News about Solar, Wind and alternative green power technologies

Using a solar energy power system for your home electricity needs can be an awesome advantage to any residential home owner. The good news is that most areas of the United States are considered fine for using solar power units, some areas obviously are better suited than others for instance, Arizona and the rest of the southern US states.

Regardless of how well suited your local climate and weather patterns are, there are other issues to resolve before heading out and purchasing the materials for a home solar energy installation.

Do An Analysis Of Annual Sunlight – When you live in a high sunlight location, you will get more Watts per hours of sun per square inch. This means you may require fewer solar panels to produce an adequate amount of energy for your needs. If your region has copious cloud covered days over the course of a year, solar may not be a viable option. South western states as opposed to north western states would be suitable for solar. The more direct sunlight exposed to your solar panels the better your results.

Nothing Should Be In The Way Of Sunlight – If you have shade trees on your property, they might block the direct sunlight. Solar panels must be installed where they receive the most radiation. Peak hours of sunlight must be captured so the panels need to be exposed to the sun during these times and in a location to take advantage of the radiation. The mid day hours are peak periods for sun energy capture.

Solar Panels must Have Southern Exposure – The sun is not straight above us during the daylight hours but is positioned just to the south of us. The perfect solar arrangement for sunlight capture is when you install panels facing south. If you have a peaked roof that faces south, you are in good shape and if this is not the case, you can angle your panels with special brackets. This is certainly not a deal breaker but your unit will work more efficiently. Your objective is to get the most production from every panel possible and the most bang for your electrical buck.

Your Roof Must Be Sturdy – you need to be certain that your roof is structurally sound to support the weight of the solar panel array when it is installed. Be sure to reinforce your roof is this is necessary, prior to installation to avoid problems. Certain roofs have vents and maybe a skylight or two that will be in the way of the perfect positioning. You might want to look at moving these or covering them for optimum efficiency.

Know The Type Of Power Grid Connector You Have – Older homes specifically might require an improvement made to the breaker panel, some states allow you to sell your additional power back via net metering which means maybe a second power meter must being installed. This will add significantly to your solar power installation set up. You will require the assistance of a professional to update the electric panel and perhaps the municipality will be involved as well. It is an added distraction but a worthwhile one if you live in a prime location for solar power utilization.

Consider these factors prior to jumping into solar power systems for your home. You need to be prepared for any and all eventualities.