When It Comes To Home Solar, You Have Many Options

Many people may not be aware of how many options they truly have when they decide to make their home solar. While most people just think of solar as putting some panels up on their roof and that’s it, there are many different kinds of options when it comes to bringing green energy into your life. As for the panels themselves, it’s also interesting to take a look into exactly what these are so you’ll have a better understanding of how green energy works and why it’s so important to implement it into your life. If you’re looking to get a solar-powered home or you just want to learn more about solar energy, these options are tried and true ways of bringing it into your life.

How exactly does a solar panel work?

As stated above, the most obvious choice when it comes to solar energy is the solar panel, which is what most people are using to bring solar energy into their lives right now. These systems work using photovoltaic panels, which are commonly abbreviated to PV panels. These panels work by absorbing sunlight, which knocks electrons away from their atoms. These electrons then flow through the panel to create electricity. Not only can these panels power your home, but often they actually generate more energy than is needed for everyday life. Because of this, it’s possible to store excess energy into batteries that you can purchase separately and use them in emergency situations like blackouts or rainstorms. Aside from that, you can also use this excess energy through your utility company, who can credit you for that extra energy using a grid. During nighttime hours, you won’t have to worry about the lack of sunlight causing you to lose out on power and can keep on gaming until morning!

If you don’t want to pay for PV panels, thermal is a cheaper alternative.

Whether you can’t afford the price of PV panels or you’d simply rather invest in a cheaper alternative, thermal solar water heaters are a cheaper alternative. They can heat all necessary water, from your radiator to your shower. Unlike PV panels, which are connected to your electrical systems, a thermal solar water heater is connected to your plumbing. This means that they are just used for water heating and do not supply electricity to your home. However, if you take long showers and keep your lights shut off and electronics unplugged most of the time, a thermal solar water heater may be the right choice for you.

You can even go solar using passive systems.

While most people believe going solar requires extensive cost and additions to their homes, that’s not actually always the case. For thousands of years, people have been using passive solar systems - long before the idea of solar powered electricity ever entered our collective consciousness. These systems are utilized by learning what your home is built with and taking advantage of solar energy that way. For example, a large window facing the south is able to take in a lot of the sun’s energy to keep your home warm. There are air sealed homes and insulated walls to create a greenhouse effect in homes. If you already live in a home, you can figure out what it’s made of and take advantage of it that way. If you are planning on buying a home, you can be on the lookout for passive solar in your house search. You can also plan in the building of a home and orient the materials around the idea that you want your home to be passively solar.

You can also simply buy solar-generated power.

Just ask your utility company if they offer any solar powered options. From programs that are implemented to get consumers to go green to competitive areas where utility companies with solar energy are in heavy competition, asking your utility company if solar is a choice for your home is the simplest way to get your life solar-ready.

To learn more about going solar today, check out the HahaSmart blog.

HahaSmart Blog - More Solar Tips and Guide
HahaSmart News - Stay Informed
Your Solar Incentives - See Credits and Incentives in Your Area
Check Your Home's Solar Price - See How Much You Save
Register Now - Unlock The Lowest Solar Prices in Your Area