We get energy from so many sources today. Some are underground, like oil and natural gas. Others are at ground level, like water. Some are in the air, such as the wind. And then there is one final source, high above - the sun. This article will tell you how to harness solar power.
If you decide to put solar energy panels on your home, remember to keep them clean. Your solar panels must reflect the sun's rays in order to store the sun's energy for use in your home or business. If they are dirty, they can not effectively do this. By keeping them clean, you will get the most bang for your buck!
Before purchasing solar panels, check the track record of the company that is selling them. Many panels come with lengthy warranty periods of up to twenty five years, but this warranty is only good if the company is still in business. Make sure to ask how long the company has been in operation and check ratings with organizations like the BBB before making your purchase.
To help keep your solar energy panels running efficiently, keep a record of your solar panels performance. On this record, note when the days are overcast and how much energy your panels produced. This will help you plan your energy consumption better. For example, if the forecast is cloudy, then you should wait to do household chores that use a lot of energy.
Your solar panels will function correctly if you maintain them. Inspect it at a minimum of once per month, and regularly clean the panels. Don't think twice about hiring a professional to inspect and clean your solar energy system for you, however this can also be done on your own.
Be certain to install your solar panels so that they are able to gain maximum sun exposure all year long. If you are set against hiring a professional to assist you, you can start tracking the sun's movements yourself to calculate the best positioning.
A solar power system will save you money if you prepare for it to be a long term investment. Solar panels are an expensive investment, and it can take you several years before you start actually saving money. This project is best postponed until you are sure you are not going anywhere.
Power sources that are run by fossil fuels are run by machines http://my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/146182513198/regular-series-led-retrofit-kits/ that require motors. Those motors require constant maintenance. With solar energy systems, there are limited parts required so they are extremely low maintenance. You will save money on fuel as well as maintaining the system over the years.
There is really no reason to even consider getting a solar energy system if you live in an area that rarely sees the sun. This does not mean that a less than reputable company will not try to sell you a solar system though. If your roof does not receive at least 6 hours of full sunlight per day, you should not consider solar power.
Outdoor lighting fixtures can be completely powered by solar energy. Search for outdoor fixtures that collect energy from the sun during the day and release it after dark. While these fixtures do not require a lot of energy, these systems are very convenient because there are no electrical wires to run or short out.
Solar panels reduce the amount of energy used to heat your home and water. While the use of solar panels does cut down your energy costs, they are expensive and it may take several years to recoup the cost in reduced energy costs. Check for government incentive programs to help pay for them.
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.
Carefully calculate the dollar/watts ratio of any solar panel before making the final purchase. Technology is moving fast and you should judge your decision based on the standards of the current market. The panels that produce more wattage are the panels that typically cost more, but a high-wattage yesterday may not be as significant today.
Almost all solar systems are scalable to the amount of space you have in your home. A complete system is not required in many cases. If you do not have the room to fully power your home using solar, you can use the space you have to power part of your home.
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.
Maximize the power output of the space you use for solar panels. This means you should invest in quality panels that can produce high amounts of energy without taking up your entire roof. Maximizing the power output of your panels will allow you to easily expand your system if you need to produce more energy.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is odorless, tasteless and deadly as well. This silent killer takes the lives of too many unsuspecting families. Help avoid this tragedy altogether by changing your current system over to safer and renewable solar energy. It will help to save you money, and give you peace of mind at the same time.
Get smaller solar panels to power your indoor appliances. There are some very affordable solar panels that you can bring into your home. Some of the devices you can power with solar power include your alarm clock, your coffee maker and even your iPod. Check out smaller panels to see how you can use solar energy even if you aren't sold on the bigger panels yet.
People often worry about space for solar panels or the panels becoming eye sores. However, most solar heating systems only require two to four meters of roof space and solar electric panels not much more. On top of this, panels can be designed to match your roof and blend in much better.
Solar energy holds a lot of promise for a lot of reasons and most people are interested in its benefits. Hopefully this article has answered your questions about it and convinced you to investigate further. Solar energy won't just save you a lot of money, it can also help save our environment for future generations.
