Three Things to Consider Before Buying Solar Panels

Solar power may just be the answer to the world’s energy problems. When you consider that 1 hour of sunlight can produce more power than every person, city, or country uses in a year it not about how, but more about when. There is a lot of speculation about Solar energy being a solution for the world’s energy problems. But wouldn’t it be beneficial to know if there are any dangers or hidden negative issues before starting a massive project?

First – Cost
It’s incredibly important to look into the cost of the solar system that you would like to install. On average a 4k system or a solar panel system that can produce 4000 watts day will cost about $25,000 dollars. Prices vary from city to city so it’s important to talk to several contractors before you sign anything.
You also want to know if your state or local utility will can help with the cost with rebates or incentives. If you are planning to make your own solar panels then check with your utility to make sure they can be tested and certified to meet their requirements. Otherwise you will not be able to connect your solar panel array to the grid. If you are not planning on tying to the grid, say for a cabin or RV system then you are not bound by restrictions, but will not be able to apply for any rebates.

Second – New Technology
If you read the news about solar energy research, you will be amazed at the number of companies that are developing new systems and products. Solar energy research is a worldwide growth industry, with new discoveries being made every month. There is a real temptation to hold off on your solar energy project so you can use the latest technology. But not every experimental product with market potential actually makes it to the consumer. Solar panels are no different than any other new product in the process of research and development. Sometimes the best ideas just don’t work out as desired, or are just too expensive to produce. So it’s always a bit of a gamble to wait too long for advances in new technology. If wait too long before you buy solar panels you could be unnecessarily blowing several months or years of using your solar energy system.

Third – Outdated Technology
Are you afraid of buying or make solar panels right before the next new product advancement? This dilemma is the other side of the coin from waiting too long for a breakthrough. The fear is that a less expensive and better technology is right around the corner, but you just spent thousands on outdated technology. You can do a lot to prevent this scenario by doing a little research on the internet or the library. There are professional business journals that have the latest news on industrial R and D (research and development), and forecast when new products will reach the consumer market. But many of these journals cost several hundreds or thousands of dollars for a yearly subscription, so only libraries can afford them. If your library doesn’t subscribe, ask your librarian to get it for you. Then you’ll need to decide whether you want to wait for the newest product, or go with a traditional energy system that might be more reliable and predictable because it has withstood the test of time.