Solar panels were first invented as far back as 1954! However, it has only been in the last ten-fifteen years that solar panels for individual properties have become a popular and practical choice.
It is now a common house to see houses and farm buildings covered in solar panels, potentially saving themselves a small fortune.
But, although the price of solar panels is coming down, and has been since they first arrived on the scene, it is still not a cheap option.
The average number of solar panels needed to power a house is 15-18, which remains a significant investment.
Of course, while that allows you to generate electricity from the sun, you still need a transformer to convert this to usable current.
Alongside this, if you want electrical independence you need to come off the grid, which means investing in a battery bank to store the electricity, giving you what you need to run appliances at night. This all adds to the initial outlay.
In Order to Gain Energy Independence in your Home you Need to Consider Several Factors:
The Cost
As mentioned, you are going to need approximately 15 solar panels, which is going to set you back a few thousand dollars.
When purchasing the solar panels and accessories you need to consider how long they are designed to last, whether they have a warranty, and what other equipment you need to get your system up and working.
The good news is that solar panels are designed to last for 25 years or more and you can get a reputable professional to do solar panel repairs for you.
While the cost of the system is offset against future bills, you need to find the money to get started.
Usage
Perhaps the real key to energy independence is actually to establish how many panels you need to match your energy usage.
More importantly, you should be looking at your current energy usage to see where you can reduce it.
In short, the most effective way to become energy independent is to learn how to use less electricity.
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Off the Grid
It is important to understand that energy independence generally means going off-grid.
Instead of hooking your electrical supply to the main grid and selling excess to them, you save excess in your own batteries and never use electricity from the main grid.
This puts you in a better position when dealing with power outages and natural disasters.
Quality First
When you start looking into solar panels you will find there are an array of different ones offered on the market.
While purchasing the cheapest can save you money in the short term, the real goal is to choose the highest-quality solar panels.
This will ensure your solar panels last for years, helping you to become energy independent and reaping the benefits of your investment.
Of course, eventually, the panels will need to be replaced, you will need to keep that thought in the back of your head!
