How do you use the sun? Do you let it wake you in the morning? Or do you enjoy lying out in it on a summer's day? Do you use it to power your home or business? If not, today is the day to get started, so keep reading to find out more.
Find out if your local energy provider offers meter rollback programs. Once you have a solar energy system, you should consider joining one of these programs so you can sell the energy you produce to the main grid and draw the same amount of energy instead of purchasing an expensive battery system to store your power.
If you're thinking about installing solar panels to generate your own electricity, make sure that the roof you'll be installing them on gets plenty of good sunlight. Good sunlight occurs between 9am and 3pm. You'll generate the most electricity if your roof receives full, exposed sunlight between those hours every day.
If you don't want to or can't go for full solar power, at least consider a solar water heating system. Many regional and community governments offer financial incentives, rebates and tax credits for even doing this, just like they do for full solar installations. Check with your local government before doing anything to know the perks.
Make sure to have your solar panels professionally installed. The installation of these panels needs to be very precise, and you do not want to mess it up. Having a professional installation also provides you with a warranty, and this gives you somewhere to turn if things are not working right.
If you are planning to move to remote location you may want to have solar energy panels installed on your home. Solar energy is still relatively expensive to install, but it can be more affordable than wiring power to your home. Get quotes on both before you decide which route you will take.
Get online to find your local Internet solar panel community. You can find out good information about peaks and lows in solar energy use in your area. If you get particularly adept at getting on a roof to clean your solar panels, you might can even market yourself and make a few bucks off other solar panel owners afraid of heights.
Check for government certification on any solar panel you are considering buying. Consider this tip a must. The government's seal of approval lets you know that these panels are deemed quality and efficient. Plus, some of the financial benefits of using solar panels (tax credits, etc.) rely on using certified panels.
Look into the warranties of the solar panels you are considering. A quality solar panel should have a warranty for twenty years or more. If you don't get that with the panels you are considering, then move in a different direction. It may cost a little more, but it'll be worth it for the peace of mind.
Be wary of pushy salesmen who make promises that seem too good to be true. They're common, so you will probably run into at least one or two of them. You can tell them you'll be back later, and they should be fine with it. If a salesperson is relying on pressure to close sales, he probably has a very low level of confidence in the quality of his product. Being pressured to make a decision right away can end up costing you a lot of unnecessary money, so don't allow salespeople to bully you into a sale.
Think about heating your hot tub or pool water with solar energy. These devices are some of the most energy consuming things that people have in their homes these days. If you use solar energy instead of standard energy to power these you could greatly reduce your carbon footprint and save money in the end.
Low prices can be very attractive but keep in mind that solar panels and their installation is not cheap. If a vendor has extremely low prices, you are probably getting low quality equipment or even second hand equipment. It is best to invest in quality solar panels and hire a http://www.umass.edu/umfa/scholarship-detail?page=1/ trustworthy contractor to install them.
When considering installing solar panels, always check for local, state or federal incentives and rebates. The initial expense of solar panels can be costly so these incentives can be very helpful. Also consider the future saving and you will see that over time, your solar panels will pay for themselves.
Grid-tied solar energy systems are perhaps the most efficient means of harnessing the power of the sun. This allows you to sell excess energy produced by your system back to your neighborhood energy company. Doing this can help you offset installation costs and it'll pay for itself much quicker.
Before buying panels from a company, research their financial background. Ensure that the business you choose is reputable and doing well. This will ensure your warranty stays http://www.apple.com/environment/ valid as well as give you a resource if you need replacement parts.
Many solar systems require little or no maintenance to operate smoothly throughout the year, but you should have them service occasionally. Dirt, leaves and dust can accumulate and reduce the amount of power that your system can produce. Have a licensed installer come out regularly to preform maintenance on your system.
Before you install a PV system in your home, contact the local utility company for 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.
Do not use any harsh chemicals when cleaning the solar system of your home. You should make sure that it stays clean, but be careful about the products you use. The best thing to do would be to combine warm water and a mild dish soap and use that to clean it.
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.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, solar energy seems like it would make sense for everyone. However, having read this article, you should now understand that there are some cases where solar energy simply isn't worth it. Use the information above when trying to decide whether or not solar energy is a viable option for you.
