Humans have taken advantage of the sun's heat for thousands of years. A lot of energy can be saved by drying your clothes outdoors http://privateschol.dept.ku.edu/Final_Table.php/ in sunny weather. This cuts down a lot on the energy used to dry your clothing in an electric or gas clothes dryer, and linens dried outside smell great.
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.
Sun tracking panels are the most efficient available. Systems like this follow the sun's movement during the day and through the seasons. Initially, it may cost a lot more than a fixed system, but it will produce more energy.
Make sure that any solar panels you put up are actually cost effective. While the installation cost can be dented with government assistance, you need to know how http://www.mass.gov/eea/ long it will take for energy savings to return your investment. Also factor in that you are not likely to get the same amount of power every single month.
When you're planning on installing a solar energy system, you should shop around and get a few quotes. You'll be able to see how much prices vary between providers. While you shouldn't be completely swayed by price, it's crucial that you don't just go for the cheapest since cheaper components can cost you a lot more later.
If you are thinking about having a solar system installed, make sure that your home or business is suited for it. Sometimes the layout of the roof will not accommodate the proper angle for maximum energy production. Talk to more than one company to ensure the contractor is being honest about your solar situation.
Be sure mountings on solar energy panels are engineer certified for your area. For instance, if if you're in an area that gets frequent cyclones, the mountings need to be cyclone rated. High-quality systems will be wind certified to ensure they don't blow away in a huge wind storm. Mounting is an important part of the system and not all suppliers regard them that way. Stay alert when buying your system to make sure they have proper certifications.
Keeping your solar panels clean is essential to getting the most out of them. Dirty panels will not absorb the solar rays as well as clean panels will. It seems to be common sense to keep them clean, but many people assume that the rain will clean them. But they still need a thorough cleaning to keep them in optimum condition.
Avoid standing or walking on solar panels except when no other option is available. Remember that your panels are expensive and any kind of damage on their surface could reduce their efficiency. If walking on them is necessary, then ensure you do not walk on their ends because the ends are the most fragile parts of solar panels.
Once your panels are in place, keep an eye on them and monitor them regularly. Get to know what you daily output of energy is, what everything looks like when operating optimally and even keep a record of such things. This can help you quickly notice when something isn't working correctly and help you ascertain where the problem is.
Check for government financial incentives when you considering solar energy. While the cost of purchasing and installing panels can be high, there are certain government grant, loan and rebate programs that can help offset this cost. By understanding these programs, you can make a smart financial investment that allows you to take advantage of this green energy source.
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.
Don't allow the first store you visit to convince you that their solar panels are the best. It may seem that solar cells are typically the same wherever you go, but there is actually a big difference across the market and it's easy to miss the important statistics. Pay attention to wattage, size, and cost on each option.
Converting your whole house to solar power can be expensive. Before you commit, look at how much you can afford. The initial investment will be very large, but there will come a time when you will break even, then start realizing your savings. Work out the numbers so that you will know how it will affect your long-term budget.
Consider selling extra energy back to your local utilities. If you live in an area of abundant sunshine, you may be able to not only save money on your power, but earn a little extra too. Many power companies allow solar energy users to sell extra power back to them, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity.
If you are looking for a solar energy system, make sure to ask your friends and neighbors about their experiences with various companies. A recommendation, or a warning, that you are familiar with can help you to make a smart buying decision. Your friends can also let you know about their experiences after installation, including any warranty issues and cost savings the system has offered.
Solar energy has helped millions of people reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprints. Hopefully now that you have read this article you have been made aware of the many benefits of going green and switching to solar power. There is no doubt still much to learn, but you should be off to a good start now.
