How To Make The Greenest Choices

Using Solar Energy as a Renewable Energy Source

Solar energy has some restrictions that can make it difficult to implement on the average half-double home, but it can provide significant high output power that may help overcome other concerns.

For any installation, the optimum location for the solar panels would be on the south / southwest side of the roof. Although direct sunlight is not necessary for the panel to generate solar power, direct sunlight creates the highest form of power, which means that anything, such as trees or tall buildings that prevent direct sunlight from hitting the panels, will significantly affect the panels ability to provide its optimum output power.

One drawback in northeast Pennsylvania when it comes to solar, is snow cover and short winter daylight hours. Solar panels that are installed on the standard half-double home's roof will not be readily accessible for removing snowfall. This means the snow will have to melt on its own in order for the panels to resume creating power. Since sunlight can penetrate a few inches of snow, you still may get some minor power output, plus the sun's infrared light may also heat the panels slightly, accelerating the melting of the snow cover.

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<- See 3rd Step of Being Green