Although solar energy has been around a while, many different people are still interested in the topic. In order to become an expert on solar energy, it's crucial that you learn all the knowledge you can on this subject. Read the below article to increase your knowledge on solar energy.
Are you wondering how you can help to reduce your carbon footprint on the earth? There are many small ways that you can do this, but by switching to solar energy you can help to make a big impact. Solar energy is renewable, meaning healthy for the environment and good for your wallet too.
Your home or business should receive at least five hours of direct sunlight per day to get the most from solar energy. Obviously more sun is better when it comes to solar panels, however if you get less than this solar energy can still be a viable option. If you are in an area where energy bills are sky high, solar might still save you money even if you don't have the optimal sun exposure.
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.
One great way to take advantage of solar energy is by constructing a heat well just inside the south facing windows or patio doors of your home. This well collects heat from the sun during the day and releases it after dark. This form of solar energy is completely passive and requires no maintenance.
Consider changing out your windows when you install a solar energy system. Installing energy efficient windows will help your home be easier to heat and cool, maximizing your energy savings. Since you will now be providing your own power, it is a good idea to save energy wherever you can.
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.
Don't cheap out on the installation! Yes, you've spent a lot of hard earned cash on these solar panels, but that's the point entirely. You've made a huge investment, and you'll want these panels to be secured perfectly. If you opt for someone with less experience or a spotty track record to save a bit of cash, then you'll likely have lots of issues in the future.
Find a vendor who offers a lengthy warranty for your solar panels. A lengthy warranty is a sign that the vendor has faith in the products and it will help you save a lot of money in case your panels malfunction. Do some background research on the vendor you chose to make sure they are likely to still be around over the next decades.
Check with your local power company as to whether they have a program to buy excess electricity collected by your solar panels. Some utility companies will give homeowners credits to apply to any energy provided to http://my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/146202826228/4-reasons-warehouses-and-factories-are-switching/ them. These programs are becoming more available as more and more people install solar panels on their home.
Solar panels aren't bound for the roof, necessarily. The more space you have around your building, the better. Mounts which move allow you to position the panels efficiently. These panels do take up a lot of yard space.
Solar panels contribute to your home's energy in a lot of different ways. Solar power can also heat your home and your water. Solar systems can make a significant difference. You don't want to be overpaying the power company.
Be grounded in your expectations of what you can get out of solar water heating. First, even the best of them are only a third more economically efficient that the best electric models, but they still save money. Secondly, never assume morning showers mean cold water. Water that's solar-heated is going to be warm for about a day.
If you pay quite a bit for electricity and live somewhere that the sun goes over throughout the day, solar energy is something to consider. The initial outlays for installation and then maintenance will pay off.
Take into consideration the purpose and location of the solar panel, particularly where the power is utilized and the voltages that it will require. Most panels work with 12VDC outputs, but there are other alternatives available for certain needs. Check the voltage ratings on the panels and find a size that fits.
Use winter sunshine hours instead of summer hours whenever you are calculating how many solar panels you will need. This is because winter sunshine hours only add up to about half that of summer. It is better to overestimate how many panels you will need rather than underestimate. If you underestimate, you will end up losing power when you need it.
Some state governments or city governments offer incentives to help homeowners invest in solar energy. You should contact your local government to find out if you qualify for any tax credits, grants or other types of incentives. Make sure your solar energy system corresponds to the rules and regulations set by your local governments to benefit from these incentives.
If you will be ground mounting your solar panels, consider the wildlife in your area. Panels can be quickly destroyed by curious raccoons, hungry deer or hibernating squirrels. Try to place your panels in an area that is not easily accessible to such animals to optimize the lifespan of those panels.
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.
As you can see, solar energy is a perfectly viable energy resource. It has the potential to rival may other commonly used forms of energy, such as fossil fuels. The great thing about solar energy is that it does no harm to the environment. Now is the perfect time to use solar energy.
