One of the fastest growing forms of renewable energy is solar power. These days, it isn't uncommon to see solar panels installed in the roofs of residential homes. If you are considering turning to solar power, this article is for you. Read at an learn everything you need to about solar energy.
Solar energy through the use of solar panels can last up to 30 years. It is a long-lived use of energy and requires very little maintenance on your part. Since there are no movable parts, solar-energy panels don't break or need repair. This can provide years of electricity bill savings.
Avoid technology which relies on the sun's scheduling. Contemporary panels do not rely on the sun to stay effective. This can be quite useful if you use power at night.
If you cannot afford to purchase http://www.umass.edu/umfa/scholarship-detail?page=1 a solar energy system for your entire house, consider using it in just one or two spaces. Solar energy is a great option for heating swimming pools for instance, or bringing additional warmth to a cooler bedroom. You can always start small and purchase more later, as your budget allows.
Should your solar panels fail to work as they should, it is good to have a backup plan. You can either purchase a generator, or simply stay connected to your local power grid, drawing extra power as you need it. If you choose to go the generator route, consistently test it. You may also want to have multiple generators.
When using solar power, you do not have to worry about harming the environment in any way. Fossil fuels send harmful greenhouse gases off into the atmosphere, and they contribute to global warming and climate change. However, solar cells have no impact on the environment and are safe to use.
When you want to be green, solar power is for you. Sunlight is a renewable resource, and a solar energy system takes full advantage of this. Making use of this technology will greatly reduce your use of fossil fuels.
If you're building your own home, then this is an excellent time for you to consider solar energy. Solar energy is a great alternative energy source since it hardly affects the environment at all. There is no better time to investigate the benefits of solar energy.
Lots of people aren't aware that solar power systems make the use of a power grid obsolete. You can be off it, operating independently. This means that there's no monthly electric bill for you to pay or that you don't have to set up electric service any more when you move.
One of the biggest and best advantages of solar energy is that it does not release any harmful substances in the environment. Fossil fuels, which are used for regular energy, give off harmful substances, like carbon dioxide. In the end, these gasses can ruin the environment and harm animals and plants.
If you have a pool, don't even think of heating it any other way than solar! This is easily the most efficient use of solar power there is and it will save you a bundle. Solar heating systems cost about the same or less than conventional systems and basically operate themselves so stop wasting your money doing it the old-fashioned way!
Keep in mind that purchasing a solar power system often enables you to receive tax credits from the government. You may find that you get back as much as 30 percent of the total cost of your system. So, if you look into a system and think that it costs too much, investigate whether or not you will get credit back to determine how affordable it actually is.
You don't necessarily have to stick the solar panels in the typical locations you see in the brochures. There only needs to be a small gap of approximately 1" behind the panel for air circulation. You can find interesting positions anywhere on your property that work with the style and design of the surrounding area.
Decide whether you want to be on or off the power grid. Many people look forward to getting "off the grid" when they switch to solar power, however this may not be the best choice. Staying on your power grid means that when you have poor sunlight conditions you have the ability to purchase additional power when you need it. As a bonus, when you produce more power than you use, you can sell the excess back to the utilities.
Remember that you can both save and earn money by installing a solar energy system. Even a medium sized installation will drastically reduce your electric bill each month. The added bonus to that is if you have any electricity produced that isn't needed to power your home, you can sell it back to a utility company for electricity credits.
Before you install a PV system in your home, contact the local utility company for http://www.cagbc.org/ an energy audit. An energy audit assesses the amount of energy you are using before you supplement it with solar power. This will help you find areas where you can save electricity or areas that need to be fixed before the system is installed.
Check that your solar-energy installer has the proper licenses and insurance. Installing solar panels on a steep roof is a delicate job, and you should feel confident that your installers know what they are doing. At a minimum, look for a contracting license, workers compensation insurance, and general liability insurance.
When you choose to make an upgrade to solar energy, you are making a lifetime investment that will always provide some benefit. Most solar panels have an expected life between 5 and 25 years, depending on the quality of the manufacturer. Among these numbers, most devices last up to 80% of this maximum and come with warranties to cover this period.
If you are thinking about installing solar panels in your home, it is very important that you purchase them from a reputable company. With solar power becoming so popular, there are a number of new businesses popping up all the time. Be sure and deal with a company that you can trust.
Solar energy can provide many benefits to many individuals. However, not enough people seem to realize everything that it has to offer. Now you should have enough information to do some more exploring of solar energy.
