Posts Tagged ‘Lifetime’

Fitting Solar Panels For Homes

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Too often people think that solar panels are unaffordable, complicated and are too large to fit on their houses. However solar panels for homes are easier to fit then you may imagine, and they save you a huge amount of money over time. Although they used to be quite expensive they are now much less pricey and you will see them installed on many buildings in your town.

You can install your home solar units by yourself if you have some fundamental construction knowledge, however if you are at all concerned then getting the help of installation experts to do it is recommended. Many buildings now have them installed, and they are a superb way to enjoy using nature’s resources and saving money. Our sun produces more energy in one hour than anyone could use in a lifetime, so why not tap into that resource. Solar energy units help protect the environment, they cut down on people’s dependence of oil, and they also cause less pollution and less global warming. It is understood that more houses need to have them installed, but it is up to individual preferences.

Although the initial expenses for the solar energy units can be somewhat high, over time you will recover your money in the savings you are making. Your decision about which home solar panel systems to choose from should be based on the size of your roof and your budget. They also do need regular maintenance, and replacing them can be costly so you will need to keep this in mind when ordering them. By installing solar panels on your home, you are saving money which is never bad with the ever increasing electricity bills. Like everything the more solar panels that are bought will mean that the price of them comes down. And maybe once they become cheaper to buy more people will look at this option of providing power for their homes.

Panel size is one of the biggest factors; the larger the panel the more sun rays you will capture. The more sun rays you are able to capture will mean you can squeeze more energy out of the solar units, giving you the means to power more in your home. Solar panels come in many different sizes and you do not need a solar panel that is too big; depending on your requirements you can power a great deal with small solar panels for your home. If you just want to save some money each month then getting a small portable energy unit will work well. If you want to eliminate your electricity bills completely you will need a larger solar panel for your home. Don’t forget that solar panels can be bought in small panels and used together. This makes it more manageable and less expensive for you.

Not everyone can afford solar panels for homes; it varies depending on where you live in the world. Certain weather conditions impact the efficiency of the panels; rain, fog and hazy days will mean the panels will not function to their specifications. Some people don’t particularly like how they look on their house. So, solar panels for homes are not for everyone and this is merely your choice.

Heres How You Can Install Solar Power Into Your Home

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

Considering introducing solar power into your home? If you are, then here is everything you need to know about how much it might cost and how much work it will take.

Start by deciding how much of your house do you actually want to be run on solar power. You could use solar power to heat your water tank. You could go to the furthest extreme and go completely off-grid thus ensuring the whole house is running on solar power. It’s up to you, but you must discover what your home’s monthly average electric usage actually is.

To work out the average energy usage of your home, simply dig out your monthly electricity bills for the last two years. Get the calculator out. Be aware of the year’s peak times, like Christmas when you would normally go through a lot more power than normal. This way, we can set up your home’s solar power system so it definitely can cope with all of your home’s energy demands.

Now, so you can sleep easy at nights, multiply that amount by at least 1.5. If any extra electrical equipment is brought into your house you remain fully covered. So, by the end of this task you will know how much solar power you need. You will also be able to tell how many solar panels you need and what size they must be.

These days, your best bet is to buy solar panels online. Go to Ebay and enter the words “solar panel pallet” exactly as is. Sit back and be prepared to be amazed by the incredible bargains you will find there. If you think they seem expensive, please don’t forget that these prices are a one time cost and solar panels tend to have a lifetime of at least 25 years.

Without exception, always employ a skilled, experienced tradesman to install your solar power. You will find plenty online or in your telephone directory. Don’t stop until you have three quotations for the job, but don’t necessarily make your decision based only on the price. Cost is important, but you can gain extra reassurance of a job well done from an established tradesman when installing solar power for homes.

You will also have to shop around for a good quality inverter. Solar panels give out direct (DC) current when harnessing the sun’s energy. The inverter will convert this DC current into alternating (AC) current from which we can all enjoy running all our electrical toys and gizmos.

Costing about $2,000 plus maybe $500 for installation, inverters tend to last about 10 years. replacement solar panels.

For those who want to go completely off-grid, it is essential that you use good quality batteries to store the excess solar power you pull down on sunny days. This reserve of energy can then be used to run your electrical equipment at night-time. The deep-cycle batteries you will need tend to cost $50 to $100. I suggest you buy 10 of them. Expect to have to get new ones every 3-5 years.

Be sure to enquire if you can get any support from local government for the price of installing solar power for homes. Most local authorities offer tax credits. Ask your local electricity company as well. They might have some good incentives or special deals. Do this right and you could cut the total price by half or more.

Although you absolutely have to get a qualified electrician, it’s reassuring to know that installing solar power for homes doesn’t have to involve a lot of electrical work. Generally. However, this is not often an extensive job. I repeat though, be sure to use a qualified, experienced electrician.

Solar power is a long-term investment. When estimating the value of installing solar power, the question is, “What is the payback time?” After you have paid everything off, you have can kick back and relax knowing that you now have a house that will be enjoying free electricity for many years to come!