Solar Panels

Considerations When Using Solar Panels

The rising costs of traditional energy supplies like oil and their imminent depletion makes it necessary for individuals and companies to look for alternative sustainable and renewable sources of energy. Solar energy is one of the top energy alternatives that companies are pursuing. Companies and households can expect lower energy bills when they switch to electricity generated through solar panels. Moreover, solar green energy does not run on fossil fuels and thus using it does not degrade the environment or pollute air.

Before converting businesses or households to solar, one should consider a number of things. These include where the solar panels will be located, the amount of energy used in the establishments and the equipment or appliances that need to be powered.

Converting an establishment to use solar power will require the concerned person to buy a reliable solar kit. It is easier to work with kits that come together with the installation. A full kit makes it easy to install solar panels and eliminates the worry of which individual pieces should be bought.

Location of solar panels

The best place to put solar panels is on the roof. At this location, they can get maximum exposure to the sun and they will also blend well with the roof. To get optimum energy from the sun, one has to consider the position at which the sun’s rays hit the roof or location where the solar panels are put. Households in areas near the equator should place the panels flat while those near the tropics should place them at about 45 degrees angle. Check for absolute specifications from the solar panel supplier in your region.

When putting solar panels, one should ensure that no obstacles are present that will block the sun’s rays or cast shadows on the panels. Obstacles like tree branches, tall buildings and poles should be considered when one is choosing where to put the solar panels. Check the length of shadows formed by the obstacles in the morning and evenings to decide the best place for the panels. Tree branches can be cut off to prevent them from blocking the sun. In instances where tall buildings or poles are blocking the sun’s rays, one will have to look for an alternative location.

How much energy will solar panels produce?

Solar panels work optimally when the sun is overhead. On such days, over 150 watts of power can be produced by one square meter of the panels. On overcast days, the power output is reduced. Generally, the output of the panels is affected by light intensity, the angle of exposure to the sun, the number of hours of exposure to the sun and the peak power of the panels.

Advantages of using solar energy

Converting your home to use solar energy helps to protect the environment. Solar energy is a renewable resource unlike fossil fuels like coal and oil. Moreover, no combustion is involved when producing solar energy and this keeps the air clean. You can read more about solar here http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/publications.html