Solar

There are many advantages to installing a home energy system in your home. The latest solar panel energy technology will not just save you money by cutting your electricity bill, but also contribute to a cleaner world.

By relying on the clean energy technology of solar panels, your family can look forward to reducing your electrical consumption and slashing your power bills.

A solar power system is designed to convert sunlight to energy. The main benefits of installing a solar system include:

1. Reducing the cost of electricity
2. Having a source of power to your home in the event of a power outage
3. Reducing your carbon footprint
4. Adding value to your property
5. Receiving financial compensation for extra electricity going back into the power grid

How home solar energy systems work

Solar panels capture sunlight and converting this into Direct Current, or DC.

This Direct Current moves to an Inverter which converts the direct current it receives to Alternate Current or AC. This is electricity which can be used around the home.

Image source: istockphoto

Modern Inverters are created to get maximum energy production. Unlike older versions, the current generation of solar energy systems can continue to function even if one solar panel is not operating.

The AC (electricity) produced in an Inverter can be used to power home appliances and electronics such as the TV, computers, fridge and cooktops, lighting and air-conditioning and heating.

Today, slimline solar energy storage batteries are available. They make a smart choice for families who want to capitalise on their solar panel investment.

By using battery storage there is no wastage of excess electricity.

The electricity not used in your home is stored for later use. If the battery becomes full, excess power is sent back to your local power grid, and you are compensated at a set rate per kilowatt. And all the while, your solar panels continue to generate more electricity for your home to use.

Two Major Considerations

Interested in joining the millions of others that harness the natural power of the sun and use solar technology as a sustainable energy source in your home?

For everyone that makes a major purchase for their home, they must always balance the major considerations of cost versus quality. For every family, this will determine if installing a household solar power system is the right choice.

The Cost Issue

There is no doubt that installing a complete solar energy system is not cheap. And it is not something you should DIY. If you are building a new home, talk to your property developer about including a solar energy system as part of the design.

When done professionally, a high-quality solar system will add value to your property. But the cost of installation will be thousands.

To reduce this cost many governments, offer rebates. Installation companies also offer payment plans.

Do your research.

While these rebates or plans may not offset the cost of the installation immediately, an efficient solar panel system is definitely a cost-saving feature for your home.

Solar panels help homeowners save money immediately and in the long-term.

• Immediately using a residential solar system will reduce the household power bill and avoid purchasing power from the local electricity grid.
• In the long-term, having solar panels also protects the homeowner from rising electricity costs. It is also an added feature that will improve your property’s value.

The Quality

The cost of installing a home solar system is an issue for many families. As with most things in life, price dictates quality.

There is no doubt that choosing high power-output solar energy panels will create maximum energy output. Which means more electricity.

The energy technology industry moves fast. Always check that you are being sold the latest quality solar panels and that they comply with the current industry standards.

Remember, to create a high power-output solar energy system, you need high-performing solar energy products.

These are the key factors to consider when comparing solar panels:

• Suitability for residential application
• Energy yields
• Stringent testing (including internal testing) for high-performance
• Reliability
• The durability of solar materials that will save on repair costs
• Long warranty periods that offer peace of mind for repairs and replacement
• Performance efficiency even in the shade
• Weather resistance, especially if you live in an area prone to frost, sand or even hail
• Suitability for your roof (i.e. sloping or non-sloping)
• Materials used to build the panels

Weighing up the Value

Once you ascertain what solar panels are best suited to your home environment, it becomes a matter of weighing up the initial cost with any government rebates and your expected benefits.

Research is clear that by harvesting energy for the sun, a home solar energy system will save you money long-term and reduce reliance on the electricity grid. This and the environmental good you are doing the planet might also be a factor in your decision.

If you do decide to install a solar energy system, make sure you get the most out of your solar technology.

Talk to a local expert or your property developer for appropriate advice and correct installation.

How to Start Your Own Solar Energy Blog

Do you have a passion for solar energy?

If so, you can easily find others online who share that passion. You can also share your wealth of information and knowledge. One way to do that is to start your own blog.

Don’t worry if you don’t know how. Keep reading for six easy tips on how to start your own solar blog.

Come Up with a Great Domain Name

There are a few good strategies to use when deciding on your domain name for your solar blog.

One strategy is to make it easy to spell. Next, make it easy to remember. It doesn’t have to contain the word solar in it.

Think about Amazon.com. There’s nothing in it that suggests it sells practically everything you need, but it is memorable.

Have fun with your domain name, but don’t make it too long.

Sign Up With a Web Hosting Company

The next step is to find a web hosting company. Make sure they can help you easily design a great looking site.

If it’s too complicated to use, you’ll probably lose interest and never end up writing your solar blog.

There are two choices when it comes to a hosting company. Some blog sites are free, while others are paid.

If you want your domain name, you’ll need to pay for your site. Paid sites are also great if you plan on monetizing your solar blog.

Choose a Color Theme for Your Solar Blog

A color theme is really important. Each color conveys a meaning.

Don’t go too crazy with your color theme. Just pick a few colors that work well with your site design.

Your blog should be eye-catching, not blinding–even if you are talking about the sun.

Find Some Great Photos

Photography helps bring more meaning to your content. It also makes it more attractive to your visitors.

You can use photo stock found on websites, or you can take and use your own photos. Your other option would be to hire a professional photographer.

Don’t overload your blog with photography, though. Also, don’t forget to create a relevant filename for your photographs. That will help improve SEO.

Start Writing Content

Content is king, especially for a blog about solar power in the Bay Area.

Write about subject matters that inform and entertain your visitors. Don’t forget to write and publish consistently.

People will keep coming back if there’s fresh content to be read. Use keywords so people and search engines can help find your blog.

Don’t be afraid to use links. They can help promote your site and set you up as an authority on your favorite subject matter.

Keep Learning

Learning how to create a great blog is a little daunting. There’s a lot of different strategies you can use.

You also need to figure out how to understand your data and analytics. This will let you know which strategies are working and which ones aren’t.

See what your competition is doing. Find sites that provide more information on writing great blogs.

To learn more, check out our recent posts about writing great blogs.