There are a lot of people in the world that are intimidated when they think about solar energy. It is a fairly new concept for many, and it is sometimes quite difficult to adapt to new things. Keep reading if you want to clear up any confusion you may have about solar energy.
Position solar panels on the east or west side of your home or business. Since the sun travels from east to west throughout the day, placing solar panels on areas of your roof that face north or south is a waste. You'll get much better energy returns by following the same path as the sun.
One of the greatest benefits of solar energy is the fact that it will never run out. Short of the sun burning out, it will always be there to provide us power. Using solar energy is unlike any other energy source because it is a consistent power source and will be there until the end of days.
If you are comparing prices on a solar energy unit, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Some companies might offer bargain priced systems, but these systems might not hold up, be backed by a credible warranty or function in a way that really saves you money. Keep in mind that sometimes it is better to spend a little more now so that you save a lot more in the long run.
Be careful when positioning solar panels on your home. These panels need direct sunlight, at least during the main portion of the day. If there are a lot of trees that shade the panel, you'll reduce your overall output by a lot. Plan ahead and look at all of your placement options.
Most people do not know that having a solar energy system does not require a power grid. You can be off it, operating independently. You will no longer have a bill rolling in each month or need to schedule an appointment to set up power when you switch houses.
When you look at it over time, solar power is less expensive than buying energy http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/renewable-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.
Do a careful estimation of your energy usage needs and how many panels you will need with someone who knows all of the points to consider. Installing solar panels may not be a financially sound investment for you. Going into solar without researching it can leave you in for a poor surprise when you see the numbers.
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.
Solar panels do not always have to be installed on the roof. You can place solar panels in your yard if you don't want them on your roof. Mounts which move allow you to position the panels efficiently. However, it will take up your yard space.
Minimize the upfront costs of solar panels by considering a lease instead of a purchase. This spreads the payments over a long-term period into monthly installments, so you could actually start saving money immediately. Still, consider how long you will be in that building, as the long-term periods usually run a decade.
If you lease solar panels to save the upfront costs, check the contract for the possibility of transferring the lease. If you sell your home or building that panels are installed in within the lease period, you want to be able to legally transfer the lease to the new owners of the property.
The angle of solar panels should change with the seasons; therefore, this means that the angle should http://www.myledlightingguide.flavors.me change four times each year. As the seasons change, the amount of sunlight hitting your home, as well as the direction of that sunlight, will change as well. Angling your unit to face the sun will help you pull in more energy.
Using solar energy will save you a lot of money. The return on investment is extraordinary, as you can recover the cost of purchase fairly quick. An added bonus is that you are able to sell back any unused electricity to your utility company.
Some vendors claim that they have panels able of generating power in the shade. It is true that certain technologies such as thin film panels are more efficient than other products when the sky is overcast, but keep in mind that producing solar energy in the full shade is absolutely impossible.
Avoid high pressure salespeople. All salespeople want to make a sale, however if you find yourself being pressured, walk away. High pressure sales tactics are usually used by those who have an inferior product. If it is right for you a solar energy system should sell itself. You should never feel pressured to purchase a particular system if you are not 100 percent certain.
Do the math prior to investing in solar power. Not every location is a good bet to deliver energy savings. The best option is to look into the costs and the potential earnings (based off your sun conditions) to see what the costs will really be like. Sometimes, it'll be way more costly to use solar.
Solar energy is truly our friend, powering up electronics and keeping the Earth habitable by allowing us to use it sustainably. We all want to be green, and this is a great way to do it. Now that you know how to get started, all you have to do is get moving!