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5 Things To Consider When Converting To Solar Energy
Converting your home or office to a solar-powered system has never been easier or more affordable. If you have decided to make your year to live better, there is no reason not to make this eco-friendly change.
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Solar power isn’t just kind to the environment, it will save you money in the long run by allowing you to go off the grid. It is such a refreshing feeling to not have to be reliant on energy providers 24/7. Here are five things for you to consider when you make the change:
1. Placement
Where you choose to install your solar-powered system will make all the difference in the world. Poorly placed panels will be far less effective at drawing power from the sun.
Ensure that you consider all of the available spots on your property and choose an area that has the most prolonged exposure to sunlight and is the furthest away from trees. Shade is not your friend when you’re installing solar so be sure to plan first and remove any trees that are in the way.
2. Consumption
Your solar-powered installation requirements will largely rely on how much power your family and home use per day. This consumption needs to be matched as closely as possible with your solar installation.
The more energy you need, the more solar panels you will require so your consumption will directly impact the cost of your installation.
3. Panel Quality
The cheapest solar panels are often the ones that aren’t very efficient. Most standard solar panels can convert around 16 to 18% of the energy they receive into useable electricity. The better-quality panels can convert around 22%, and the best solar panels in the world (that practically no regular homeowner can afford) can convert 44%.
Make sure to check what your complete solar power system efficiency rate is. This rate will affect how many panels you will need to cope with your energy requirements.
4. Lifestyle Adjustment
Solar power systems are not designed to carry heavy loads for long periods, you will need to adjust how you consume energy. Replace old-fashioned lightbulbs with LED ones and replace old appliances that are less energy efficient with newer models.
Run your bigger appliances, like washing machines and dishwashers, during the day. There are several ways to adjust to a solar-powered lifestyle and none of them is too difficult or inconvenient.
5. Monitor Your Usage
To make sure that you get the most out of your solar installation, you must regularly monitor your output and usage. That will help to ensure that your solar panels are doing their job. Many installers offer a monitoring service, but they are generally only going to pick up red flags that indicate larger problems.
The inverter component of your solar installation is a device that will help you to keep track of the amount of energy that your panels are producing. Some of these devices have a smartphone app that you can install and log in to check your system’s performance.
About the Author Laura Bennett
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
