We love the heat of the sun on our face. We struggle to navigate after the sun goes down. We rely on the sun for so many things, including using its power to energize our appliances. Read on to find out how to best use solar energy within your own projects.
Photo-voltaic panels have two main types. Poly-crystalline panels are generally less efficient and costly than mono-crystalline panels. Invest in the best system you can afford.
Solar panel power is generally more efficient the more dense the panels are. Panels that are more dense perform better, but they also cost more. Prior to buying solar panels, look at their density.
If you don’t want to or can’t go for full solar power, at least consider a solar water heating system. Many regional and community governments offer financial incentives, rebates and tax credits for even doing this, just like they do for full solar installations. Check with your local government before doing anything to know the perks.
Find a reputable company. With the rapidly rising popularity of solar energy, new companies are springing up left and right to take advantage. A solar energy installation is a big purchase that should last you many years. When shopping for your system, look for a company that you can be confident will still be around ten or even twenty years from now.
One of the biggest and best advantages of solar energy is that it does not release any harmful substances in the environment. Fossil fuels, which are used for regular energy, give off harmful substances, like carbon dioxide. In the end, these gasses can ruin the environment and harm animals and plants.
Consider changing out your windows when you install a solar energy system. Installing energy efficient windows will help your home be easier to heat and cool, maximizing your energy savings. Since you will now be providing your own power, it is a good idea to save energy wherever you can.
You can take advantage of solar power with solar panels. The layout of your home could help you save on energy by maximizing your exposure to the sun. Consider making some changes to your home such as adding large windows so you can benefit from natural light and warmth from the sun.
If you are building a vacation, rental or retirement home in a rural area, solar power can make a lot of sense. It can spare you the cost of a power line being routed to your home. At the very least it can give you some power in the case of local grid outages, as rural areas have power restored far more slowly than what you might be used to in a city.
If you are building a new home, now is the time to factor in solar energy! Ask a consultant to design windows that warm your home in winter while saving you a bundle on heating. Consider planting trees for shade and leaving space in the yard for solar panels too. Building solar energy into a new home is much easier than adding it onto an old one!
Outdoor lighting fixtures can be completely powered by solar energy. Search for outdoor fixtures that collect energy from the sun during the day and release it after dark. While these fixtures do not require a lot of energy, these systems are very convenient because there are no electrical wires to run or short out.
Using the energy of the sun is a clean way to power the things we use. It’s also sustainable as the energy never runs out. One hopes that technology will continue to progress so that everyone can use this energy. For now, you’re planning to use it yourself, and that is a step in the right direction.