Solar energy continues to grow in popularity because it is easier and cheaper than ever to get. There are many choices for solar power to suit the needs of homes and businesses everywhere. It is a good choice because it saves money, helps the environment and uses the sun as an endless source of power.
If you are thinking about using solar power in your home, you must consider how much direct sunlight your home is actually exposed to. In order for solar energy to be worth it, your roof should have full sun exposure a minimum of 6 hours every day. You should also be wary of any areas of your roof covered by shade.
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels to generate your own electricity, make sure that the roof you’ll be installing them on gets plenty of good sunlight. Good sunlight occurs between 9am and 3pm. You’ll generate the most electricity if your roof receives full, exposed sunlight between those hours every day.
There are two types of photo-voltaic panels. Mono-crystalline panels are the more efficient and more expensive choice. Poly-crystalline panels cost less and produce less. If you want to power your whole home with solar energy, you are best off purchasing the most technologically advanced system you can afford.
Don’t underestimate the importance of doing business with a reputable solar panel supplier. Although it may be tempting to purchase inexpensive panels from an overseas supplier, in the long run that may not be beneficial. Try to find businesses that will still be in operation in twenty years so that spare panels for your system will be readily available.
Get the records from your energy company on how much energy you have used in the last five years. You can then use this information to figure out exactly how much power you will need solar energy to provide for you home. Having the past five years is important so that you can see that some years you will need more energy than others.
Try to choose solar panels that can have their angles adjusted easily. The angle at which the sun hits the Earth changes throughout the year. This means that the best angle to catch the suns rays can be very different between summer and winter. Ideally you want to at least be able to adjust the angle of your panels twice a year, however if you can find some that allow adjustments four times a year (spring, summer, fall, winter) that is even better.
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.
Try getting recommendations for solar energy home equipment. If you have loved ones or colleagues that have solar energy at home, ask them to provide details of their experience or any issues they’ve been through with their system. It’s important to consider other opinions on what you should or should not do.
If you often travel with your electronic, you should consider investing in solar-powered chargers. These chargers include a small solar panels that can generate enough power to charge your cell phone or another electronic device such as a laptop. There are even cases including a small solar charger designed for tablets.
As you can see, there are many reasons for choosing solar power. The popularity of solar power is due to the rising cost of fossil fuels, the growing trend for going green. Switching to solar power can be very easily accomplished and it is a investment that will continue to pay of for years to come.
