Are You Read To Switch To Solar Energy?

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Investing in a solar energy system is an important financial decision. You should learn more about these technologies before deciding whether or not you want to invest in solar panels. Start by going over this article for some helpful tips.

You should know that purchasing a solar energy system large enough to power your home is an important investment. If you decide to pay off this system through small monthly payments, you could spend the next decade making payments on your solar panels. This is a good option if you are ready to settle down and already have a home paid off. If you are still in the process of paying off your mortgage or are not sure you want to stay in the same area, explore other options.

Assess how much energy you need for your home. Invest in an energy monitor or go over your bills to figure out your monthly energy consumption. Keep in mind that this amount can vary from one month to the next, for instance if you run an AC unit in the summer. It is best to reduce your energy consumption as much as possible before investing in a solar energy system. You might be able to power your home with a smaller system, which means you will be able to purchase less panels.

Learn more about different solar panel manufacturers. Solar panel manufacturers are ranked in three tiers in function of the performance of their products. You should look up this ranking online and select a brand from the top tier. Other products are not a good investment since you will be able to produce a small quantity of energy with each panel, which means you will need a much larger and expensive system to power your home.

Do some research on different technologies before you decide which system you want to invest in. Photovoltaic panels are usually a good option for homeowners because of their affordable price. Mono-crystalline panels are more efficient than polycrystalline ones but they are also more expensive. If you can afford to, get some newer thin film panels. These panels are much more efficient than photovoltaic ones and easier to install because of their light weight. Regardless of the technology you choose, make sure you get a recent product.

Your solar energy system will be more efficient if you invest in an adjustable mount. Your solar panels need at least five hours a day of exposure to sun rays to produce enough energy for your household. You can increase this exposure by adjusting your panels in function of the position of the sun. Invest in a quality sun tracker and in an automatic adjustable mount so you do not have to change the orientation of your panels manually.

You should have a better idea of whether or not solar energy is a good option for you after going over this article. Do more research on solar energy systems if you are interested in purchasing solar panels.

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