Installing photovoltaic systems at home to reduce the carbon footprint is more than a good idea…it is lucrative as well. Unlike the minimum amount of $60 paid by homeowners, solar electricity will not cost more than $12 per unit. Additionally, those with photovoltaic solar energy systems at home can even benefit from the performance-based incentives and rebates offered by various state governments. However, there are a few factors to be kept in mind while installing solar units at home.

Photovoltaic Solar Energy Device Tips
The following are some tips to be kept in mind while installing home solar systems:

Direction: Regardless of the kind of solar powered products you use, make sure that it is positioned to face the sun during the hottest part of the day. In the Northern hemisphere, solar panels must be positioned to face south, for maximum sunlight throughout the year. In the Northern hemisphere, the solar panels must also be placed at an angle after calculating the horizontal equal to your home’s latitude plus 15 degrees.

Electrical appliance details: Before meeting a technician or consultant regarding solar panels installation, make sure that you have full knowledge of all the electrical appliances, their wattage as well as the number of hours they are used. This is the basic information dealers will need to know.

Hire a licensed installer: Look for a local licensed installer, who has experience of working with grid-linked systems, to fix your residential photovoltaic system.

Determine panel array: Calculate the number of solar panels you would need according to the winter sunshine hours rather than summers. The sunshine hours are twice as much as in summers as compared to winters and incorrect calculation would leave you greatly dependent on backup power.

Solar panel maintenance: Although solar energy photovoltaic systems do not require regular maintenance, it is essential that you remove the thin layer of dust that covers the glass because dust or dirt particles block some amount of sunlight and decrease the system’s efficiency.
If you are looking for local, state or federal incentives, check them out from the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) before committing to a particular photovoltaic solar energy system.

Cheers

Dennis Yew