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Have you ever had a personal dealing with solar energy? Whether you have or not, you need to be aware of certain aspects of this energy source to really take advantage of its benefits. In the following article, you will be given advice that will help you see how rewarding solar energy is.

If you decide to put solar energy panels on your home, remember to keep them clean. Your solar panels must reflect the sun's rays in order to store the sun's energy for use in your home or business. If they are dirty, they can not effectively do this. By keeping them clean, you will get the most bang for your buck!

Be sure the solar energy system you choose can efficiently and reliably store the energy it produces. You have two options here. You can either sell the excess power to the electric company to offset the costs during cloudy days, or you can get a bank of batteries that will allow you to get off the grid completely.

Solar energy systems allow you to cut your ties to the outside world. You can go completely off grid with one of these systems. You will not have to pay monthly fees or wonder who is watching your power use. You can increase your level of privacy while saving the environment and your money.

Fossil fuels that are used around the world do not help our environment. In fact, the cause a great deal of damage to the world we live on. Solar energy will provide us with the power we need without causing any damage to our earth. There will be no more gases, carcinogens or even carbon dioxide produced by solar energy.

Before purchasing solar panels, check the track record of the company that is selling them. Many panels come with lengthy warranty periods of up to twenty five years, but this warranty is only good if the company is still in business. Make sure to ask how long the company has been in operation and check ratings with organizations like the BBB before making your purchase.

Keep shade issues in mind when installing solar panels. A panel that loses a quarter of its light can lose half its power production. The main thing to keep in mind is tree foliage. Are any trees going to grow in between the panels and sunlight? Consider trimming them back a little.

Solar panels get typically placed in an ideal location to receive sunlight, but in time, things might get in the way. This means rechecking the location frequently to ensure nothing is casting a shadow on your panels.

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.

It's not common knowledge that you don't need a power grid when using solar energy. You, yourself, can get it work, making your family more independent than your neighbors. In addition, your monthly power bill will be gone, and you don't have to worry about installing power services whenever you move.

Converting your whole house to solar power can be expensive. Before you commit, look at how much you can afford. The initial investment will be very large, but there will come a time when you will break even, then start realizing your savings. Work out the numbers so that you will know how it will affect your long-term budget.

Don't look at solar panels as a do it yourself project. You are putting serious funds into these panels, and any mistake can be very costly. Find the right help. Do your research online to come up with the best installers out there near you and interview a few before making any decisions.

Look at a company's financial background prior to buying anything from them. You want to do business with someone that is likely to still be around in 20 years. Also, find a company that offers a quality coverage plan.

Do you have a pool? You could save a lot by investing in solar panels. There are small solar energy systems designed to power a water heater or a water pump and since you only use your pool during the visit the following site warmer months, your panels will work perfectly when you need them.

Do not install a solar system in your home without first doing an energy audit. An energy audit will assess your energy needs and will help you utilize savings before installing a solar system. The last thing you want to do is install a solar system to pay for energy you are wasting.

Solar water heating is a great way to use the sun's power to heat up your swimming pool. It can also be used to heat the water for your home. That said, the energy savings is typically only 30% over traditional water heating devices, so keep that in mind as you create a budget.

Solar power could benefit you, even if you live in a region that sees a lot of clouds year-round. Many people are under the misconception that solar energy is only useful in areas that see a lot of sun. The current technology actually can use the energy that penetrates the clouds to power your home.

A garden hose is often sufficient to keep your solar panels clean. Try to do this four times per month; you may not need to climb up on the roof if you do. It will also clean your panels without having to worry about scratches.

Use winter sunshine hours instead http://wledlights.com/ of summer hours whenever you are calculating how many solar panels you will need. This is because winter sunshine hours only add up to about half that of summer. It is better to overestimate how many panels you will need rather than underestimate. If you underestimate, you will end up losing power when you need it.

If you decide to use solar panels on your home, this can reduce your bills and help the environment. Solar panels, a hot water tank, and a heat transfer system are typically needed if you would like to use this heating system for your home. It's a great alternative to an expensive gas bill!

Now you should have a good idea as to how you can move forward with a plan for solar energy in your home or business. As you continue to learn more, keep these tips in mind that you've read. Remember the numerous benefits, and think about how this renewable energy source can help you.