Advice To Learn About Using Solar Energy

Your lack of knowledge on solar energy might be stopping you from installing a system. There are many things you need to know before you begin so that you’re able to get the full benefit of solar energy. Read the below article to expand your knowledge on the subject.

Start small when you want to start using solar energy. A small investment of just a few solar powered garden lights is a great way to get started. You can find these at many retail establishments. Just insert them into the ground, and you’re good to go.

Avoid technology which relies on the sun’s scheduling. More recent solar panels can gather energy from the sun and allow you to use it whenever you would like. This ensures that you always have the power you need, even when it is nighttime or raining.

You have to find a way to keep the energy your system produces. Invest in a quality battery that can store large quantities of power over long periods of time or consider selling the energy you produce to the main power grid so you can keep drawing power from the grid.

Even though solar energy panels are affixed to your roof, you must be able to adjust the panels’ angles as needed. The ideal angle of your panels will change throughout the day and from one season to the next.

If you want to lease solar energy rather than purchase it, be certain that your agreement permits transfer of lease rights. You don’t want to have to pay off your solar energy system lease when you are living somewhere else! If you can transfer it to the new owners, you’ll be fine.

Understand that even if you live in a colder climate, you can still use solar energy. It doesn’t need to be like Florida all year round for it to be a big part of your energy savings goals. A cold and sunny place can receive more sun that a hot but shady one.

Two of the most popular ways to cut heating costs include installing solar water heaters and solar panels. Photovoltaic panels work best in areas that get about five hours of unobstructed sunlight. Many people take advantage of solar water heaters in order to lower the costs involved with heating their swimming pool.

Think about getting an attic fan that’s solar powered if you’re not totally sure about getting solar power for your whole home. This type of fan features sensors that can turn on the fan at a certain temperature. A good attic fan can reduce energy costs by removing excess heat from your attic. Because this fan is solar powered, your power bill will not be impacted.

Look into regulations in the state (and locally) regarding solar energy systems. Always check with local requirements that affect your installation and placement of solar panels. You would hate to install a system and then have to take it down due to regulations.

Larger solar panels are not necessarily a good option. The quality of each panel is affected by many factors, like wattage and warranty. You should carefully go over everything before making a decision.

If solar panels are something you’re interested in, you should start looking carefully at the weather. For ample energy production, your panels must have five hours of good sun daily. When your area is burdened by clouds or snowfalls, this isn’t the energy source for you.

Regardless of the solar energy system you choose, be sure your panels face the sun. The sun provides the energy, so the panels need to have unobstructed access to its rays.

The installation of your solar panels is just like any home improvement project. Conduct a bit of research on vendors and seek references and do some comparison shopping. Go over contracts with a fine-tooth comb, and don’t hesitate to have them reviewed by a lawyer.

If you are new to solar energy and cannot afford to purchase solar panels, consider leasing them. This can reduce your payments dramatically while giving you the same benefits.

When you can’t afford a full system, instead start with a solar water heating system. Water heaters make up a large portion of the energy that a home consumes during the year. Your costs are going to be lower upon installation of your solar water heating system.

Before hiring a solar energy installer, be sure to perform a background check. You want to be sure that the company you give your business to will still be there to help you in ten or twenty years. This will ensure your warranty stays valid as well as give you a resource if you need replacement parts.

Take these tips into consideration if you plan to install a solar energy solution for your business or home. Solar energy is becoming more common, but it still is outside the mainstream. With any luck, you have received the insight you needed, and are prepared to move forward. Reliable, renewable energy is a wonderful thing!

One Reply to “Advice To Learn About Using Solar Energy”

  1. Thank you for the article.

    Some clarifications are in order: “Avoid technology which relies on the sun’s scheduling. More recent solar panels can gather energy from the sun and allow you to use it whenever you would like…” I do not know of any solar panels that store energy, are you referring to something that is still in the development stage?

    “Invest in a quality battery that can store large quantities of power over long periods of time”. A large and expensive bank of batteries is required to store power to be used over a long period of time such as 24 hours when sunlight may not be available. The typical consumer getting started with solar is usually looking for a lower cost system without batteries. It is very important to explain that batteries are not needed to have power available 24/7 that is just as reliable as their local utility. The vast majority of solar PV systems are tied to the local grid with equipment that switches over to utility power automatically at night and on cloudy days, thus eliminating the need for batteries.

    “Even though solar energy panels are affixed to your roof, you must be able to adjust the panels’ angles as needed. The ideal angle of your panels will change throughout the day and from one season to the next.” Nearly all roof mounted panel systems use a fixed position mount, and it is typically not practical to adjust them.

    “Regardless of the solar energy system you choose, be sure your panels face the sun.” People should know that the optimum direction for panels to face is directly South, but they can still work reasonably well if they face any angle between southeast and southwest.

    Thanks for helping educate people about solar energy!

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