subject: What You Must Know About Residential Solar Energy? [print this page] If you are tired of worrying over the high electricity bills that put your expenses out of control every month, put an end to the worry once and for all by getting a solar energy system installed to your home. Sun light is undoubtedly the most feasible alternative energy available for homeowners and businesses. As per the 2009 U.S. Energy Information Administration, only 8% of the country's energy came from the renewable sources, and only one percent of that came from solar energy.
Unfortunately many homeowners are apprehensive about installing the residential solar energy systems because they are deferred by the cost of installation. Furthermore, creating a full residential solar energy system is more expensive than putting up a few solar panels on the roof. However with a proper understanding of the advantages and limitations of the residential solar energy systems, you can make the most of your system, by reducing your electricity bill and eventually eliminating it completely. In this article we will tell you some important facts that you must known about the residential solar energy systems:
Choosing The Perfect Site Is Important
Most of the residential solar energy systems are mounted on the roof to save space and make for clear exposure to the sun. To get the highest efficiency from a roof mounted solar system, your house needs to be oriented in a certain way. As per the U.S. Department of Energy, the solar energy panels that are south facing get the maximum sun light and consequently generate more energy.
Furthermore, if the direction or shape of your home obstructs the traditional mounting of the solar panels on the roof, you may install a solar array. There are certain movable solar mounting systems available that track the sun's path. In this case, you must ensure that the residential solar energy system is mounted on an area which is not shadowed by vegetation or any other obstructions during the day.
Stay With The Traditional Electricity Supplier
Many people who get residential solar energy panels installed think they no longer require their former electricity supplier and they disconnect the supply. However this is a mistake because there may be times when electricity generated through solar power may not be enough for use and you may need the traditional retail electricity. Hence, it is better to stay on the grid so that it can fill the gaps where the solar energy falls short.
A Hybrid System Is A Better Choice
The Residential Solar Energy systems basically depend on sun light to generate electricity however not all locations receive abundant sun light throughout the year, which means inconsistent supply of solar energy especially during the winter months. Hence a hybrid system combining the solar and wind energy would be a great way to avoid this problem. During the winter days, the sun light may not be strong but the wind is generally strong and this energy can be harnessed to generate power. The houses that rely on hybrid systems are usually off-grid and they only use diesel generators at times when both solar and wind energy is not sufficient.
