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Solar technology has advanced a lot over the last few years. There are now new types of cell and panel which are much more efficient. The cost of manufacturing has come down and it is now a better time to invest in some solar panels for your home. It is important for all of us to find a cheap energy supply as prices rise and global warming increases the imperative for clean energy.

When you start looking into the different types of solar energy you will see that the systems broadly fall into two categories. You will have to choose whether to install a system to heat water or generate electricity. There are advantages to each type of system.

The cheaper option is solar heating panels which just heat water. They cannot be used for central heating or electricity generation. The system works by changing radiation from the sun into heat. It does not, therefore need direct sunlight to work and can even work on cloudy days. The household water will be heated by the panels during the day and switch to the boiler at night. The saving from this type of system is thought to be around fifteen percent of energy costs.

Reducing your bills more requires a bigger investment in solar panels with photovoltaic cells which might save you around thirty percent of energy costs. You will need a larger space on the roof as they are bigger than heating panels. It is possible to have the main system and some panels fitted and add panels at a later time. There are currently Government grants available in many countries to help with the investment. A big advantage with this system is that any extra power generated can be sold to your local power company.

Technology for solar power is changing all the time. For example, there are new innovations which make them more efficient and able to function with less sunlight. Solar heating panels can be made with evacuated tubes which collect the heat. There are now models made specifically for colder climates which are insulated to stop heat loss.

Photovoltaic panels are now available with three different types of cell. Each new type has become more efficient at generating electricity. Monocrystalline cells are the most efficient with a rating of about fifteen to twenty percent efficiency. However they are of course the most expensive to manufacture and therefore buy.

Once you have decided which type of cell to install then you should work out how much power you want the system to provide based on your usage. Then you have to calculate how many panels using the output figure for each. This figure is called the peak power rating and is derived from a standardized test so that you can work out what to expect from your system.

This is a good time to invest in solar energy for many reasons. There are lots of options available when choosing solar panels for your home so you should be prepared to spend some time considering and looking around before you decide.

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