It is time you looked further into the opportunity of using solar energy as a renewable energy source for your home or business. There are probably many things you don’t know about the subject, so it’s important that you keep reading to find out more. Surely you are going to like what you read.
If you run a business you know that there are a lot of costs associated with that, one of them being your energy bill. If you have been looking at ways to save the company some money, you should switch over to renewable solar energy. This will not only save you money, but let people know that you are environmentally conscious.
If you really want to see how your solar panels are working, keep a diary of the day to day energy output. Make a note if you are recording data on a particularly dark or shady day. Having this information can help you to understand how your panels work, and this can help you to optimize their performance.
If you find that you cannot afford solar panels at the moment, you should stay up to date with new products and technologies. Scientists are regularly coming up with new technologies and materials that can be used to build more efficient and affordable panels, which means solar energy should become a more efficient solution in the future.
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.
Before installing solar panels on your roof, check with your home owners association. Some associations have restrictions on what you are allowed to do to the outside of the property, and this might mean solar panels are not an option for you. It is better to have this information up front than to purchase the panels and be forced to remove them at a later time.
Before signing any agreement for installation of solar energy products, get at least three estimates. Once the estimates are in your hand, read each one carefully to ensure that the installation is up to your standards. Each estimate should include a time frame of completion, a list of materials and the estimated amount of labor charged.
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.
Consider complementing your solar panels with other forms of energy production. Aside from night, your solar panels are least productive when it is cloudy, which usually means winds, rain or both. Put in some small wind turbines on your roof and micro-hydroelectric generators at ends of gutters for some power production when solar panels are not up and running.
Many companies are now allowing consumers to lease solar energy products. This is perfect if you are unsure if you are a good candidate for solar energy or if you do not have the financial means to purchase a solar energy system. Ask your local electric company for suggestions of companies who lease solar energy products.
Always check the regulations in your particular area before installing solar energy systems. Some places make you have a certain permit. If you do not have a permit and install a unit, it is subject to removal.
Analyze the weather in your area to determine if solar panels are right for you. You need at least five hours of sunlight every day to get the most use out of them. You should consider other forms of clean energy if the weather in your area often includes rain, snow or clouds.
Avoid salespeople who are pushy when trying to sell you a solar power system. Salesmen who are too focused on the sale and not your needs should be avoided. It should be feasible for you to let them now you will make a decision later rather than right there and then. If they can offer you a good deal now, they can offer it to you again at a future date. Hasty decisions are often expensive down the road.
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 are considering installing a solar panel system, it is important that the panel faces in the sun’s direction. Although this seems obvious, you would be surprised how many people forget this step. If your panel does not have sun, it won’t power up. If you live in the Northern hemisphere, your panel should face South towards the horizon.
Maximize the output of your solar panels by adjusting them seasonally. Adjusting your panels twice a year, once in the summer and once in the winter, will ensure that your panels are producing the maximum amount of energy by taking into account the earth’s changing position relative to the sun.
Look for the most effective ways to use solar energy in your home. A lot of solar systems only provide part of the energy that is needed to operate a heating system. That said, they could power your water heater. These are the differences you need to understand.
Are you thinking about how you can use everything you’ve read to save yourself some money? Who wouldn’t be thinking that? It is time you put these tips to good use so that you can fully benefit from everything that solar energy has to offer you as an energy source.