As more consumers become increasingly conscious of their actions and impact upon the environment, they want to do more to lessen the pollution that they cause to enter the atmosphere as a result of their daily activities.
And with rising energy costs, more consumers are also growing tired of the high energy bills that keep coming in every month. Therefore, a lot of people are interested in solar power and what it’s all about.
However, despite the interest, a lot of people still don’t know a lot about solar energy. Many of them, in fact, have the same unanswered questions. Therefore, to help bring clarity to this topic, below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding solar power.
How Does Solar Energy Work to Create Electricity for Buildings?
When solar panels are installed on a building, they work by absorbing the radiation that’s given off by the sun. Every panel is composed of many solar cells that actually absorb and trap the energy provided by the sun’s rays each day. This energy is then converted into a form of energy that can be used throughout the home for everything from turning the lights on to operating every type of appliance you own.
What if the Solar Panels Don’t Generate Enough Energy?
Even though you may have solar panels installed on your home, you may still be connected to your local utility company’s electrical grid. This is good news because in the event that your solar panels don’t produce enough electricity, such as on cloudy days or during the night, your electrical company will pump enough energy into your home to keep it going.
In the event that your solar panels create more energy than you actually need, however, the energy is sent back into the grid and your energy provider will actually give you a credit or refund on your bill as a result.
How Do I Know if My Home is Right for Solar Panels?
You need to talk to a solar panel company to determine how much space you need on your roof for the solar panels. Typically, you need quite a bit of space and your roof needs to have an area that gets uninterrupted sunlight for many hours throughout the day. If your roof is shaded, this could be a big problem.
A solar panel company, however, will be able to inspect the roof and determine the best location for solar panels. They’ll also help you decide what size panels you need to power your home with the energy you require.
Will Solar Panels Ever Cover All of My Energy Needs?
You may be able to get solar panels that come with a backup that stores extra energy for use at night and on overcast days. This may reduce the amount of energy that you get from the grid. However, most users are happy just getting that discount on their energy bill as a result of using the electricity from the solar panels at least part of the time. And they’re also happy knowing there’s no pollution involved with using solar energy.
Jessica Lewis is a renowned author of all things relating to renewable energy. When getting the latest information on solar panels, Jessica visits www.24solar.co.uk.