| There is a lot of buzz about solar energy and how | | | | Solar Hot Water |
| installing solar panels at your home can help the | | | | Solar panels that are used to generate hot water are |
| environment and cut back on your energy bills. Solar | | | | also flat panels situated on the roof. This system uses |
| power is a cheap and clean energy source, which | | | | the sun to heat up the water. There will also be a |
| makes it a great alternative to other energy sources. | | | | water tank, situated either on the roof or in a different |
| Solar panel installations come in different types and | | | | location if it is a split system. Another option is an |
| sizes and are customised to each type of property. It | | | | evacuated tube system. This also goes on your roof, |
| is important to select the system that will benefit your | | | | but is a system of tubes that heat the water more |
| unique energy needs. Choosing which type of solar | | | | efficiently than do the panels. The evacuated tube |
| energy installation is right for you can be tricky, so it is | | | | system uses pressurized liquid in glass tubes to heat a |
| important to be well-informed on the different options. | | | | pipe that in turn heats the water. |
| Panel Types | | | | Size and Capacity |
| The first step is deciding what purpose you want the | | | | Once you have chosen which type of solar energy |
| solar panels to serve. There are solar panels to | | | | system you are interested in, you need to determine |
| generate electricity for the home, or to heat water for | | | | what size system is right for you. This depends on |
| the home. | | | | your property, your roof, your budget, climate and how |
| Photovoltaic | | | | much power you want to generate from the system |
| The panels for electricity, called photovoltaic panels, | | | | based on your normal energy usage. To cover the |
| are made of silicone and sit on your roof. They use | | | | average home's current energy bill a 1.5KW system |
| the sun to generate electricity, which is connected to | | | | would suffice. A professional solar energy installer can |
| the electricity grid with a new meter to measure the | | | | come to your home and help you determine exactly |
| free energy that you have created from the sun. | | | | what size and capacity will suit your needs. |