Home Solar Panel
Solar panels generate electricity via a process called photovoltaic effect, where energy from the sun is converted into direct current electricity. Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells which are arrange in an array and wired together. These cells absorb the sunlight and convert it into DC electricity. Which can then be store in batteries or converte to AC electricity by an inverter for use in the home.
These days, it is not at all uncommon to see solar panels installed on the roofs of homes. In many cases, not only is it good for the environment, but it can help reduce the amount you spend on power as well. The article below will teach you everything you need to know about residential solar energy.
Switching to solar energy can save a ton on your electric bill. Solar power is absorbed through panels that are properly positioned on your roof. It is especially convenient if you live in an area that gets a long of sun. This will provide usable energy to your home in a much cheaper fashion than conventional electricity.
Are your energy bills getting a little out of control these days? If you are tired of paying costly energy bills then it is time to switch to solar energy. It might cost a little more upfront, but will ultimately end up saving you a ton of money in the long run.
If your roof cannot to support the weight of photo-voltaic solar panels, you can save a lot of money by investing in thin film solar panels. These panels are very light and flexible, which makes the installation much easier and affordable. Their higher price is also justified by their efficiency.
If you own a pool, consider using a solar water heating system to keep it warm in the cooler months. Solar heating is much less expensive than electric or even gas heating, and it is relatively easy to install. In the first year alone, you can save about thirty percent over the cost of heating your swimming pool with electricity.
Think over your budget carefully before you start thinking about buying solar panels. When you take the output and overhead costs into consideration, as well as your local, solar panels might be expensive. When you buy first and do the math later, you may not like the outcome.
If you often travel with your electronic, you should consider investing in solar-powered chargers. These chargers include a small solar panels that can generate enough power to charge your cell phone or another electronic device such as a laptop. There are even cases including a small solar charger designed for tablets.
How Do Solar Panels Generate Electricity
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.
In a perfect world, the sun could be used to power everything from planes to pickup trucks. Unfortunately, we’re not quite there yet. Other smaller solar-powered machines are becoming increasingly popular. Solar powered generators are now available, and this would be the perfect solution to a long term power outage.
Government Subsidised Solar Panels
When you look at it over time, solar power is less expensive than buying energy from a local company. Although you do have to put up a bit of money initially, a solar power system starts paying for itself right away. Once you get back your initial investment, you are simply making a profit. This is much different than getting a bill in the mail every month.
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.
Bigger isn’t always better when considering solar panels. Other factors like wattage and materials make a difference. These are all things that must be taken into consideration when choosing your solar equipment.
Once your panels are in place, keep an eye on them and monitor them regularly. Get to know what you daily output of energy is, what everything looks like when operating optimally and even keep a record of such things. This can help you quickly notice when something isn’t working correctly and help you ascertain where the problem is.
Before hiring a solar energy installer, be sure to perform a background check. You’re going to want to enter into a business relationship with a company who is going to be around later. This will ensure your warranty stays valid as well as give you a resource if you need replacement parts.
Decide whether you want to be on or off the power grid. Many people look forward to getting “off the grid” when they switch to solar power, however this may not be the best choice. Staying on your power grid means that when you have poor sunlight conditions you have the ability to purchase additional power when you need it. As a bonus, when you produce more power than you use, you can sell the excess back to the utilities.
Solar panels produce DC electricity but your appliances need AC energy. You will have to invest in a quality power inverter to turn DC electricity into AC power. Select your power inverter carefully and do not hesitate to invest in an expensive one since the efficiency of your inverter could directly impact the amount of power you can generate with your panels.
If the roof gets about five hours of sunlight without shade every day and if your energy rates are high, you should look into solar energy. You will have to invest some money, but you should get it back over time.
With any luck, you now have a better understanding of how residential solar energy works. You can use the information you have just read to help you make the choice as to whether or not solar energy is worth it for you. At the end of the day, if it makes financial sense, you should definitely consider investing in solar energy.