That's why it's so important not only to switch to solar, but to switch to solar smartly. That means getting the most possible efficiency out of your solar panel installation and squeezing all of the potential "juice" from your solar panels you can. Here are a few of our recommendations for ensuring that you get the most out of your new energy source.
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING AND INSTALLATION: It should be a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how many people think about skipping this step. Anyone can try to install solar panels if they were so inclined, but you can miss a lot when you don't have experience doing it. First, you should speak to a solar panel provider to ensure that your home has adequate sun exposure with an adequate roof-if not, no amount of solar panels is going to live up to your expectations. If, however, you consult with professionals to make sure that your home has a good location, a roof free from shade, and more, you'll get the most out of your solar panels.
PLACEMENT IS KEY: One of the reasons to consult with a professional? They'll know where and how your solar panels should be placed. For example, you can get more energy out of solar panels if they're slightly dipped toward the sun. You'll want to talk over your home and property with a professional to gauge the best possible placement of your solar panel so you can get the most out of every beam of sunshine, every day.
INSULATE: Insulating your home will prevent temperature loss, helping you to get the most of the natural solar energy that comes in directly through your windows. This is especially important on cooler days, of course, when you want to keep your home warm. But if you're running the air conditioner all day on a warm, sunny day, it also helps to ensure that you have an energy-efficient home capable of using all of the available solar energy.
START SMALL: Haven't made the leap to full solar energy yet? Start small. Add some solar-powered lights along that garden path, or take care in where you install that swimming pool, as natural solar heating can help cut back on heating costs. Remember that your home doesn't exist in a vacuum-in some way, it's going to interact with the sun whether you like it or not. It's better to make some use of the sun even if you haven't yet installed solar panels on your property.
