If you are thinking about using solar energy in your home or business, then you need to keep reading. There is much to consider, and you want to be fully aware of your path as you move forward. You want to know the benefits, and you want to know what to look out for as you devise your plan.
An environmentally friendly way to save money is using a solar water tank to heat your home's water. Solar water heating options are many and varied, and an online search will provide you with a wide array of choices. You can install these in bright location or on your roof.
Although adding a solar system is a big job, it does not take any major renovations. It is possible to simply put up a few outside lights that are solar powered. This type of lighting charges all day in the sun so that it can run through the night.
Consider your home's outside design when thinking about solar energy. Having solar-powered pathway lights installed outside is an easy way to use solar energy at home. If you're building a home, positioning it so that it can take advantage of the sun's http://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/scholarships-grants/outside-scholarships.html/ rays is also beneficial. Well-oriented homes filter in winter sun rays in the south-facing windows and that can reduce heating bills.
You should find solar panel vendors located in your area and have them inspect your property to determine what kind of panels would be best for you and how many panels will be needed. There are many vendors on the Internet but working with a professional located in another state means they might not be familiar with weather conditions.
If you're thinking about investing in a solar power system, stay away from high pressure salesmen. Take all the time you need to ask questions, do some research and compare different options before investing in a solar energy system. You may make a horrible decision and lose out on a lot of money by purchasing from a pushy salesperson.
We rely heavily in the United States on foreign energy sources, especially oil. This is money that is going to another country. By making the switch to solar energy you are helping to reduce the US's dependence on foreign energy, and helping to keep the earths natural resources from becoming ultimately depleted.
Talk to the company that you plan on having install your solar system and see if a sun tracker is a good fit for your system. Sun trackers use very little energy and will maximize the amount of power your system can produce. If you have the space and resources, a sun tracking system can help you maximize your energy production.
Don't work with pushy salespeople. These kinds of salespeople are fairly common in the solar power industry. You have to be able to stand up to them and tell them that you need time to shop around. If they tell you it's a wonderful deal, it should remain that way. Decisions that are pressured may end up costing you a lot of money later on.
You should not consider investing in green energies unless you are ready to spend at least fifteen years in your home. Paying off your solar energy system will take you years and the return on your investment will depend on how long you stay in the same home and keep using the solar energy system.
The benefits of using solar power can extend into your tax bill. Many areas around the United States are pushing heavily for solar-energy use, and due to this, they are willing to give you a discount on your taxes if you install a system in your home or business.
Keep your solar panels clean. If your solar panels are dirty or obstructed in any way, they won't work as well. Keep an eye on your solar panels and clean them if they're not quite looking their best. Hosing them down occasionally will ensure that they are much more efficient.
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.
Find out what kind of warranty comes with any system you are considering. A solar energy system should last you for at least twenty years, so http://www.homedepot.com/c/SPC_LF_LEDLightFixtures be sure the company you are dealing with can support it. If there is no warranty, or an extremely limited one, it may be time to keep looking, no matter how great the savings are.
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 trustworthy contractor to install them.
Solar panels produce DC electricity but your appliances need AC energy. You will have to invest in a quality power inverter to turn DC electricity into AC power. Select your power inverter carefully and do not hesitate to invest in an expensive one since the efficiency of your inverter could directly impact the amount of power you can generate with your panels.
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.
Consider investing in a high-quality inverter to go along with your solar system. This is essential if you are planning on running your typical household appliances off of the stored power. The panels work with 12VDC in most situations, but an inverter takes this low DC voltage and produces a higher, 110-120VAC output.
Having read the article above, you should now have a better knowledge base about how solar energy works. Use the information to help you decide whether pursuing solar power is a viable option or not. After all, it isn't worth investing in solar power if it doesn't make economic sense.
