Solar Panel Advice
Few people know how to maximize their use of solar power. The good news is that viable information and discussion can quickly shed some light on the topic. Start the learning process by reading our solar panel advice.
Contact your local government to ask them about rules in place where you live. No solar technology should be in use without permission from the powers that be. You may find yourself fined and having to take down all that you worked so hard to put in place if you don’t inquire first.
Do your research before you buy or install anything. It is important that you know what you’re allowed to have in place, what is the best choice for efficiency and what sort of a budget you’re working with. Once you have this solar panel advice in hand, you’ll be able to go forward with your project.
What to Do Before Buying Your Solar Panel
Consider installing more solar panels than your home will ever need. If you do this you will be doing two good things. First, you will earn money on any energy created that your home does not use. Second, you will be reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned to power the homes of your neighbors.
To go partially solar-powered, look at smaller applications that use solar energy. There are two different ways to accomplish this. The first way is to use window mountable solar panels that you can use to charge your electronic devices. The second way is to use solar-powered equipment when you camp. Either way, you will be saving money on your electric bill.
Before you pull the trigger and buy a system, take a look at how long the manufacturer guarantees the product for. You want a fairly long warranty because the system will have to pay for itself over time and help you begin to generate a profit. Therefore, make sure the warranty is for at least 25 years.
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 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.
Benefits of Solar Energy
One of the major benefits of solar energy is that it is renewable. The sun (generally) shines each and every day, and there is no reason to worry that drawing power from the sun will somehow render it unusable in the future. Using solar energy, therefore, is a safe and reliable way to power the Earth.
The advances in solar power increase with each year. Solar panels used to be extremely expensive, however now they are affordable to the average consumer. From small set-ups to those which power commercial locations, there is something available for everyone.
When you look at it over time, solar power is less expensive than buying energy from a local company. Although you do have to put up a bit of money initially, a solar power system starts paying for itself right away. Once you get back your initial investment, you are simply making a profit. This is much different than getting a bill in the mail every month.
Consider complementing your solar panels with other forms of energy production. Aside from night, your solar panels are least productive when it is cloudy, which usually means winds, rain or both. Put in some small wind turbines on your roof and micro-hydro electric generators at ends of gutters for some power production when solar panels are not up and running.
One of the easiest things at your home to convert to solar power is your outdoor lighting. There are many attractive solar lighting options available at your local home center. These fixtures are easy to install and are relatively inexpensive. Spend some time browsing the selections and see which options will be suitable for your outdoor needs.
How to Save Money and Ensure You Get a Good Deal
Don’t assume that just because a company sells and installs solar panels means they are good and trustworthy people. Shop around. Get a minimum of three quotes. Read all contracts. Check backgrounds of potential contractors. Deal with this like any other home-improvement project that you would otherwise do.
Check for government financial incentives when you considering solar energy. While the cost of purchasing and installing panels can be high, there are certain government grant, loan and rebate programs that can help offset this cost. By understanding these programs, you can make a smart financial investment that allows you to take advantage of this green energy source.
To help optimize your savings, consider using a grid tied system. With a grid tied system, you have the ability to sell any excess energy back to your local power company. This helps your system pay itself off faster.
You could get a big discount on an installation if you’re lucky. This kind of power is hugely promoted by the government and when you install solar energy, they may provide you with grants to pay for some or all of it.
Making the change to renewable energy is becoming more and more popular. With concerns about the health of the environment, more and more people are making the switch. Not only are they helping the earth, but saving money at the same time. It really seems like a win-win situation for both individuals and business alike.
Solar energy can give many benefits to a lot of people. However, not everyone realizes many of the benefits it can provide. Because you have now read this article with its solar panel advice, you should be more aware of how to utilize solar energy for your benefit.
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