Understanding the legalities surrounding Sell My Structured Settlement payment rights is essential before selling them. The process should not be viewed as a pawnshop. This will lead to a loss of security for your structured settlement. Do your research to find the best price and compare offers from multiple sellers.
We Pay More Funding allows clients to get a structured settlement buyerout approved
We Pay More Funding works with clients to help them sell their structured settlements. We Pay More Funding is a network of companies that aims to make structured settlement buying easier and to get clients the money quickly. This service is open to both individuals as well as businesses.
You should remember that your financial situation and career will change as your children become adults and your family grows. Your periodic structured settlement payments may eventually become worthless and obsolete. You might also discover a great opportunity that allows for you to pursue other goals.
Research is key before you make a decision on a structured settlement buyout firm. It is not easy to find a legitimate company. You can look online for reviews and talk to friends who have been in similar situations. Check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints. You should also ensure that all deals you sign are in writing. You should not rely solely on telephone conversations to reach a structured settlement buying company. Instead, it is better to have a written agreement.
Roth IRA, a type American individual retirement account that allows for tax-free withdrawals, is a form of Roth IRA. However, tax-free distributions are subject to certain conditions. This article will cover the requirements for contributions and withdrawal taxes, as well as penalties for early withdrawal.
Contributions to a Roth IRA
Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible. However, qualified withdrawals will be exempt from federal taxes once you reach the age 59 1/2. If you are not yet in the bracket, it may be a good idea to wait until you reach 59 1/2 before withdrawing. You can consult a tax professional to help you decide whether or not to make this withdrawal.
A Roth IRA contribution can only be made if you have taxable income. This account isn’t available to people who have inherited IRAs. Traditional IRA contributions are exempt from tax if made with pre-tax money.
How to convert a traditional IRA from a Roth IRA
It is relatively easy to convert a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. First, it is important to know that your traditional IRA must be converted within two years. You can make contributions to your traditional IRA through the conversion process until you file your tax return.
Calculating the time it takes to convert funds starts at the beginning of the calendar year when you do the conversion. This means that if funds are converted from a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA by Dec 31, 2021, there will be four years before the money is needed again. You’ll pay taxes when you withdraw funds from a traditional IRA. Roth accounts are exempt from tax when you open them. This means that you won’t have to pay any taxes on your earnings or withdrawals.
If you’re looking for an IT services Portland Maine company, there are several good choices. Consider Assured Technology Solutions, Convergence Networks, and Computers Made Easy. They’ll provide you with the services you need. And they offer cost-effective solutions. Spectrum also offers enterprise network services.
Assured Technology Solutions
Assured Technology Solutions provides a range of IT services, including managed IT services, consulting, data security, and data backup. They also follow-up on service agreements and warranties. Their team is extremely responsive and thorough, and provides expert guidance to ensure that your computer system is functioning optimally. The results of their work will exceed your expectations.
The company’s IT services in Portland Maine are customized and designed to meet the individual needs of clients. Their approach is focused on providing customized, end-to-end solutions that maximize efficiency and productivity. They leverage their Thrive5 Methodology to ensure clients get a customized solution for their needs. They also offer advanced security, governance, and compliance services.
Convergence Networks
With Convergence Networks IT services in Maine, you’ll be able to access the best in managed IT services and security solutions. As one of North America’s leading managed services and security providers, they’ll prepare you for the increasingly complex environment in which users access data on a variety of applications and devices. Using an identity-driven security strategy, they’ll protect your data wherever it goes.
Convergence Networks and Grade A have merged their IT consulting companies to form one larger company. While the details of the deal haven’t been disclosed, the companies hope to use the merger to expand their business into the U.S. market. The new combined company will be majority owned by Boston-based private equity firm Riverside Partners. The combined company will keep its two Portland Maine offices, while Grade A’s founders will remain in Ottawa to lead its operations.
Convergence Networks offers managed services, IT consulting, and security solutions for companies in Portland Maine. These services include securing data and protecting data assets. The company’s managed services solutions make use of top trending APIs and technologies.
Computers Made Easy
Whether you are looking for help with your computer or need a new computer, Computers Made Easy can help. The company was established in 1996 and employs four people. The company specializes in computer repair and IT services. The business is located in Portland, Maine. Despite its small size, Computers Made Easy has a great reputation in the area.
SymQuest
SymQuest is an award-winning provider of managed IT services located in Westbrook, Maine, just 20 minutes from Portland. The company specializes in designing and installing business technology, as well as managing and maintaining it. It serves various types of businesses in the region, including retail stores, restaurants, medical offices, and other organizations.
SymQuest IT services Portland Maine provides award-winning managed IT services to businesses, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Services range from cybersecurity, cloud computing, network infrastructure, and commercial security systems to managed voice and data services. The company’s highly trained technicians are ready to provide customized solutions for your business’s technology needs.
There are four kinds of burglaries at home that are typical such as forcible entry and unlawful entry and attempted forcible entry and the theft of vehicles.
