• Preparing for Your Solar Panel Installation

    So you’ve decided to harness the power of the sun and enjoy clean, affordable, and renewable energy at home with a residential solar panel. This is a great decision if you live in North Central Florida, where an abundance of sunlight means you can power your home for a lot less than it would cost to stay connected to the utility power grid. If you’ve already researched solar panels for your home, the next step (and arguably the most important) is selecting a solar company to perform the installation. Here are some things to know as you prepare for solar panel installation in North Central Florida.

    DIY or Professional Installation? Solar Panel Installation
    Installing solar panels isn’t as simple as slapping cells on your roof and enjoying clean, alternative energy at home. Panel placement is key to building an efficient solar energy system, and there is a lot of extra wiring and structural supports to install. Even if you are an experienced and confident do-it-yourselfer, solar panel installation is best left to professionals.

    Expected Project Length
    After you select a solar company in The Villages to perform the installation, it can take a few days or weeks to schedule the installation and get all of the necessary parts and equipment. Wiring and installation generally take a few days, depending on the size of your home and the number of solar panels being installed. A solar contractor in your area can provide you with a specific timeline so you know how long it will be until you are enjoying clean and affordable energy.

    Installation Permits
    One of the reasons it can take a few weeks or longer between the time you sign the contract and the actual installation of your solar panels is the fact that permits are required for home solar panel installations in Florida. Your installer should obtain the necessary permits for you.

  • Understanding the Importance of Attic Fans

    Although it may seem odd to purposely allow air into the attic after going through the trouble of adding insulation and sealing off your home, proper ventilation is actually one of the most important elements of an energy-efficient home. During the warmer months, natural air flow in a well-ventilated attic will move super-heated air out of the attic which in turn cools down your home and reduces your reliance on expensive air conditioning. Attic ventilation can also prevent the buildup of moisture which can damage shingles and lead to mold and mildew.

    Attic fans are very important, but there’s an easier and more affordable way to keep your attic cool and prevent mold and mildew. Solar attic fans are powered completely by free solar energy, meaning there are no operating costs and no electrical hookups to worry about. And because these attic fans are powered by the sun, they provide continual ventilation for your attic, even if the power goes out. Contact a solar company in North Central Florida to learn more about the benefits of solar attic fans and to schedule professional installation today.

    Attic Fans

  • Maintenance Tips for Your Solar Pool Heater

    If you live in North Central Florida, odds are you have a swimming pool in your backyard. And if you have a swimming pool, you know how much pool heating can cost you each month. Fortunately, there’s an affordable alternative way to keep your pool warm all year long. A residential solar pool heater eliminates all pool heating costs and keeps your pool at the perfect temperature well into the fall and winter months. A properly installed solar pool heating system can last up to 15 years with proper care. And while professionally installed solar pool heaters require very little maintenance, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your solar pool heating system stays in top shape.

    Regular Pool Maintenance Solar Pool Heater maintenance
    The most important part about maintaining a solar pool heating system is simply maintaining your pool and the filtration system as you normally would. The filter should be cleaned as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure adequate flow is supplied to the solar collectors, and the pool’s pH and chlorine levels must be maintained within the specified limits.

    Touch Test
    You should check the solar heating system for proper operation at the beginning of each swimming season. A properly operating solar pool heating system should feel cool to the touch. If the solar collector feels unusually warm, contact the solar company in North Central Florida that installed the system and schedule a professional inspection by a trained solar technician.

    Winterization
    Although the swimming season in North Central Florida practically extends all year, it is recommended that the panels be shut off during a hard freeze. This ensures trouble-free performance for years to come during the normal times of the year when you and your family will most likely be enjoying your swimming pool. A solar company in Clermont or the surrounding area can provide a winterization service for a small fee.

  • The History of Solar Energy

    Solar energy is at the forefront of renewable energy technology around the world. While a solar panel installation may seem like an incredibly advanced choice for your household, solar energy can actually trace its history back to the 1800s. The first discovery of the power of solar energy occurred in 1839, when Alexandre Edmond Becquerel found that he was able to transform solar light into electricity. By 1954, scientists at Bell Laboratory had engineered the first solar cell. This photovoltaic cell was able to convert sunlight into electrical current, which was used to power electrical devices and more. Throughout the rest of the 20 th century, scientists developed new and efficient advances to the basic solar cell design. Today, households across the country use solar energy to power their homes and lighting systems. With the help of a company offering solar energy in The Villages, you can make the switch to solar today.

    Solar Energy