Sunday, September 25, 2011

Considerations About Solar Panels for Your Home

Solar panels can help you cut your energy costs, increase the value of your property and benefit the environment at the same time – and there’s never been a better time to go green with solar energy. The UK government has committed to generating at least 20 percent of energy consumed from renewable sources, including solar energy, by 2020. In order to make this happen, the government has instituted feed-in tariffs and subsidies that make solar panel installation more cost effective than ever.

Why Solar Panels for Your Home or Business?

While the technology for solar energy is always evolving, the use of solar panels for home and business electricity production is definitely proven technology. The cost to install solar panels on your building has decreased significantly at the same time that government support has increased. When you choose an on-grid solar energy system, any electricity generated in excess of what you use gets fed back into the grid – and the electricity provider will pay you for that electricity at a rate supported by a feed-in tariff. Thanks to the lowered cost, higher efficiency and increased government support, you could very well see a positive return on your investment in just a few years.

Are Solar Panels Right for You?

The most important factor in determining if your home is a good fit for solar panels is your roof. The ideal roof for a solar energy system is a south-facing roof with no obstructions or shade, angled at 15 to 45 degrees. Those aren’t absolutes, however. Sometimes an east-west roof with no obstruction – or even an unobstructed clearing for a ground-mounted system – can deliver enough sun exposure to make a significant difference in your electricity use and production.

The most important thing in determining if your home or business building will work with a solar energy system is the amount of shading or obstruction that prevents light from falling on your roof. Keep in mind, though, that the technology has improved considerably and continues to improve. Today’s solar PV panels produce energy from daylight, even when it’s not direct sunlight.

If you’re unsure whether your building is a good fit for solar panels, there are many local solar panel installers who will be happy to come out to look over your property, evaluate its possibilities and give you a solar quote to help you determine whether installing a solar energy system is right for you.

1 comment:

  1. The fact that plants can use sunlight to sustain themselves can seem nearly magical, but recently humankind has developed its own system to work with solar energy.

    solar energy

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