Ah, sunshine. We have to use the sun’s energy to our advantage. Unlike other forms of energy, sunlight is renewable and undeniably clean. Read on for a selection of tips and tricks aimed at helping you harness the sun’s energy.

It is important to know that about the two main types of photo-voltaic solar panels. The cheapest are poly-crystalline, but mono-crystalline are more efficient. You should purchase the best possible product your budget can allow when it comes to solar power systems.

You don’t have to go overboard when adding solar power set-ups. The first step is to replace outdoor lighting with solar options. These simple solar solutions charge themselves with the light of the sun by day and shine all night long.

If you want to get off the grid, you will need to store power for when the sun is not shining. Invest in a quality battery that can store large quantities of power over long periods of time or consider selling the energy you produce to the main power grid so you can keep drawing power from the grid.

Solar Panels

Track numbers when getting solar panels for the home. Depending on where you are, solar panels may be too costly when you consider the overhead costs mixed with the potential output. If you jump into solar energy without the proper research, you may end up with a costly mistake.

There are many tax credits, rebates and incentives to help you offset the initial costs of solar power. You might get as much as 30% of the installation cost back! A quick online search should turn up information on these programs.

Two of the most popular ways to cut heating costs include installing solar water heaters and solar panels. Photo-voltraic panels work best in areas that get 5 hours of direct sunlight daily. Solar heating can lower the cost of keeping a pool heated.

It is best that you purchase a solar panel system after you have already paid off your home. If you have not paid off your home, solar panels may end up being a financial burden that you are unable to continue.

Pathway lighting is a quick and easy way to harness solar power. These little lights soak up the sun’s rays during the day and shine a path through the darkness at night. They’re simple to install and add a bit of charm to the outdoor area.

Pay close attention to local weather when you initially begin considering a solar installation. Solar panels are a good option if there are five hours of sunlight a day in your area. For example, solar energy may not be your best bet if you live an area where most days are snowy, mostly cloudy or foggy.

Solar energy systems need to be checked every six months for the best results. Your solar technician will examine connections and readjust the angle of your panels for the best performance of your system.

If solar panels are too expensive for you, think about renting them. Renting them is not as expensive and helps you save money immediately.

Before hiring a solar energy installer, be sure to perform a background check. Think of it like you want to be doing business over the long haul with these people. This is important for your warranty, as you want to make sure you are able to get new panels should a problem occur.

Remember that solar powers don’t need to be on the roof. If you have space in your yard or on your land, you have even better options. If possible, choose adjustable mounts and invest in a sun tracker so your panels can always be positioned at the right angle. That said, they take up a ton of space.

Grid Tied

To help optimize your savings, consider using a grid tied system. If your system is grid tied, you can sell unused energy to the power company near you. This will let you save even more money.

Do you have kids? If so, then your energy bills are likely extremely high. With all the electronic devices, it can be hard to conserve energy. Therefore, using solar energy can significantly reduce your power bill for good.

If you’re building a home, put in big windows on the side of the house that faces the south; this will be of help when trying to get sun during wintertime. You should also choose your materials carefully, picking ones that reduce the amount of heat absorbed during the summer months. You may want to seek out a professional to help ensure you are designing a truly energy-efficient home.

Solar Energy

The tips above are great, but they won’t do you any good if you don’t apply them. The benefits you’ll receive from the advice above is sure to result in a great solar energy system at a reasonable price. When switching to solar energy, utilize these tips so that you do everything right.