When you're talking about ways to reduce your carbon footprint, solar power is sure to be included in the conversation. Solar power is renewable so there's no dearth of it and using it to generate electricity does not cause any pollution.the other more traditional alternative of burning coal in electric powerplanrs is definitely something that needs to stop. The question is, should you get a solar system for home ? Here are a few points to consider.
How Much Sunlight Do You Get?
There's one main prerequisite to generating solar power- lots of sunlight. You should only think about getting a solar system for home if you get unobstructed sunlight in the area where you plan to install the panels. There should be no other taller buildings that cast a shadow over this area or trees growing over it. If you have a long monsoon season or months in winter where the sunlight is minimal, this may not be the right choice for you. But if you live in a city where the days are long and bright, solar power may be perfect for you.
What's Your Current Electricity Bill?
There's no denying it, installing a solar power system is relatively expensive. Of course once the system is running, maintenance is negligible and you won't get a monthly electricity bill for years to come. It is a long term saving for many people but not everyone. For example, if you're travelling most of the year your electricity bills are already negligible. Putting up a solar power system may not help save too much money. You should also figure the cost of electricity. In some places, the rates are already low and unless you're very bothered by your indirect contribution to pollution, a solar power system does not offer significant benefits.
What Is Your Building Like?
When you imagine solar panels, you see them on rooftops. They can also be placed at ground level or on car park shades. The ideal place for installation depends on the number of panels needed, latitudes and longitudes and so on. If you have a sloping roof the angle of the slope is also to be considered. It should be such that the panels face the sun directly for most of the day. In the case of a flat roof, you'll probably have to get racks made to rest the panels. All of this is easy if you have an independent home. But if you live in an apartment block, getting access to the roof may be tricky in itself.
All of the above points when put together give you a sun number score. This is an easy easy to decide whether your home can truly benefit from a solar power system or not. If it turns out that solar power isn't a viable option for you, there is still plenty you can do to live more sustainably. Use your electricity wisely and switch off all lights and fans when you're not in the room. You can get solar chargers for your phones and other devices and so on.
And if you do decide to get a solar system for home , make sure you do it right. Don't try to cut costs by buying local stuff. Invest in panels, inverters and batteries from trustworthy brands. Not only will your system be more reliable, it'll also last longer and you can truly experience hassle free green electricity.
