It probably wouldn’t surprise you to learn that solar energy is among the fastest growing forms of alternative energy out there. You’ve probably seen solar panels installed in many homes in your area. If you are considering turning to solar power for your energy, this article is for you. Read on and learn everything you need to know about residential solar energy.
Solar energy through the use of solar panels can last up to 30 years. It is a long-lived use of energy and requires very little maintenance on your part. Since there are no movable parts, solar-energy panels don’t break or need repair. This can provide years of electricity bill savings.
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.
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.
Know that you can live in a cold and cloudy area and still benefit from solar energy! You don’t need perfectly direct sunlight, or a specific temperature, to use solar energy to fulfill your energy needs. In fact, some say they receive the most energy on cool, clear days.
If you find that you cannot afford solar panels at the moment, you should stay up to date with new products and technologies. Scientists are regularly coming up with new technologies and materials that can be used to build more efficient and affordable panels, which means solar energy should become a more efficient solution in the future.
Before installing solar panels on your roof, check with your home owners association. Some associations have restrictions on what you are allowed to do to the outside of the property, and this might mean solar panels are not an option for you. It is better to have this information up front than to purchase the panels and be forced to remove them at a later time.
With any luck, the article you have just read has given you some valuable information about how solar energy works. Use this information to help you make the decision of whether or not solar energy is right for you. At the end of the day, solar energy can both help save the environment and reduce your energy costs.…