No matter where you live, solar power can really reduce your energy costs. The cost of energy increases on a regular basis, doubling every decade. Moving towards solar energy usage is a wise choice for anyone with a home or business. Start by reading this article for some useful tips on solar energy.
Rystalline Panels
You should know there are two main type of photo-voltaic panels. Mono-crystalline panels are pricier than poly-crystalline panels, but they’re more efficient. It is often best to invest in the most efficient product you can afford if you need a solar energy system that can power your home.
Start small when you want to start using solar energy. Buying some solar energy lights to use in landscape lighting can save power and help the planet. Many different stores carry these, such as Walmart and Lowe’s. The installation doesn’t get much easier. They simply need to be placed along walkways, in the ground.
Don’t believe that installing solar panels means that you are going to completely tear your roof off. At the very least, you can replace your outdoor light fixtures with solar light sources. This type of lighting charges all day in the sun so that it can run through the night.
Solar Power
If you would rather transition to solar power slowly, look for small-scale solar power installations. There are two ways you can take care of this. The first is to look for window-mounted panels that can be used to charge your portable electronic devices. Second, look at solar powered camping equipment, such as stoves or lanterns. Each solar option you choose is one you will not have to pay for on your electric statement.
While it may seem that your solar panels are always affixed to your roof permanently, the best ones permit repositioning of the angles. If you have to have panels that are at a fixed angle, try to find the angle that will work best for both summer and winter.
Be aware that you can still get solar power benefits even if you live in a chilly, overcast area. Solar power benefits do not need full sun at a particular temperature. In fact, people often report that they produce more energy on overcast days.
Try to find grants and rebates that can reduce the installation cost of your solar panels. This can help reduce the financial blow from your purchase. Look into grants and rebates available from your state and federal government that reward those who use renewable energy. Such incentives can reduce your initial costs greatly. If you qualify for a tax rebate, you will receive a tax return to cover a part of your expenses.
Your solar panels should be able to get a maximum amount of light form the sun. Invest in a sun tracker and an adjustable mount so you can change the angle of your panels throughout the day or change their orientation for each new season.
Learn how you use energy. Prior to going over to solar power, you should have a solid idea of your power needs. This information is crucial when choosing the size of your energy system. Check back on your utility bills to see when you use the most energy.
If you own a home, the best thing to do is to get a comprehensive solar energy system. However, if you have yet to pay off your home in full, there is a possibility that the added costs of paying for the system could put your financial status in the red. Losing your home could mean losing your investment.
You may wish to install your panels a few at a time to avoid a huge initial investment. Have an expert do an audit of what your energy usage is. Doing this will show you areas of your home that are wasting energy; therefore, you can change some things. In doing so, you reduce the number of panels required to complete your project.
Solar energy helps the environment and improves our lives. This article has hopefully helped you understand all the benefits of using solar energy. This article is a great place to start with learning about solar power but there is so much more to learn about how solar power can help you.