How to Get the Most From Your Solar Panels

Are you thinking of installing solar panels on your home? If so, you're in luck – solar power is becoming increasingly more affordable and accessible. But before you make the switch, there are a few things you should know about getting the most out of your solar panels. Here's a quick guide to help you make the most of your investment.

Make sure your solar panels are angled towards the sun for maximum energy production.

If your solar panels are sitting on a flat surface, you're missing out on the most efficient sun rays. The best way to get the most from your solar panels is to get them up and angled towards the sun. At midday, make sure they are raised at around a 45 degree angle facing south (in the Northern Hemisphere). If you don't have this type of space where you can angle your solar panels, try to make the most out of the flat surface by getting rid of any objects that may be in direct sunlight.

In addition to angled solar panels, you can get more from your solar panels by making sure they are facing the sun. Solar panels catch the strongest rays of sunlight in a northeast/southwest direction--in between 9 and 3 o'clock on a clock face. Make an effort to place your solar panel within this range for maximum exposure to the sun's energy.

You can also improve your solar panels by getting rid of shade from trees or other objects. This is where angled/upright solar panels are best suited because they don't have to deal with obstructions that may cast shade onto your solar panels. You will want to take note of trees, buildings, and any other object that may cause shade and think about how you could remove that obstruction.

This is a simple, cheap way to get the most from your solar panels without making any major changes to your home or lifestyle. Too many people let their solar panels sit flat on the ground when they're really not working at their full potential.

Understand the basics of solar power.

Before you can get the most from your solar panels, you have to understand how they work. Solar energy is easy to harness and has become more affordable than ever before--in fact, about one-third of homes in America use solar power. You can either purchase solar panels for small scale production or talk to your local utility company about connecting to the power grid.

At its core, solar panels are designed to capture the sun's energy (heat) and turn it into electricity. This is done through two different types of solar panels--thin film and crystalline. Thin-film has a low upfront cost but isn't as powerful as crystalline or other alternatives like concentrated solar power (CSP). Crystalline panels are also called solar cells because they are made up of small solar cells that work together to create energy.

What's great about solar panels is how easy it is to use them once you have purchased them, installed them, and put them in the right spot. There are no cords or moving parts--the sun does all the work behind the scenes.

Check if your state offers tax incentives for installing solar panels.

If your state does, make sure you claim them; they can reduce the cost of buying and installing solar panels significantly.

Some states offer cash back for leased solar panels, too. If leasing allows you to get into solar power cheaper than buying, then consider leasing. However, if possible, it is usually more cost effective to buy the panels up front.

Solar panel costs vary from state to state, as well as regionally within states. This means that the price of solar energy also varies. The best way to find out how much solar power costs in your location is by looking up solar quotes for a home or property.

It is important that the panels are installed in an optimal location with as little obstruction as possible (trees, shade from nearby buildings). Remember that solar panel placement can make a huge difference; you need to choose the best orientation and pitch for your roof.

The size of your solar system can also affect how much money you save on electricity costs. The more solar panels you have, the more energy your property can generate. A higher number of solar panels also allows for better-optimized placement since there are less obstructions.

If you live in an area where electricity rates are high, then installing solar panels will likely pay off faster than if you lived somewhere with cheap power. However, even if you live somewhere with cheap power, solar energy is still a great way to save money.

As was mentioned previously, you need to have the right number of panels on your roof in order to maximize the amount of electricity that you generate for your home. For instance, if you have too few or too many panels, then there will be times when your house produces more energy than it needs or does not produce enough.

Compare this cost to your current electric bill.

If you are using more energy than the solar panels provide, then your electric bill will be higher. If you use less power than the solar panels produce each month, your electric bill goes to zero.

Solar Energy Company provides you with an estimate of 'how much' energy you could generate from their system (for free) and gives you an estimate of how much money this could save you each year. This estimate is based on your location and home's energy consumption profile. Not all areas are perfect for solar power generation. For example, large trees or shade from other buildings may not allow many panels to receive full sunlight at some times of the day or year.  However you can still take advantage of the solar energy generated by panels on other homes!

Climate plays a large role in how much power your panels could produce. However, even in areas that are not optimal for producing solar energy, there is still plenty of power to be had. Solar Energy Company will provide an estimate based on your home's size and location.

If you own a home that has been recently built or renovated, Solar Energy Company may not be able to provide you with an estimate because of a lack of data. In this case, they should still be able to give you other information about their system, such as what percentage of power it is likely to produce for your location.

TruHomePros has over ten years of Solar expertise, detailed customization, and 100% client happiness. We have the knowledge to tackle anything from lowering your monthly house electricity bill to developing unique solutions for your business. We'll be there with you every step of the way. Schedule a no-obligation consultation now.