The past few years have brought a tremendous market growth of homeowners going green by installing solar energy systems into their homes. Along with this recent surge comes speculation as to why it took so long to realize the benefits of harnessing the power of the sun as it is the world’s most abundant and renewable resource. Residential solar energy can offer a homeowner a variety of benefits; however, there are many factors which must first be evaluated and considered when setting up a residential solar energy system. With that in mind, SolarPanelLeverage(s) offers precisely that: a service dedicated to evaluating your individual needs and connecting you to the residential solar installer best suited for you.
First let’s review some of the more basic information regarding residential solar energy systems.
Solar panels work in two different ways:
- Solar PV Panels are made up of solar cells that convert light energy into electricity. Although these panels may seem a bit more of an initial investment, they will certainly save you money in the long run.
- Solar Thermal Technology utilizes direct heat from the sun as the energy source. More specifically, the solar panel attracts the heat and heats up a liquid with a low boiling point. Next, this liquid is transferred to water where steam is used in a generator. This brilliant process is fast, easy and incredibly cost effective.
A primary factor to consider when installing a solar energy system is the location of the home. You will need to determine how much sunlight is capable of being absorbed at every possible angle in order to find the best possible positioning. It is best to situate the panels as close to true south as possible. This is because south facing panels receive sunlight for the longest period of time. The tilt of the panel is also an important factor to consider as this tilt largely determines how much of the sun will actually be absorbed. Most panel systems are simply set at the same tilt as the roof. Low tilts allow the solar panel collector to receive the most sun during the summer months while higher tilt allows for optimal solar radiation when the sun is low on the horizon. Furthermore, a residential solar power system utilizing solar water heaters needs a straight and unobstructed view of the sun. If the path of the sun is obstructed for any reason, then you will likely not achieve your desired results. At that point, you may need to consider ways to eliminate these obstacles prior to your installation.
In addition, those who live north of the equator experience longer winters and this should also be factored in when considering solar accessibility. The same holds true for locations that experience frequent stormy weather. In such conditions a higher rated, more durable solar panel system will likely be required. Another tool often used when setting up a residential solar energy system is a sun chart. Using a sun chart allows you to factor in such things that will affect the amount of sunlight absorbed such as surrounding buildings and trees.
While all of this may sound technical, confusing and even overwhelming, keep in mind that this is precisely what SolarPanelLeverage(s) specializes in by helping match you to your ideal installer. We take the guesswork out of the process so you are left only with the satisfaction and savings. Contact us today at SolarPanelLeverage(s) so we can start you on your journey to complete residential solar energy independence.
