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Are you looking for ways to save money and limit your environmental impact by conserving energy? If so, you have probably given solar energy some serious thought. There are a multitude of benefits that come from investing in solar energy, from reducing your carbon footprint to energy independence. However, solar energy is not necessarily a good fit for every homeowner. Check out the following article to learn more about solar energy companies in Seattle and in your area to see if their services are right for you. Solar Energy: Is It a Good Fit for You? Solar energy is a great alternative to traditional energy consumption, and the benefits are many. Solar energy is an inexhaustible resource, and it is completely free to harness once you invest in the equipment to do so! However, solar energy is a large initial investment, and the effectiveness of the equipment varies from house to house and region to region. Check out this list to determine if solar energy is a good fit for you and your family: • Do you have the correct orientation? There are several factors that contribute to the optimum solar energy panel site. Correct orientation is a major factor. The best panel location is on a south-facing roof with a 30-35 degree pitch and no shade in sight. The ideal is not common to most homeowners, however, and so an east- or west-facing roof is still acceptable. The downside is that you will note a 10-15% decrease in solar exposure (and therefore energy savings). Regardless of where you live in America, there is enough sun production to allow for adequate solar energy savings if you orient the site correctly. • Can you afford the initial investment? A solar energy system will run anywhere from $20,000-40,000. This is quite an investment, and you must make sure that you can afford this installation and that it is worth the investment for you and your family. There are usually financing options available to you with fixed rates. Additionally, you will probably find that a lot of your initial investment will come back to you over the years in the form of tax credits and government incentives. • Is your site in full sunlight? A site that experiences shade during the day is not an optimum site. You need hours of sunlight typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for adequate sunlight production. Most of you sun exposure will be during the middle hours of the day, and it is important that your site is in full sunlight during that time. • How long do you plan to live in your home? Most homeowners will find that it takes around 3-5 years for the savings gleaned from a solar energy system to break even with the initial investment. If you are not planning on living in your home very long, then the investment may not be a sound one. Those who do end up selling their home will find that the return on investment from a solar energy system is around 5-15%. You will be able to sell your home for a much higher price than what you bought it for. • Do you have an HOA? While it is against the law for your Homeowner's Association to turn down your request for a solar energy system, you will need to make sure that the system is within the guidelines set by your HOA. It is also a good idea to talk with your neighbors to ensure they understand what your system will look like and that they are okay with its appearance. Many solar energy companies in Seattle and your area are willing to work with you and are flexible enough to work within your HOA parameters. Invest in solar energy for your home or building with SolTerra Systems in Seattle. Solar energy companies in Seattle. Visit our page on http://www.solterrasystems.com/solar/basics/ for more info!
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