Have you been wondering about solar energy? It does not matter if your needs are residential or commercial; solar power brings with it many benefits. The following article will teach you the ins and outs of solar energy.
Solar Panels
The amount of energy production is dependent on two things – the number of solar panels installed combined with the efficiency of your panels. Therefore, it’s important that you calculate the number of solar panels you will need to power your home. You may get better results using a few high performance panels instead of many less efficient ones.
Photo-voltaic solar panels come in two varieties. Poly-crystalline panels are generally less expensive; however, they are not as efficient as mono-crystalline panels. Do not hesitate to invest in expensive solar panels to put together an efficient solar energy system.
You can determine the efficiency of your solar panels by their density. With a high density the price will be increased, but you’ll generate a lot more energy. Before you select your solar panels, you should consider panel density.
To get the most from solar panels in your home or business, go for installations that use technology not directly reliant on the sun’s schedule. A lot of the newer solar panel models can store enough energy that you can use at any time. This ensures that you always have the power you need, even when it is nighttime or raining.
Once you have produced solar energy, you will have to have a reliable storage device for it. You have two options here. You can either sell the excess power to the electric company to offset the costs during cloudy days, or you can get a bank of batteries that will allow you to get off the grid completely.
You should also consider a backup power system in the even your solar panels malfunction. You might want to stay connected to the grid, or you might purchase a generator. If you choose to go the generator route, consistently test it. You may also want to have multiple generators.
Rebates and incentives from the government are a great way to help your solar panels more affordable. At first glance, such a system seems very expensive. Look into grants and rebates available from your state and federal government that reward those who use renewable energy. This will help cut your expenses significantly. You can even get some deductions at tax time.
Solar Panels
Think over your budget carefully before you start thinking about buying solar panels. Solar panels might not be a good option if you cannot count on optimal exposure to sun rays in your area or if you use more power than a regular solar energy system can generate. You need to do all your homework, so you know if this type of energy is really going to save you money.
You can save money on your heating bill by installing solar photovoltaic panels on your home or utilizing solar water heating. You will need 5 hours of sunlight a day to keep the panels working their best. If you have a swimming pool, you can use a solar water heater to reduce the costs of heating your pool.
When you own your own home, you can’t go wrong with a complete solar energy system. If you are still making payments on your home, your solar panels will represent an additional financial obligation, and you might end up losing both investments if you cannot make payments on your home anymore.
Smaller panels are often a more sensible choice than larger ones. Many things affect the quality, like wattage, the materials it’s made of, and the warranty. All of these things should be considered when looking into this large purchase.
Dry clothing outside. Even though this idea has been used for many years, it’s still efficient. Rather than use your appliance to dry your laundry, hang it outside on a clothesline. This method will save you money and energy.
You now know more about the benefits of solar energy in your home. So isn’t about time that you harnessed the power of the sun for yourself? Take what you have learned about solar power and start saving money and the planet.