Do Your Solar Panels Require a Spring Cleaning?

Solar panels and solar energy in general are a great way to get involved in the renewable energy movement, to reduce some of the cost of living in the long run, and most importantly, to help make out planet just a little bit cleaner and better for all life.

However, what deters a lot of people is that they don’t really know much about solar energy and electricity production from solar panels.

One of the most common questions people ask solar energy professionals at Action Air Conditioning, Heating and Solar is how the solar panels are cleaned. Here is what they had to say.

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Do You Need to Clean Your Solar Panels?

Seeing how your solar panels will be outside and exposed to the elements, you would expect them to get very dirty and lose their effectiveness very quickly.

However, that is not always the case. In most situations, solar panels are installed in places where there aren’t any trees which might shed their leaves and obstruct the solar panel.

Other than physical barriers like fallen leaves, the most common thing you can expect to come into contact with your solar panels is rain (and snow, depending on where you live and the time of the year). However, that is just water which can actually help clean your solar panels.

Are There Situations When Your Solar Panel Must Be Cleaned?

In some parts of the country, particularly the desert areas, there might be some more serious dirt and debris on your solar panels. The film of dirt can and does obstruct the effectiveness of the solar panel, which is a clear indication that you should clean your solar panel.

Most solar panel installers agree that the loss due to the dirt probably never exceeds 10% of the effectiveness, but that is still a considerable amount of productivity lost.

How to Clean a Solar Panel

Solar panels are somewhat delicate and should not be handled by non-professionals in most situations. If you are unsure about something with your solar panels, consult your solar installation company for clarification and help.

However, cleaning solar panels is, for the most part, a very simple and short task. Namely, all you are supposed to do is apply copious amounts of water to the panel until it looks clean.

What Not to Do with a Solar Panel

Still, be careful when cleaning your solar panels because improper cleaning might damage them. First and foremost, never use a pressure washer on your solar panels. The pressure of the water may (and probably will) damage the inner workings of the solar panel.

Another thing you don’t want to do is damage the top reflective film of the solar panel. Without this layer, the solar panel loses a large percentage of its effectiveness. This layer can be damaged by something like a hard-bristled brush, so if you really have to use a brush, use one with very soft bristles.

How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Solar Panels?

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the amount of rainfall each year, the surrounding flora, and many others.

The solar installation company which puts up your panels should give you some instructions on how and how often you should clean them.

Most experts agree that a single spring and summer cleanings are enough, whereas the fall typically requires two cleanings in order to keep your photovoltaic system in top form.

Having solar panels installed on your home is the step in the right direction, and keeping those panels in good working order can be as important as installing them in the first place.

3 Important Factors in Building a School

Many people dream of living in the suburbs. Whether it's the quiet streets or the spacious homes, suburbia attracts families. This population influx has a ripple effect, creating a need for additional schools. It's not as easy as throwing up a building. Several factors are important in constructing these institutions.

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Location

 

Elementary school students benefit from a close bond with their peers. Consider building schools in close proximity to the community. Also, if centralized, kids can walk or bike to school, providing a bit of exercise. Financially school districts would save money taking this route, eliminating the need for additional buses. High schools need larger amounts of land. Extracurricular activities and fields are needed as well as additional parking for those teenage drivers. Should high schools be close? Closeness may not be as important as the driving conditions. Placing it an area with developed roads and good lighting are important in helping out the new drivers and easing parent concern.

Design

 

Once the land is acquired, school board members need to devise a functional and safe design. Working with an educational construction company provides an opportunity to brainstorm the best fit for the community needs. Can land be reserved for future expansion? Does the plan include enough space for sporting events, recess and outside activities? Is the school meeting safety codes? Can the school be closed off in the event of an emergency? All of these are important points to take into consideration when meeting with the architects.

Flexibility

 

Curriculum and expectation are ever in flux in education; thus, the building itself needs malleability. Can classrooms be combined by using removable walls? Do the students have outside space for gardening and hands-on activities? Can the cafeteria double as an auditorium? 

As with any form of construction, take the time to think about the community needs now and in the future. That effort now will benefit the area in the long run.

