• Tips for Planning a Solar Power Installation

    Before your solar power installers arrive, you need to prep your house and the location of the installation. Solar power panels in The Villages, FL need full sun if they are going to work efficiently and deliver the necessary amount of energy you need to run your household. Discuss the location of your solar panels with your solar installers, and then get to work on preparing the area.

    • Clear the proposed location of all debris. If the solar panels will be located in your yard, then trim all trees or bushes that might interfere with the panels’ accessibility to the sun throughout the day.
    • Repair or replace your roof, if you need to. Solar panels will typically be installed on the roof, because this allows the best access to constant sunlight. If your roof is in disrepair or should be replaced, the panels will not function correctly, and they could even become a hazard.
    • Make a clear path for installers to work. Clear your driveway and the surrounding property of any appliances, woodpiles, or debris that might prohibit a ladder from reaching the roof. This will ensure a quick installation with minimal interruptions.

    Solar Panel Installation

  • What Are the Advantages of Solar?

    If you are interested in making the switch to solar power for your home, it is a great idea to do your research about the benefits of this alternative energy source. There are many advantages to choosing solar energy for your home’s electricity and water heating needs. For example, since solar systems rely on the sun’s rays for power, they will never run out of fuel. For this reason, solar energy is a completely renewable resource. Additionally, solar panels and other solar energy systems are very easy to install and maintain. After you switch over to solar panels, you can also enjoy lower monthly electrical bills. Finally, the government also offers tax incentives to families who use solar energy. To learn more about the advantages of solar power, be sure to get in touch with a company offering solar power systems in Ocala, FL.

    Advantages of Solar

  • A Look at Some Different Sources of Alternative Energy

    If you are seeking a great way to go green at home, while also saving money on your energy bills, you may want to consider switching over to solar energy. Solar power is among the most popular clean energy alternatives for today’s homeowners. When you install solar panels for your home, you will be able to harness the power of the sun’s rays. A company offering solar power systems in The Villages, FL will be able to answer your questions about the benefits of solar. Read on for an overview of some of the different sources of alternative energy that are available to you.

    Alternative Energy

    Solar Energy

    When you are in search of a plentiful alternative energy source, you can simply look to the sun. In fact, solar energy is among the most popular alternative energy sources in the world. With solar panels, your home’s electrical system can transform UV rays into electrical power for your household. From solar water heaters to solar lights and more, there are many uses for solar energy in your household.

    Wind Energy

    Wind energy is another popular source of alternative energy. In order to harness energy from the wind, a windmill must be used. As the wind blows, it will spin the windmill, which will create electrical power that is stored in a generator. Wind energy is typically harnessed in areas that experience high winds on a frequent basis. Since today’s windmills are very large, they must also be placed in wide open spaces.

    Geothermal Energy

    Another alternative energy source is derived directly from the earth. Geothermal energy comes from heat that is generated deep underneath the earth’s crust. As this heat energy rises to the surface of the earth, it can be stored and used to generate electricity. One of the advantages of this alternative energy source is that it generates no pollution or harmful environmental side effects. Your solar expert can answer all of your questions about alternative energy sources.

  • How to Choose a Solar Company

    If you are considering adding solar panels or a water heater to your home, you may be wondering what to look for in a solar company near Leesburg or North Central Florida. Finding the right company for your needs is the best way to ensure exceptional service and a quality solar system installation.

    Solar Company in North Central Florida

    When choosing a solar power company, you should look for establishments that have a long history of providing homes and businesses in the area with excellent service and consistent quality. The ideal solar energy company will use only the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient products for collecting and converting solar power.

    Before selecting a solar company, ask about any quality guarantees and system performance assurances that they offer. Find out what financing options are available, and if any supplied quotes are firm or merely an estimation. Finally, ask how much energy a system is likely to produce for your home, and how much it could potentially save you on energy costs.

