Last year solar panels had a real rise popularity, as people attempted to off-set their rising household bills with renewable energy sources. Once these solar panels were installed, many home owners let them do their magic without giving them a second thought.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, but there are things you can be actively doing to save you more money and improve the solar panel’s performance.
Keep them clean
This might sound obvious, but very few people actually go to the trouble. Dirt and debris can quickly build up the panel surface preventing them from operating at maximum efficiency.
We suggest cleaning the panels once or twice a year with water and a microfiber cloth. If you’re attempting to climb roofs to clean the panels, please ensure you take precautions or better yet – call in the professionals.
Switch it on when the sun shines
To really make the most of your solar panels you need to change the way you use electricity in your home. If the sun is shining then you will have a free supply of energy – this is the time to switch on your washing machine or dishwasher and make the most of it!
Many of us will switch on the washing machine or have a shower in the evening, however completing these activities during the day can provide you with big savings.
Don’t switch on all your appliances at once
While it’s important to make the most of the sunshine, we wouldn’t recommend switching on all your appliances at once. If you’re using more energy than your solar panels can provide it’s going to start costing you. Keep an eye on how much energy you’re using and stagger your usage across the day.
Buy a battery to store energy
It can be worth investing in a battery system to store access energy soaked up by the solar panels. This will allow you to rely on your solar panels throughout the day (not just when it’s sunny). However, the cost of energy storage is quite high and will depend on your consumption tariff rate. It’s about weighing up the pros and cons to understand if a battery is suitable for you.
Here at TT Electrical, we are an electrical company, not just a ‘solar panel company’. We do not subcontract our installation of solar panels to other companies, but use our extensive knowledge to install and repair solar panels to the highest of standards. For further information on this service please do get in touch.
This article was written by TT Electrical. TT Electrical have over twenty years of combined professional experience, providing electrical services across Worcestershire. If you’re interested in learning more, please visit our website at www.ttelectrical.net or feel free to contact us at info@ttelectrical.net
We look forward to hearing from you.