5 Tips For Creating An Eco-Friendly Kitchen

We all know that installing solar panels, reusing plastic bags and cycling to work all contribute to having a positive impact on our carbon footprint, but when it comes to inside our homes, what can we do to save energy or be more environmentally aware?

Kitchens are a room in the home which consume a lot of energy and power from the multiple electric and cooking appliances. As well as this, you should also consider the food waste, cleaning products and materials which we use in the kitchen. Despite all of this, the kitchen is also one of the easiest rooms to make eco-friendly, if you know how.

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Take A Closer Look At Your Appliances

When it comes to buying new kitchen appliances, do some research into whether there are energy efficient models that you can buy instead of regular ones. For example, refrigerators that have a built-in top or bottom freezer are often much more efficient than having two side by side models, as less cold air will escape when you open the door. If you need a new oven, then consider investing in a convection oven, as this type of oven tends to use a fan in order to drive heat from the source to the food, making it cook 25% quicker than conventional ovens.

Even if you do have energy-efficient appliances installed, it is possible that you may still be wasting energy. Cooking or reheating food in the oven uses a lot of energy and, if you have a microwave which you could have used, then it is unnecessary. Even the small things can make a difference, such as using lids on pans when you cook.

Refrigerate Food The Right Way

As well as maintaining the actual function of your refrigerator, the way in which you store food also matters when it comes to using it to the full efficiency. For example, safely allowing hot food to cool before you store it in the fridge prevents it from having to work harder to cool it. You should also cover your food to stop it from releasing moisture into the fridge.

When left uncovered, foods will emit moisture into the air and this means that your fridge will have to work harder to remove it. You should also store food in reusable food container rather than in cling film or foil as this cuts down on your carbon footprint and helps to keep your fridge working at its full potential.

Minimise Any Drafts

As many kitchens are located at the back of the house, they can become cold and drafty. These drafts can have a serious effect on your household bills and energy efficiency and this breeze can find its way into other rooms of your house. If you have a conservatory attached to your kitchen, then this may also cause a draft issue.

There are some simple ways to combat this which will minimise the effects of this chill in your home. Investigate where you are experiencing the drafts as it will more than likely be an exterior wall which is causing the issue. Look for obvious causes, such as vent holes or fan extractors and see if you can add in any extra insulation. When it comes to conservatories, these can be typically much colder in the winter months so adding in soft furnishings, such as rugs or covered furniture or soft covered luxury garden furniture which you can use in both the summer and winter, will absorb some of the chill.

Clean With Natural Cleaning Products

If you take a look, you will find that a large majority of kitchen cleaning products are in plastic bottles and packaging. Choosing natural cleaning products over synthetic ones can be just as powerful without all of the toxins which can have a damaging effect on your health and environment. If you make your own cleaning products, then not only will you cut down on packaging and production waste, but it will be much cheaper in the long run. You may be surprised when you realise just what can double up as a cleaning product which you already have in your cupboards. 

Hiring the Right Electrician

Do you need to have some electrical work done at your home at some point in the future? If this is the case, you need to be sure that the electrician you hire is very skilled. Otherwise, you could be looking at some very serious problems down the road. You will not find any shortage of electricians in your local phone book. This can make the selection process very confusing if you do not know what to look for. You should not be in a rush to hire an electrician. Take the time needed to explore all of your options. Here are the things you need to take into consideration.

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1. Make sure the electrician you hire has a license and insurance coverage.

Some people will hire an electrician without asking to see his license. This is a huge mistake that these people will often regret. You need to see the person's valid license in order to determine if he or she has received the proper training that is required by your state. You should never assume that the electrician you hire has a license. This might not be the case. You should also ask to see the electrician's valid proof of insurance. Make sure that it has not expired. This will cover any damage that might happen while he is working.

2. Get some references from the Better Business Bureau.

You would be wise to see what info the BBB has compiled about all of the electricians who work near your town. You will be able to get a good sense of the quality of work they will perform for you. Make sure you carefully read each profile so you know who you are dealing with. The BBB is a great resource when you are looking for electrical services Richardson.

3. Compare the hourly rates of various electricians.

Not all electricians are going to charge the same thing. You should never assume they will do this. That is why it would be in your best interests to get quotes from several electricians to find out which one of them is the cheapest.