  • Home Solar Panels 101

    Solar panel systems capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. If you’re thinking about installing solar panels for your home near The Villages or North Central Florida, there are a few helpful facts that can help you determine if solar power is right for you. Contrary to popular belief, solar energy can be harnessed to power your household nearly anywhere in the United States, and solar panels can be installed on your roof or the ground near your home.

    Solar Panels

    Home solar panels create an eco-friendly and inexhaustible source of energy due to their ability to convert sunlight into power. During the day, solar cells inside of the panels absorb the sun’s energy as they are exposed to the light. Inside of the cells are circuits which convert the collected energy into direct current electricity. Finally, because most homes run on an alternating current, the direct current is sent through an inverter which transforms the power to an alternating current. At this point, your house can be powered by the electricity created from the collected solar energy.

  • Looking Back at the History of Solar Power

    If you’ve heard about the benefits of solar power near The Villages and North Central Florida, you may be interested in learning that the use of solar energy is not a new concept. In fact, people have been harnessing the sun’s power for centuries.

    Solar Ovens

    Solar-powered ovens rely on the sun’s heat to warm foods and drinks. The first known use of solar ovens occurred in 1767. The invention of a Swiss physicist by the name of Horace de Saussure, these solar ovens consisted of an insulated box fitted with three layers of glass that were used to collect and trap heat. Today, solar ovens are popular in locations where electricity is difficult to access, and are powered by sunlight alone.

    Solar Power

    Solar Electricity

    In the year 1873, Willoughby Smith, an English engineer, discovered that selenium, a chemical element, demonstrated photoconductivity (increased electrical conductivity in the presence of light) while in its solid form. Three years later, Professor William Grylls Adams and his student Richard Evans Day were the first to see an electrical current move through a material that was exposed to light after they attached electrodes to a plate of selenium.

    Solar Radiation

    Although it is one of his lesser-known achievements, Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for his formulation of the photon theory of light. Developed in 1905, the theory describes how the photons contained in solar radiation can transfer their energy on a metal surface.

    Solar Cells

    Also referred to as photovoltaic cells, solar cells are devices which convert solar radiation into electricity. The first designs for solar cells were created by the American inventor Charles Fritts in 1883. However, it was three researchers from Bell Labs by the names of Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson, and David Chaplin who are credited with the creation of the world’s first solar cells in 1954. Over the following years, they managed to improve their device’s conversion efficiency from 4% to 11%. Their first successful trial using the cells in solar panels occurred in 1955, and Bell Labs later supplied solar power for one of NASA’s Vanguard satellites in 1958.

  • Understanding the Process of Mounting Solar Panels

    If you’re investigating the possibility of using solar panels for your home in The Villages, you may be curious about how the installation process works. You will need to hire a state-certified solar contractor for your solar panel installation, as it is a delicate and complicated procedure. Here is a look at the process of mounting solar panels on your home.

    Determining the Best Place for Solar Panel Installation
    The person who installs solar panels in your home will first need to determine the best place for installation. This primarily depends upon the type of roof that your home has. Shingles work best for solar panel installation, but roofs with uneven surfaces, such as tile roofs, are more challenging. You can also choose to have your solar panels installed on stand-alone racks. This is beneficial because you will retain unrestricted access to your roof to make repairs or to install other necessities. Whether you choose to have the panels installed on your roof or on racks, your installer will make sure that they are placed in an area that gets the most sun throughout the day.

    Obtain the Necessary Permits Mounting Solar Panels
    Before you can pick a date for your solar panel installation, you will need to obtain the necessary permits. Your solar panel installer will obtain these permits from your local city or county building department. Your HOA cannot prevent you from installing a renewable energy system on your property. If you are the first person in your area to install a solar power system, you and your installer will need to work closely with your local building officials to ensure the project goes smoothly.

    Solar Panel Mounting and Installation
    Once you have obtained permits and decided on an installation location, your installer will begin mounting and installing your solar panels. The panels will be mounted at the proper angle and secured with stainless steel bolts. They will then be connected to each other and your home using junction boxes and wires. This must be done according to your local building codes.

  • 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.