How do you use the sun? Do you let it wake you in the morning? Or do you enjoy lying out in it on a summer’s day? Do you use it to power your home or business? If not, today is the day to get started, so keep reading to find out more.
There are two types of photo-voltaic panels. If you want efficiency, mono-crystalline panels are optimal, while poly-crystalline panels are the cheaper alternative. It makes the most sense to buy the highest-efficiency product possible if you intend to power your house with solar energy.
Panels that are easily rotated have the best efficiency. If your panels are immobile, you’ll need to choose a position that is somewhere in the middle of what is ideal for summer and what is ideal for winter.
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.
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.
When using solar power, you do not have to worry about harming the environment in any way. Fossil fuels send harmful greenhouse gases off into the atmosphere, and they contribute to global warming and climate change. However, solar cells have no impact on the environment and are safe to use.
Don’t cheap out on the installation! Yes, you’ve spent a lot of hard earned cash on these solar panels, but that’s the point entirely. You’ve made a huge investment, and you’ll want these panels to be secured perfectly. If you opt for someone with less experience or a spotty track record to save a bit of cash, then you’ll likely have lots of issues in the future.
If you’re not ready to fully change to solar energy, check out attic fans that are solar powered. These fans have temperature sensors that turn the fan on immediately when the attic reaches a certain temperature. This will keep heat out of your house so your cooling costs will be lower. A good solar powered attic fan will help cool your house and not cost anything to run.
If you have a pool, don’t even think of heating it any other way than solar! This is easily the most efficient use of solar power there is and it will save you a bundle. Solar heating systems cost about the same or less than conventional systems and basically operate themselves so stop wasting your money doing it the old-fashioned way!
If purchasing is too costly for you, leasing may be a very good option. This allows you to save a great deal of money because it does not require a large up-front investment.
Consider installing a solar hot water heater. Water heaters can account for up to 35 percent of a home’s energy usage. With up front costs considerably lower than full power systems, a solar water heater will start saving you money much sooner.
Do not fret if you live in an area where it is frequently overcast. Solar power does not necessarily require full sun all the time. The sun’s radiation penetrates through the clouds and can energize the solar panels effectively. Before you give the idea, do your research and discuss your options with reputable solar energy companies.
Let your clothes dry out on a line. This a very efficient and energy saving method. Rather than wasting energy with your dryer and washer, try and wash and dry your clothes in the yard. You’ll save money this way and your clothes will get dry.
If you choose to buy solar panels, make sure you compare prices of the panels themselves, as well as the cost of installation. Be sure you understand what is included in each estimate. You don’t want to automatically choose the cheapest contractor, but you also don’t want to pay more than you need to.
Using sun trackers is a great way to get the most solar energy production possible. This systems follows the path of the sun to get the most sunlight. Although a sun tracker system is more expensive, the increased energy output offsets the cost of the system.
When choosing, consider how much energy you need, how much sun your home receives and the type, size and style of solar panels you want. You need to invest in a solar energy system that is adapted to your needs and location.
Before you install a PV system in your home, contact the local utility company for an energy audit. An energy audit assesses the amount of energy you are using before you supplement it with solar power. This will help you find areas where you can save electricity or areas that need to be fixed before the system is installed.
Check your panels every few months to verify that they are getting as much sun as possible. As trees grow and new homes are built, your panels may not get the sun that they need to work their very best. Try to do this check every three months or so, or even more often if you think to do so.
If you have a pool, you may want to consider investing in a solar water heating system. This form of solar energy is among the most cost effective. In most cases, you will offset the cost of installation within the first few years. Shop around in your area to find the best deals.
How that you know how to use solar power in your own life, you need to get started. Take these tips and start putting them into action. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be saving money on energy bills while helping to keep the Earth a place where everyone can live.