What Are Solar Panels
The cost of solar panels has slowly been on the rise over the years, but this is largely due to economies of scale and falling prices for materials. In 2019, the cost of a solar panel was $5.06 per watt, an increase of $0.26 from 2018. More and more people are making the jump over to solar energy. It has been found that solar energy easily reduces costs in both commercial and residential property electric bills. Plus with the minimal maintenance, many around the world are looking to go green. Keep reading to discover how solar energy can benefit you.
Contact your local government to ask them about rules in place where you live. No solar technology should be in use without permission from the powers that be. You may find yourself fined and having to take down all that you worked so hard to put in place if you don’t inquire first.
Keep the trees around your solar energy panels trimmed. Shade from trees can limit the sun’s rays that are hitting your panels, thereby causing your panels to work less effectively. In order to avoid this problem, make sure to trim back leaves and branches regularly. This is easy to do, and it is cost effective too.
You should have a backup plan should your solar panels stop functioning. Generators are okay, but being on the grid is even better. If you choose to go the generator route, consistently test it. You may also want to have multiple generators.
Get quotes from several contractors before signing any solar energy installation company. Just as with any other construction product, it pays to shop around before you commit to a particular company. Check out their reviews online and their standing with the Better Business Bureau. A little research ahead of time can save you a big headache later.
Think about the reason why you want solar energy before you take the plunge. There are a couple factors to think about. If you do not have access to the main power grid, solar panels are an excellent option. It is also a good choice if you are environmentally conscious.
Try to stay away from high pressure salespeople when scouting solar energy. It’s important that you take your time in making the best possible decision for you. Buying on the spot from a high pressure person can mean making the wrong choice and wasting your hard earned money.
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.
Cost Of Solar Panels Over The Years
Profiting from solar energy does necessary mean that you have to fit your home with unsightly panels. You can use passive solar energy to help reduce your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Passive solar energy systems include trome walls, earth cooling tubes, air panels and a host of other alternative energy devices.
Be sure mountings on solar energy panels are engineer certified for your area. For instance, if if you’re in an area that gets frequent cyclones, the mountings need to be cyclone rated. High-quality systems will be wind certified to ensure they don’t blow away in a huge wind storm. Mounting is an important part of the system and not all suppliers regard them that way. Stay alert when buying your system to make sure they have proper certifications.
You do not have to purchase an entire solar energy system at once. Sometimes it is more economical to start small. These fans turn on when the temperature reaches a certain point. This will remove your home’s heat and lower cooling costs. It also won’t add to your utility costs.
Solar water heaters have been around for hundreds of years. For over 50 years people have been using them to heat everything inside and outside the home. Over the years, these solar water heating systems have become much more efficient. If you are located in sunny areas of the country, you should look into buying a solar water system.
When you’re planning on installing a solar energy system, you should shop around and get a few quotes. You’ll be able to see how much prices vary between providers. While you shouldn’t be completely swayed by price, it’s crucial that you don’t just go for the cheapest since cheaper components can cost you a lot more later.
There are many companies who claim to be specialists in solar conversion. However, it is up to you to confirm that they have the proper qualifications and credentials. Check with the Better Business Bureau for their current business standing. Do an online search for any reviews. If you turn up any negative information, look for another service.
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!
If you reside in an area where temperatures drop to freezing, you have to take special care of your solar energy system. Every time the weather gets very cold, you need to turn the system off and drain it. This will help you keep your system working for a much longer time.
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.
Find a vendor who offers a lengthy warranty for your solar panels. A lengthy warranty is a sign that the vendor has faith in the products and it will help you save a lot of money in case your panels malfunction. Do some background research on the vendor you chose to make sure they are likely to still be around over the next decades.
If you were open minded when reading this article, you have hopefully become more familiar with solar energy. This is a great way to reduce costs and help our planet. Use the knowledge you’ve acquired to save the planet and money.