After you have made the decision that you want to install solar cells on your home, you need to find a reliable company to purchase them from and to set up them. But how do you know who to choose? Here are some tips to help you decide.

1. Experience Counts.
If you are fortunate enough to live in an district where solar panel installation has been ongoing, you may be able to find a company which has been in business for 2 or 3 decades. If so, they should be able to provide plenty of references for you to call. It will also be easy to check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if they have a spotless record.

2. What Do They Recommend?
Ask them about the equipment they suggest, and do some research on the internet to find some reviews of the manufacturers. Find out what kinds of warranties the equipments comes with. Also, find out what kinds of warranties the contractor offers on labor and workmanship. It is common to find ten year warranties on the solar power panels, and three to 10 year warranties on pumps, inverters and controls. Workmanship should have at least a one year warranty.

3. Off-Grid or On-Grid Systems
Some installers have know-how only in off-grid systems, and you may be uneasy about them working on your system if it will be tied to the grid. It is true that there are distinct differences between installing the two systems. But off grid-systems are much more complex than grid-tied-systems. An off-grid installer will most likely be quite capable of connecting your system to the local electricity company, especially since he or she will be monitored by the local building inspectors.

4. Professional Membership
Membership in a professional organization for alternative energy vendors might be another indicator of professionalism. But find out first what the requirements are to join the association before you decide to be impressed. Memberships are voluntary, and some only require paying a fee. Other organizations (like the Solar Energies Industries Association) require ongoing instruction and field experience in order to qualify for membership.

5. Word Of Month Recommendations
The top recommendation is always word of mouth from a trusted source. If you know someone who has recently had solar power panels installed, ask them if they would refer the company they used. You can also ask a local real estate agent. They usually know the responsible installers in town.

If you are worried that installing solar photovoltaic panels on your home will result in time consuming, costly and complicated maintenance, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Most solar panels used for residential systems are made of solar photovoltaic cells encapsulated in thick glass, mounted onto metal racks. Since they have no moving parts, once they are installed they require minimal maintenance.

Of course, this may depend on where you live, what kinds of weather conditions are typical for your area and whether or not you have a lot of trees in your yard. For instance, if you live in a area where there is a lot of snow in the winter, you may have to spend some time after a heavy blizzard cleaning off the solar panels so the sun can reach them. Or if you live in an area that has regular dust storms, or an urban district where there is a lot of dirt in the air, you may have to clean off the glass cells periodically to maximize their efficiency. But if it rains repeatedly enough, that should be adequate to keep your solar panels clean enough to function properly.

If there are a lot of deciduous trees in your yard that shed their leaves every autumn, you may need to make sure that those leaves don’t cover up your solar power panels. Even evergreen trees will shed their needles and may require a periodic clean up. But a quick swipe with a broom should do the trick.

Of course, the solar panels are not the only components in the system. If you have an off grid system, it will include power storage batteries and perhaps a back up generator. These components will require more monitoring and continuing maintenance than the solar power panels themselves. It’s always a good idea to arrange for regular inspections to make sure that your entire solar electricity system is running properly.

If your solar power panels are tied to the grid, you will still have an inverter as part of your system. It converts the electricity that your solar panels generate into alternating current that your appliances can use. Even though it has no mechanical parts, it is an essential component and should be frequently inspected.

Have you ever looked at just how much waste your family creates in a one week period? Manufacturers consume so much packaging that it is easy for a family of 4 to have more than a few bags of trash come garbage day. Next time you’re thinking of throwing something out, try as well as think of ways you can reuse it instead. For instance old containers can be used for storage, stained clothing can be used as rags for clean-up in addition to broken hockey sticks make good garden stakes. If you see creative you may be surprised how numerous new uses you can obtain for items you thought were waste!

As a replacement for of throwing out items you don’t make use of anymore, give them to charity. Old clothing, shoes, home décor items, sporting goods and toys are all gladly accepted by charities such as the Salvation Army. You’ll have less clutter in your garage as well as your contribution will help families in need.