Want to reduce your electric bill? Here’s how to go solar-powered in your home

As recently as the 2000s, solar-powered homes were a rare thing to see. But with tax incentives motivating homeowners and increasing fears about climate change, more people have gone solar, and solar panels have become a common sight on the tops of homes around the country. Installing solar panels is a great way to live a little greener, as they can decrease the carbon footprint of your household by about 35,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. In addition to going green, there are also many other benefits of solar panels, such as reducing your energy bill and earning tax credits. But the prospect can be a little daunting, what with all the technical jargon, the installation process, and the different panel types to choose from. But once you break the whole thing down into steps, it will feel a lot more manageable. Here’s a guide on how to go solar-powered in your home.

Understand how it works

The first thing to do before you go through the process of going solar is to understand just exactly what a solar-powered home entails. Solar panels are photovoltaic cells that harness the power of sunlight and transform it into energy. The panels then send the energy into an inverter, which converts the sunlight into electricity which can power your house. And yes, even those who live in cloudy areas can benefit from solar panels, as these panels will continue drawing energy from indirect sunlight even when the skies are cloudy. Do additional research on your own to understand solar power more deeply, and talk to friends and neighbors who have gone solar. Read more…