Among the most popular forms of alternative energy is solar. Solar power is growing both as residential as well as commercial energy sources. If you are trying to decide whether to make solar energy a part of your home or business, this article is for you. Read on and learn everything you need to know about solar energy.
Your home or business should receive at least five hours of direct sunlight per day to get the most from solar energy. Obviously more sun is better when it comes to solar panels, however if you get less than this solar energy can still be a viable option. If you are in an area where energy bills are sky high, solar might still save you money even if you don’t have the optimal sun exposure.
For the best results, place your solar panels in a location that gets plenty of sunlight. Avoid placing solar panels near trees or tall buildings because they can create shadows on the solar panels which can result in poor energy consumption. Additionally, placing your solar panels in a Southwest location will result in greater energy absorption.
Leasing a solar system is an option if up-front costs are prohibitive. In the long run, buying a solar energy system is always the better option, however leasing can still result in lower bills overall. Leasing a system will let you take advantage of the energy savings right away, however be aware that you can be stuck with your contract for up to 10 years.
Be sure that you choose a company that has a great deal of experience if you plan to have a solar-energy system installed. Installation is the most important factor in whether or not your system will produce the most amount of energy possible, and a bad installation could cost you thousands in repairs.
When solar panels are installed, you should check the inverter frequently. You should see a solid green light. An indicator light that is off or is blinking is cause for an expert. Unless you are an expert, you may be unable to diagnose the cause of the problem. A visit from a technician should be free if you bought panels with a 25-year warranty, which is common.
Look into the warranties of the solar panels you are considering. A quality solar panel should have a warranty for twenty years or more. If you don’t get that with the panels you are considering, then move in a different direction. It may cost a little more, but it’ll be worth it for the peace of mind.
Consider installing more solar panels than your home will ever need. If you do this you will be doing two good things. First, you will earn money on any energy created that your home does not use. Second, you will be reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned to power the homes of your neighbors.
Having read the article above, you should now have a better knowledge base about how solar energy works. Use the information to help you decide whether pursuing solar power is a viable option or not. After all, it isn’t worth investing in solar power if it doesn’t make economic sense.
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