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If you are looking to reduce your energy consumption, solar energy is the way to go. The use of solar power means you can get energy from the sun. Keep reading to find out more information concerning solar energy and its many benefits.
Solar Panels
Photo-voltaic solar panels come in two varieties. Poly-crystalline panels tend to be cheaper but they are not as efficient than mono-crystalline solar panels. It makes the most sense to buy the highest-efficiency product possible if you intend to power your house with solar energy.
Look for installations that have technology that doesn’t rely completely on the schedule of the sun. Many newer solar panels are able to store the sun’s energy when it is up, but let you use it anytime of day. This will help your system to run off the solar energy all night long.
If you do not want to go all out when using solar power, you can use small-scale versions. There are a couple of ways you can achieve this. You could attach solar panels to your windows and use these to recharge smaller electronics. Second, think about finding camping equipment that uses solar power like lanterns or stoves. Every little thing you do, can help reduce costs on your energy bill.
Once you have produced solar energy, you will have to have a reliable storage device for it. You have two options here. You can either sell the excess power to the electric company to offset the costs during cloudy days, or you can get a bank of batteries that will allow you to get off the grid completely.
Even if you live in a colder climate, you can reap the benefits of solar energy. The solar power isn’t produced by temperature, it is produced by the sun’s rays. A cold and sunny place can receive more sun that a hot but shady one.
If you are able to afford the cost and the necessary space, a panel system that tracks the sun is your best bet for power generation. Thanks to this technology, your panels will automatically adjust their angle in relation to the position of the sun. While they are costly at first, the increased efficiency will actually save you money in the end.
As exciting as it would be to have solar powered card to decrease pollution, technology hasn’t come that far yet. Smaller machines that depend on solar energy have become increasingly popular. Generators are perfect for black outs or camping, for example.
New homes are a great place to start with solar power. Solar energy is a great way to power a building because it doesn’t have that much of an effect on the environment. This is the ideal time to conduct more research on solar energy.
Examine your average energy use. You should know the amount of power you need before switching to solar panels. Knowing this will make it easier to choose the right sized solar energy system. You probably should check over your bills to see what your energy costs are and how they vary throughout the year.
Staying connected to the main power grid is an option once you switch to solar power. You have the ability to be independent from the power companies in your area. You will no longer have a bill rolling in each month or need to schedule an appointment to set up power when you switch houses.
Solar Panel
Be sure to check the design date of each type of solar panel you consider purchasing. Often, more contemporary models have better and more efficient features. Older solar panel styles may be a cheaper investment to start with but they will not pay off as well in the long run.
Larger solar panels are not necessarily a good option. There are a lot of variables to consider when buying solar panels. All these factors need to be considered if you are looking to make this investment.
Don’t work with pushy salespeople. They’re common, sadly. Think about the offers instead of agreeing immediately. If they say it is currently a good deal, then it ought to be a good deal in the future. Decisions made under pressure usually cost more in the long run.
You can also start simple with a solar powered water heater so you can see how solar power can help you save money. Water heaters make up a large portion of the energy that a home consumes during the year. The upfront cost are lower with a solar-powered heater, so you can experience a cost savings sooner.
Dry clothing outside. Even though this idea has been used for many years, it’s still efficient. Rather than drying clothes in the dryer, hang them outside on nice days. You’ll save both money and energy and your clothes will fresh and clean.
Never make a decision on solar panels by just price. They have different wattage, size, brand, warranty and quality. Therefore, it is important to research each solar panel and base your decision on quality rather than cost. Look for the best quality of panels that is within your budget.
Switching to solar energy is a great way to bring down your energy costs, while helping the environment at the same time. The money and time you have to invest in order to start and maintain it is worth it.
As this article has shown you, solar energy is great to use if you want to help the environment. This source of energy uses natural resources and is an advantage for everyone. Take what you have learned here, and use it to make smart energy choices.