A one-time investment, installing solar panels in your home can be recovered in only a few years and provide you with a life time of free electricity. Solar panels are also a green solution to fuel consumption; they use no resources other than the natural resource of the suns power. They are environmentally clean as they do not burn anything or release harmful toxins into the environment. It was estimated that in 2001 the general American household used 900 kilowatt hours per month generating around 14,796 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Solar power can certainly help reduce your carbon footprint.

Solar power works by using the sun as a natural resource for collecting and storing energy. With solar power you can be rest assured that you are more in control of your own power supply and can even sell excess power to your local power station.

There are a few considerations you should take before changing over to solar power. Installation fees can be expensive, the initial cost of changeover is high and unlikely to reduce for a few years. Also the cost of repairing broken or damaged panels may prove costly. You also need to consider your location and how many daylight hours and sun days you get in your area. If the result is low then you will have to consider a backup power supply or invest in storage batteries. You also need to consider the roof space of your home, you will need approximately 8 square meters for each 1kw of solar paneling.

The amount of energy you will need to use will vary from household to household depending on the size of your property and family and how much electricity you use in your day to day life, for example you need to take into consideration how you usually cool or heat your house, if you use electricity instead of gas to cook or heat water than your average consumption of energy will be higher. It is recommended if you are using solar power you may want to cut down on your consumption of electricity, as the more electricity you use the more solar panels you will need to invest in.

There are two ways you can introduce solar panels into your home, you can either pay a company to install it or you can build it yourself. Although the latter suggestion may seem daunting, many people are now building their own solar panels with no prior experience and there is a huge online market with simple kits and step by instructions to assist you in creating homemade solar energy.

Homemade Solar Panels are certainly the cheapest option if you are thinking of converting as a professional installation can cost from hundreds to thousands to install. However you must remember that the installation is usually on high roof tops and you have to either have a little knowledge of electrical wiring or be able to follow instructions clearly.

If you decide to go with a professional, do your research and ask around for responsible and reliable companies offering this service. Also compare quotes, the process is generally expensive but bear in mind compromising quality for a lower initial cost may prove to be more costly in the future. A good manufacturer should offer a long term warranty on the panels, about 25 years is a good guarantee to have.

Before you make the switch over you should also think about making your home more energy efficient as you will now be responsible for managing and maintaining your own power supply. Ensure your house is well insulated so it doesn’t leak away important energy resources, watch out for gaps in doors and windows along with open fireplaces and chimneys. Remember open plan houses are harder to heat then small spaces.

Scrutinize your electricity bill to get to know your consumption habits, recognize what you can cut down on and remember to always turn electrical good off when not in use, simple things like leaving computers and hi-fis on can have a drain on your resources.

Check your roof, a southern facing exposure is the best placement for solar panels along with a slanted roof space. Ensure the roof space you are planning on using gets full exposure to the sun for a good proportion of the day, also check there are no trees or other buildings shading your roof from the sun.

Be sure to do your research into reputable products and services, whether you are choosing a professional or going the homemade route in providing solar panels for your home.