Installing solar energy at your home or your business is a great way to save money. By producing your own power, you will no longer have to be reliant on the big energy companies. Solar power is also a green, sustainable energy source that helps the environment. To learn more about using solar, keep reading.
To go partially solar-powered, look at smaller applications that use solar energy. This can be done in two ways. You can find small-scale panels to prop on your window to recharge electronics. The second way is to use solar-powered equipment when you camp. Every small thing that you do saves you a little money and helps the environment.
If you are thinking about leasing solar panels, be sure that your contract allows you to transfer the lease. If you do not choose this option, you might have to keep paying for a solar energy system you are not using. When you are able to transfer the lease, you can pass it on to the new homeowner.
Using a water heater that runs on solar power is one method in being good to the environment. There are several varieties of water heating systems including solar powered tankless styles and solar heated water tanks. You can put these in a good location positioned on your roof.
Many companies are now allowing consumers to lease solar energy products. This is perfect if you are unsure if you are a good candidate for solar energy or if you do not have the financial means to purchase a solar energy system. Ask your local electric company for suggestions of companies who lease solar energy products.
Get quotes from several contractors before signing any solar energy installation company. Just as with any other construction product, it pays to shop around before you commit to a particular company. Check out their reviews online and their standing with the Better Business Bureau. A little research ahead of time can save you a big headache later.
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.
Get the records from your energy company on how much energy you have used in the last five years. You can then use this information to figure out exactly how much power you will need solar energy to provide for you home. Having the past five years is important so that you can see that some years you will need more energy than others.
Look into solar powered appliances. There are a number of products that are available that are powered by solar energy. One of the most popular is the solar powered water heaters. Just having one appliance run by solar energy can save you hundreds of dollars each year in energy costs.
You should attend renewable energy fairs or visit renewable energy demonstration centers located in your area. You will get a chance to meet with experts and learn more about solar energy and the different types of panels you can invest in. You will make a better decision if you are properly educated.
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.
Get your set-up checked twice yearly. This evaluation entails verifying that all connections are fully functional, your panels are correctly angled, and that the power inverter still functions.
If you are located in the Northern hemisphere, your solar panels should be facing south. People who live in the Southern hemisphere should install their panels facing north. Putting them in any other way will defeat the entire purpose since the panels will not have a chance to collect a large amount of energy from the sun.
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 http://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships.aspx your system back to your neighborhood energy company. Doing this can help you offset installation costs and it'll pay for itself much quicker.
Do your best to reduce your energy consumption before investing in solar energy. Your solar energy system will be more affordable if you can live with a reasonable quantity of energy. Start by improving your insulation, make an effort to turn off appliances and replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones.
If you are going to invest a lot of money into solar panels, you should make sure that you pay for http://www.discoverygreen.com/ monitoring services. This type of service will make sure that things are working as they should be. You can usually access the information by phone, computer or a wall-mounted device.
Solar panels do not always have to be installed on the roof. There are better choices if you have the space. Systems that track the sun or adjustable panel mounts can provide more energy. Still, it will take a little bit of room.
When installing a solar power system, you need to make your home energy efficient. Put in new installation, replace incandescent light bulbs with florescent ones, etc. If you reduce the amount of solar panels you need, you can reduce the size of your solar system. As a result, you can save a lot of money.
Solar panels are very durable. In fact, their lifespan is generally estimated at a little more than 30 years. They are specifically designed to be placed on a roof, so they are well-made and can handle things like rain and snow. Because they last so long, you should feel confident that you will make a profit off of them eventually.
Using the energy of the sun is a clean way to power the things we use. It's also sustainable as the energy never runs out. One hopes that technology will continue to progress so that everyone can use this energy. For now, you're planning to use it yourself, and that is a step in the right direction.
