Solar power has become of the most popular forms of renewable energy in the modern world. There are seemingly endless reasons to go green these days, apart from just saving the planet – which is clearly the biggest reason.
Many states offer tax rebates for using solar energy, so you’ll have plenty of reasons to convert your home or office today.
Read on to discover five ways for getting the most out of your solar installation once you have converted.
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Use It During The Day
If you’ve recently converted to using a solar-powered system, you may not yet know that you need to get the bulk of your usage done during the day. That way your solar panels have a chance to recharge for the evening.
Run your dishwasher, washing machine, and other heavy-usage appliances on sunny days if possible – that will allow you to get the most out of your new system.
If you haven’t had a lot of sun in your area lately, you can always use the backup system to tide you over.
Keep Your Panels Clear
Your solar panels can only perform to the best of their ability if they are kept clean and clear. Leaves, dirt, and other things can cover your panels and stop them from working efficiently.
Check your panels regularly to make sure that they are clean and in full sunlight where possible. You must ensure that your panels get installed away from trees and shady areas. The shade will stop them from working optimally. Your solar panels need to be exposed to as much sunlight as possible during the day.
Buy The Right Batteries
When buying batteries for your solar-powered system, you need to know that not all battery chemistry is the same. Most home systems use the same type of batteries used in electric cars and smartphones.
Choose a deep cycle battery for your solar, they can handle many discharge cycles, and the rate at which they discharge is stable enough to be reliable for long periods.
Panel Efficiency Rate
Not all solar panels are created equally. Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells – they convert energy from the sun into useable electricity for your home or office. Unfortunately, not all solar energy gets transformed into electricity – that all depends on the effectiveness of your panels.
Most solar panels have an efficiency rate of about 18%; the better ones are rated at around 25% – and the best ones in the world achieve a rate of about 44% per panel.
Monitor Your Output
The only way to truly understand the performance of your solar-powered system is to monitor its output. Keep track of how much strain it gets put under and how long an average charge lasts your family.
Once you know when and where your solar power is most used, you can make the necessary changes and additions to make the most of your system.
