The sun brings us so much, from heat to light. It is harnessing the sun’s energy which allows us to sustainably power our lives. This article will guide you through how to use solar energy efficiently, allowing you to easily use this power to keep your home or business running smoothly.
If you really want to see how your solar panels are working, keep a diary of the day to day energy output. Make a note if you are recording data on a particularly dark or shady day. Having this information can help you to understand how your panels work, and this can help you to optimize their performance.
Talk to your local government about doing any major solar installations in your home or business. You want to be properly permitted and within building, zoning and construction codes and regulations. However, you may also discover tax credits, rebates and other financial incentives. They may also have data and information about how well certain solar technologies work in your area.
If you are buying a solar energy system, make sure your panels can be easily adjusted. As seasons change, so does the angle of the sun. Your panels will need to be adjusted every three months or so. Make sure that you know how to do this or talk to your contractor about seasonal maintenance.
Be certain to install your solar panels so that they are able to gain maximum sun exposure all year long. If you don’t know how to do it, look at the direction the sun is in and how it changes through the seasons.
Many companies are now allowing consumers to lease solar energy products. This is perfect if you are unsure if you are a good candidate for solar energy or if you do not have the financial means to purchase a solar energy system. Ask your local electric company for suggestions of companies who lease solar energy products.
Don’t underestimate the effect that shade can have on a solar panel’s output. One tree branch can produce enough shade to reduce the amount of solar energy produced by almost 80 percent and that’s without leaves. Take the time to properly situate any solar panels you install to maximize their efficiency.
Never install solar panels in a place that can easily be affected by storm debris. Solar panels are extremely sensitive, and because of this, should never be placed near trees or other tall structures that could cause damage to your panels if a strong storm were to hit the area.
Be sure to account for maintenance and upkeep costs when figuring out the costs of a solar energy system. While solar energy has the potential for a lot of savings, it greatly depends on your location. Solar power is not right for every situation, and even has the possibility of costing you more money in the long run.
The simple tips in this article will go along way to helping you use solar power. This will allow you to run your appliances without harming the Earth. Someday every building may be powered by the sun. Today we must start this trend by installing this technology ourselves and making use of it.