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02 November 2012

Solar Power Is Beneficial To Everyone!

By Bobby Weinberg


A solar energy system could help you save a lot of money on your energy bills on the long term. Read this article to learn more about solar energy and find out if it is a good solution for you.

Not only can you decrease your monthly bills, but you may actually be getting a check in the mail. Many utility companies will pay you for any excess energy that you deliver to the energy grid. So while you are away on vacation or at work, your solar panels continue to provide the grid with clean energy, and if you use less than you produce, you get a check in the mail. You can find out whether your utility provider will pay you and how much you can get paid by visiting their web site.

Although you will always get some energy as long as the sun is shining, you will want to maximize your efficiency. This means that your panels need to be in direct sunlight. They need to capture sun from dawn to dusk, so you might have an odd-looking setup based on the construction of your home.

Educate your family on the benefits to the environment of using solar energy. Let them know that even though solar energy products are a little more expensive, they can save them a lot of money in the long run. You also want to let your family know that they are helping the environment by not consuming as much energy as they would have ordinarily, so they are helping the environment. When they hear this they should start making better decisions in conserving energy.

Deciding how many panels you want to install is your next job. You can use some generic figures for panel output to determine how much juice you can get out of your roof. You might want to put in enough panels to meet some fraction of your household energy needs, or you might shoot for the maximum possible output. (Depending on your locale, you might be able to make money selling surplus power to your electric company.) One great thing about solar panels is that they are, well, panels: Your solar installation is inherently modular. You can go back and add more at a later time with relative ease.

Invest in a hot water solar system. These systems are affordable because they can function with only two photovoltaic panels. The energy harvested by these panels is used to heat water for your household. You should keep track of how much hot water you use to make sure you purchase a hot water solar system that corresponds to your needs. Have a professional inspect your property to determine which spot is best for the installation of your solar panels. Select a good storage solution for the energy produced by the panels or connect this system to the main power grid so you can sell the energy your panels produce and draw some power from the main grid when you need to heat some water. It is probably best to stay connected to the main power grid in case you encounter technical difficulties with your solar panels.

Solar energy might sound like a no-brainer when choosing the best energy solution for you and your home, but there are some downfalls which you should be aware of, such as the upfront costs. Solar panels themselves can be very expensive, along with the other equipment that you need to deliver the power to your home. Although the long-term savings of installing solar energy to your home is substantial, the upfront costs can really add up. Be sure that you fully understand the costs to ensure that it is the right time for you to make the switch financially.

In the end, a higher quality product with professional installation will have fewer issues, but that does not mean you can skip regular maintenance. Regardless of the purchase price of your system, break downs will be costly. Taking the time to care for your equipment will maximize the energy it produces over its useful life, thereby maximizing the return on your investment.




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