If you are considering a plan for solar energy for your home or business, then you need to be well-informed. Continue reading to find out how you can save money and positively impact the environment. Solar energy is a newbie subject for many, so this article should prove rather informative.
When it comes to solar energy, the sky is truly the limit, so learn about your options before you buy. How much space are you allowed, by local law, to fill with solar equipment? Can you sell excess energy back to the grid? What sort of regulations are in place?
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.
As you comparison shop for solar power systems, remember that not all brands were created equal. You want to go with a product that has a reputable manufacturer. It is wonderful if another brand offers a substantial warranty or a great discount, but those things won’t help you very much if the company goes out of business in a few years.
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.
Seek out grants and rebates to help you afford solar panel installation. It can be expensive to install a good system, so take help if you can find it. Do your research and you may find great programs that offer rebates, grants or other incentives to help you get the solar power equipment to get you started. You might be surprised at how much you can save. There are many different incentives for changing over to green energy.
Be realistic about the costs of having a solar energy system. If you’re paying much less than other systems that are around the same size as yours, you may have poor equipment or installation work. Like with many things in life you get what you pay for. Quality installation work and equipment isn’t going to be cheap. You may have substantial savings by going with a large company, but other companies may be cutting corners to keep costs down.
Regardless of the type of solar energy system you choose, you must be sure your panels have ample sun exposure. The sun is what gives you the energy and it is important that the panels have direct access and are located in the spot that will allow them to get as much solar energy as possible.
You should avoid putting your weight on the panels as much as possible. This could damage the expensive panel and prevent it from working. If you must step on them, make sure that you avoid walking at the ends of the panels since this is the part that is more likely to break.
Carefully calculate the dollar/watts ratio of any solar panel before making the final purchase. Technology is moving fast and you should judge your decision based on the standards of the current market. The panels that produce more wattage are the panels that typically cost more, but a high-wattage yesterday may not be as significant today.
What do you think about using solar energy in your home or business now? If you know what to do and what to consider, then it becomes a much more viable option. The many benefits of solar energy await you as you use all of what you’ve learned to formulate your plan.
