Electricity and heating bills are forever increasing at a rapid rate. Over time, we become more dependent on electricity and heat for a multitude of reasons, and in turn, this results in the cost of bills getting perpetually higher. One great way to save a ton of money over a considerable number of years is to harness renewable energy. There are different types of renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydraulic energy. Unfortunately, to harness wind energy, you need a ton of space and turbines to turn wind into usable energy. Similarly, hydraulic systems require a ton of effort and money. This makes solar energy the best option for businesses as well as homes. Before buying and installing your own solar energy harnessing system, here are some important facts you need to know.

1. Know the Space You are Working with

The first step you have to take when you consider installing solar panels is figuring out what kind of space you are working with. To ensure that the energy you are harnessing is worth the effort and cost, you need to first find out how much space you have to install solar panels. When choosing the space you want to use for panel installation, you need to keep a few factors in mind. For example, the place should have exposure to as much sunlight as possible. This is why most people install solar panels on their roofs. You should also make sure that the area you choose is away from bushes or trees since the panels could be scratched and thus have lower efficiency.

2. Types of Solar Panels

Now that you know where you want to install your solar panels for maximum efficiency, you should figure out what type of solar panels you want to invest in. Mainly, solar panels can use a PV system to convert solar energy to electricity or can turn solar energy into heat that can be used to heat water or a home. When solar panels were first created, they could only harness about one percent of solar energy. Nowadays, with businesses using software for PV design, more than forty percent of solar energy can be harnessed. With advancements in technology, in a short matter of time, it wouldn’t be a surprise if people start using solar panels that can harness even more than fifty percent.

3. Initial and Ongoing Costs

Solar panels are quite costly, which can put people off of investing in them. However, if you calculate the cost of solar panels and compare it to how much you are going to save on electricity and heating bills, you will find that it is well worth the initial cost. In general, there are minimal ongoing costs for solar panels. In fact, you can even sell excess energy collected to the national grid for an added bonus.

4. Maintenance Required

When it comes to maintaining your solar panels, you can do so easily by ensuring that no dust is obscuring the sun from the panels. You should also check your panels for scratches and breaks, especially after a storm or if the weather is not steady. If you notice scratches on your panels, then you will need to call in a professional to assess the damage and figure out if a panel needs replacing. Other than that, your solar panels are bound to work for a really long time. Solar panels come with a warranty that lasts for quite a while. Some solar panel warranties can last for up to twenty-five years.

5. Versatility

Solar panel installation is quite versatile. Solar panels can work even if there are clouds in the sky. As long as there is sunlight, even if it is not very apparent, you will be able to harness energy. Solar panels can be used on any type of surface nowadays. For example, they can be used on the sides of buildings, bridges, roads, and recently they have been used on smaller surfaces such as windows and some phone chargers.

6. Solar Battery Storage

One of the few cons of solar energy is that it can only be harnessed during the day. During nighttime, you will not have electricity. Luckily, the electricity generated during the day can be saved using a solar battery storage system. Basically, this battery gets charged by the solar energy you collect so that you can use it during nighttime to get the heat and electricity you need.

Now that you are aware of some of the most important facts concerning harnessing solar energy, you can start setting up plans to use solar energy to your advantage. Renewable energy is not only good for the environment, but it is also good for your wallet as it ensures that you can power up appliances, and provide your home with heat without having to stress out about added expenses. Remember that the more efficient your solar panel set up is, the faster you will be able to cover the costs of installation.