Anne Clarke asked: Demand for solar energy has grown in leaps and bounds in the last decade. At first, only large enterprises could afford solar panels. However, solar panels, also known as photovoltaic cells, can increasingly be found in homes.
Still, the transition for homeowners from grid power to solar power can seem daunting. Buyers can find themselves overwhelmed by tremendous amounts of information and questions about financing. To help you get started with the switch to solar energy we have compiled a list of home solar panel buying tips. These tips should help you get the most out of your solar panels and help you shop for photovoltaic cells.
If you are not ready to go off grid entirely, then dip your toe in the water by purchasing a few solar panels in the summer. During this time of year more sunlight reaches the panel, and you can expect to get twice the energy as you would in the fall and winter. Therefore, if you want to see some quick return on investment (ROI), start shopping just before summer and if you are satisfied add more panels in the fall.
If you don’t have the capital to purchase solar panels, then you will need to investigate financing options. Home mortgages remain the best option. If you do not qualify for a home mortgage, look for a standard bank loan. Unfortunately, 2008’s credit crunch has caused banks to tighten their purse strings. Wall Street analysts hope that the recent injection of federal funds into the banking industry should loosen up the credit freeze by mid-2009.
If you can’t afford a high-end solar panel system, shop for a crystalline silicon-based module system. While gallium arsenide is the standard ingredient grown specifically to produce solar cells, there is a greater supply of silicon which makes your investment less expensive.
Once you decide on the kind of solar panels you’ll purchase and find a way to finance it, you need to assess how many solar panels you’ll need. You also have to determine the size of the inverter necessary. (An inverter converts the power that is stored in solar panels into AC power for your home.) Therefore, you will need to do a top to bottom assessment of your average energy consumption per month. Even if you don’t go through with the purchase this step will prove worthwhile because it gives you a chance to assess your energy consumption and cut down use wherever possible.
When it comes to choosing an installation company compile a list of service providers near you. Then, do your research. Find out which company has installed grid connected photovoltaic systems. This experience can be valuable because some elements of the installation will require work with the local utility company. Also, ask how long the provider has been in the business: experience speaks for itself.
Before installation, consult with your installer to maximize the efficiency of your solar panels. Ask your installer to make sure that the solar cells are mounted on an angle equal to your latitude.
We hope that this list of home solar panel buying tips will get you off and running on your quest toward a more green lifestyle. In the long run, you will add value to your home, save energy, and reduce your carbon footprint by investing in photovoltaic technology.
Christine
