Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Although solar energy has been around a while, many different people are still interested in the topic. If you are considering purchasing a system for your home, it is important that you do your research first. The article below is a good place to start.

You don't have to jump into solar power with both feet if you don't want to. Use solar lights outside to conserve energy. Solar powered outdoor lighting is popular and you can find them at most home improvement shops. The installation doesn't get much easier. They simply need to be placed along walkways, in the ground.

For the best results, place your solar panels in a location that gets plenty of sunlight. Avoid placing solar panels near trees or tall buildings because they can create shadows on the solar panels which can result in poor energy consumption. Additionally, placing your solar panels in a Southwest location will result in greater energy absorption.

Know that solar panels do not immediately mean free energy forever. You need to be mindful of the fact that solar installations often carry a large up-front price tag. However, you also need to balance that with how much energy you can save over the long run, government incentives and the possibility of selling your excess power into the grid.

You should find solar panel vendors located in your area and have them inspect your property to determine what kind of panels would be best for you and how many panels will be needed. There are many vendors on the Internet but working with a professional located in another state means they might not be familiar with weather conditions.

Before you pull the trigger and buy a system, take a look at how long the manufacturer guarantees the product for. You want a fairly long warranty because the system will have to pay for itself over time and help you begin to generate a profit. Therefore, make sure the warranty is for at least 25 years.

Get http://cordis.europa.eu/news/rcn/134956_en.html to find your local Internet solar panel community. You can find out good information about peaks and lows in solar energy use in your area. If you get particularly adept at getting on a roof to clean your solar panels, you might can even market yourself and make a few bucks off other solar panel owners afraid of heights.

Do not be discouraged at the cost of starting solar energy. You may find it pricy to get the products you need for setting up a solar energy system. But, you will find a much cheaper electric bill every month, paying off the initial start up cost and then some.

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.

Don't assume that just because a company sells and installs solar panels means they are good and trustworthy people. Shop around. Get a minimum of three quotes. Read all contracts. Check backgrounds of potential contractors. Deal with this like any other home-improvement project that you would otherwise do.




<img src="http://www.energyet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/j0437356.jpg" />

Minimize the upfront costs of solar panels by considering a lease instead of a purchase. This spreads the payments over a long-term period into monthly installments, so you could actually start saving money immediately. Still, consider how long you will be in that building, as the long-term periods usually run a decade.

Carefully calculate the dollar/watts ratio of any solar panel before making http://www.kiwibox.com/manthrone84leor/blog/entry/137373059/should-you-use-green-energy-check-out-the-reasons-why/?pPage=0 . 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.

You don't have to be on the grid if you use solar power. Solar power can enable your family or business to become independent of electric company and ever increasing power bills. This means you can look forward to no more utility bills.

Making the change to renewable energy is becoming more and more popular. With concerns about the health of the environment, more and more people are making the switch. Not only are they helping the earth, but saving money at the same time. It really seems like a win-win situation for both individuals and business alike.

Do not fret if you live in an area where it is frequently overcast. Solar power does not necessarily require full sun all the time. The sun's radiation penetrates through the clouds and can energize the solar panels effectively. Before you give the idea, do your research and discuss your options with reputable solar energy companies.

Almost all solar systems are scalable to the amount of space you have in your home. led lighting vendors is not required in many cases. If you do not have the room to fully power your home using solar, you can use the space you have to power part of your home.

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.

You now know how solar energy can benefit your home or business. Keep in mind the tips you've read as you put them into action a little at a time. Take it slowly, but take advantage of solar energy and how it can save you in the long run.