Solar Panels

Solar panels convert the energy from the sun into electricity that can be used to heat your home or water.  Currently the technology isn’t available to completely power a home with solar panels.  Solar panels just don’t capture enough energy from the sun to be able to completely power a home or business.

Solar panels are usually installed on a rooftop and collect energy from the sun.  In the northern hemisphere the south side of a home hasthe most sunlight during the daytime.  For this reason it is best if the solar panels are installed on the south facing portion of a roof. 

A disadvantage of solar panels is their appearance.  They are typically rather large and don’t look very pretty.  Although they have improved over the past 25 years or so.  You can buy solar panels at retail home improvement stores and online. 

An advantage of solar panels is you will conserve energy and help preserve the environment by using the renewable energy of the sun. Also there is currently tax credit available for installing solar panels.  You will need to have a professional installer do the installation though to get the tax credits.  A tax credit is better than a tax deduction because the tax credit reduces your total tax burden by the amount of the credit and a deduction just reduces your taxable income.