If you cannot afford to invest in solar panels, you can get smaller solar power systems. Investing in a couple of solar panels could cover a part of your energy needs and help you cut down on your utilities. You can also get a hot water solar system; only a couple of solar panels are necessary to produce the energy necessary to heat water for your household. Assess your energy needs carefully and compare different products before you invest in this kind of system. There are also outside lights powered by solar energy; this is a good way to protect your home against burglars without raising your energy bills. You might also choose to wait a few years; the price of solar energy should drop and new products should become available in the next decade.
Are there any disadvantages? Unless you have a large, south facing roof that is angled at less than 50 degrees, it will probably take more than 10 years for you to recoup the initial cost of installing solar panels. Furthermore, while most solar panels are guaranteed for 25 years, you will probably have to replace the inverter, which is part of the solar pv system, after 10 years and a replacement inverter can cost more than 1000.
Get your property inspected by an expert. Solar panels will work well in a sunny area; you might have to cut down some trees to improve the exposure of your roof or yard. Find the best location possible for your solar panels and assess your energy needs carefully. There are a few things you can do to reduce your energy consumption, such as switching to sustainable light bulbs, using skylight tubes to get natural sunlight and making a conscious effort to turn off the lights and appliances you do not use.
You need to read about and research where to place the panels. This can help you get a better idea as to where to place the panels on your own home after you've figured out how many you need. It's important to have a good idea as to where you want to put them, and of course you can ask professional installers any questions you may have as well.
Since solar panels rely on light from the sun in order to function, you will obviously not be receiving the benefits of energy production in the night hours. There are, however, solutions to this issue, including the use of screens and molten salts. In addition, there are new products on the market which claim to produce energy even in darkness. Research the options available in your location, and determine whether the benefits are worth the cost.
Make sure you check out your grid connection, as this has everything to do with the utilization of your solar energy. You want everything to go smoothly, and for such a big investment and outcome, you want to cross all your T's and dot all of your I's in an effort to make sure that everything is taken care of.
The cost of energy today is not only harmful to your budget, but also to the environment. If you are concerned about reducing your family's carbon footprint and your energy bill, solar energy might be right for you. Consider the factors listed in this article to decide if you are ready to make the switch.
