If you’re interested in solar energy, then hopefully this article will give you some answers to the questions you have.
First of all solar energy is great if you get a lot of sunlight. However, when the sky is overcast, your energy production is going to go down. If you live where there’s a combination of sun and clouds, you may still be in luck.
Some of the solar products you might be able to use are solar heating and water pumps for a pool, solar power water heaters and perhaps even power your outside lights. Any of these would initially cost less than solar panel systems for the whole house, so it’s a good way to start. A few more products available are ones that can easily be carried on a hike or while you’re out camping. You can also get ones that are on rolling bases so that they can be moved easily around your yard to gather the sunlight. Some other popular ones are backup generators and Solar-powered battery chargers. These can help you out when other energy sources are either not effective or just not available.
Once you make the decision to invest in solar panels, you will need to look at a couple more things. The prices will change according to what the “panel” is made of as well as its purpose. The most affordable ones are the Poly-crystalline ones. These will produce less energy than other models.
For more efficient panels, it is recommended that you go with the Mono-crystalline kind. They are more expensive but remain affordable and most homeowners find they are efficient enough for their needs.
If your home is located in one of those places where the sun doesn’t shine 365 days a year, then you may want to invest in the thin film panels. These do tend to be more expensive but can produce energy even if the skies are completely clear.
Another positive note is that the film panels are very light, which is better if you have a roof that couldn’t handle the weight of the other types of panels. The roof surface doesn’t have to be completely flat since the panels are flexible which makes them easier to install.
If your energy company offers it, you may be able to join a meter rollback system. That means the energy your solar system produces goes through the power grid and then you can either use some of it or get money in return. By doing this, you won’t need storage batteries and the energy company should be paying you instead of the other way around. The money you receive for your excess power can be applied to the initial cost of your system. By all means, buy more panels if you have the room and the initial cost. The energy company could very well be sending you a huge check each and every month so think of how much money you’ll have once the panels are all paid off.
As with all investments, do your research first. Although solar panels are a bit pricey, the systems have been coming down in price and new technologies appear all the time.
