Over the past few years, solar panels and solar technology has become more efficient and much less expensive to install. Because of this, many home owners are considering installing solar panels to reduce their dependence on non-renewable energy and help ease the stress placed on the current power grid.

While many people associate solar power with huge panels which must be placed on the roof and in direct sunlight each day, the truth is that this perception is as old as solar technology itself. Solar panels today are little more than an array of panels which are very discreet. These panels have the ability to convert more energy from less space, which makes them much smaller than previous panels. Of course, there is no way to completely hide solar panels, but because they no longer require the whole roof to be effective, it is much easier to hide them amongst the shingles.

Having a solar array installed in a home is not expensive as many people believe. In fact, 15 states have a public benefit fund which can help subsidize renewable energy programs, such as installing solar panels in a home. In addition to this, 24 states offer up to 70% compensation in the way of tax breaks and refunds for people who make the leap to install solar panels in their homes.

Solar panels today have the capability to produce enough electricity in order to power lights and many electrical appliances in American homes. However, the effectiveness of solar panels always depends on your location. The panels must be installed on whichever side of the house gets more exposure from the sun. This depends on your location in the United States, as southern states get more sun from the north, while northern states get more sun from the south.

In order from a home to benefit from solar panels, it must get at least six hours of steady sunlight year round. Location also plays an important part in just how many panels you’ll need to install in your home to meet your needs. A home in Maine will need many more solar panels than a home in Utah, simply because of location.

It should be noted that the installation of solar panels does not mean your home will be completely off the power grid. Many homes with a solar installation also use grid power to help run their appliances. While this doesn’t completely cut the dependence on fossil fuels, it does make it much easier to conserve energy without having to make changes in your appliance usage.

While solar panels are a great way to conserve energy, they will never be able to solve all the energy problems for homes due to many of the factors listed here. However, they do work well to make your home more energy-efficient and by installing only Energy Star rated appliances in your home, you can reduce your dependence on grid power and do your part to save the environment.

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