Forced Entry occurs when the burglar gains entry to your home through forceful cutting through a window or door. The most frequent type of burglary , but it could be the most risky since the burglar has access to the entire house and could be able to confront you and your family members.
Unlawful Entry: Illegal entry occurs when a burglar gets into your house without trying to gain entry. It could be done by picking a lock using credit cards to slide into doors, or by using an entry key that opens the door. Illegal entry is more rare than forced entry, but it is still a risk because the burglar is still able to gain access to your home in totality.
Attempted Forcible Entry: A tried forcible entry occurs when a burglar attempts to enter your home , but fails. It could be that they could not get through windows or doors or because they were afraid of the alarm. The idea of forcible entry is more uncommon than forcible entry, however it can be risky because it indicates that the burglar has the intention to attempt to gain entry into your house.
Theft from a vehicle Theft from a Vehicle is when a burglar enters your vehicle to steal valuable items from it. This is not the most common kind of burglary, but it can be a risk due to the burglar
How to safeguard your home from fires
One of the most effective ways to guard your house from burning is to put in the wireless security system. These security devices are created to identify and notify to you about any fires that could be brewing within your house. They also assist you to stop flames through providing live information on the exact location and extent that the flame is causing.
If you’re considering the wireless security system you want that is suitable for the home you live in, make certain to choose an option that’s UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified. UL certification assures that the system is in compliance with the strict standards of safety and has been thoroughly tested and confirmed by a third party.
Alongside the installation of the Vivint security system wirelessly in your home, there are additional steps you can take to safeguard your home from fires:
Install smoke detectors on each surface of your house as well as outside your sleeping areas. Examine them regularly and change the batteries at least every year.
Create and practice your home’s fire escape plan with the entire household. Make sure you have two escape routes from each room in the event that one gets prevented by smoke or fire.
Storage of flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil as well as cleaners, in containers fitted with lids that fit tightly in a ventilated space that is away from heat sources like stoves, water heaters, as well as furnaces.
Conclusion
Installing wireless security systems is among the most effective methods to secure your home. The systems are easy to set up and are modified to suit your specific requirements. With wireless security you’ll be able to feel secure knowing the security of your house is secured even when you’re not in the area.
There are three kinds that wireless security home systems can be found for homes:
1. Systems that are monitored The systems are monitored by companies all hours of the day, and send fire or police personnel when an alarm is set off.
2. Unmonitored systems – These are systems that don’t have monitoring by an organization but they can still sound an alarm if they are activated.
3. Self-monitored systems devices are controlled by homeowners through the mobile app or other kind of device for monitoring.
The monitored systems are the most costly however they provide the most security as a person is always watching over your property. The systems that aren’t monitored are more affordable however you’re relying upon your neighbours to notify authorities in the event that they detect an alarm. The cost of a self-monitored system can differ according to how you configure it and it also gives you the greatest control over how and when the system is utilized.
Different types of common Home Burglaries
There are four kinds of burglaries at home that are typical that are forcible entry, illegal entry and attempted forcible entry and the theft of the vehicle.
Forcible Entry: Forced entry occurs when the burglar gains entry to your house by smashing through a window or door. It is by far the most typical kind of burglary, and it can be the most hazardous since the burglar has access to the entire house and could be able to confront you and your family members.
Unlawful Entry: Illegal entry occurs when a burglar breaks into your home and does not trying to gain entry. It could be done by picking a lock using credit cards to slide through doors, or by using an entry key that opens the door. Illegal entry is more rare than forced entry, however it could still be risky as the burglar is still able to gain access to the entire house.
Attempted forcible entry: An attempt at forcible entry happens when a burglar attempts to enter your home , but fails. It could be that they could not get through windows or doors or because they were intimidated by the alarm. The idea of forcible entry is more uncommon than forcible entry, however it can be risky because it indicates that the burglar has the intention to attempt to gain entry into your house.
Theft from a vehicle Theft from a Vehicle is when a burglar breaks into your vehicle to steal things from it. It is the least frequent type of burglary , however it could be a risk due to the burglar
How to safeguard your home from fires
One of the most effective methods to safeguard the home against fire is to put in the wireless security system. vivint security system that are wireless have been created to alert to you about any fires that could be brewing within your house. They also assist you to stop flames through providing immediate information on the location and the severity that the flame is causing.
If you’re considering an wireless security system to secure your house, make certain to choose the one with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified. UL certification assures that the system is in compliance with the strict standards of safety and has been thoroughly tested and confirmed by a third party.
Alongside the installation of the security system wirelessly There are a variety of additional steps you can take to safeguard your home from fires:
Install smoke detectors at every surface of your house and in all sleeping areas. Examine them regularly and change the batteries every once each year.
Create and implement your home’s fire escape plan for all members of your household. Include two exits from each room in the event that one gets closed by smoke or fire.
– Store liquids that are flammable like gasoline, oils as well as cleaners, in containers fitted with lids that fit tightly in a ventilated space away from sources of heat like stoves, furnaces, and water heaters.
Conclusion
Installing wireless security systems is among the most effective ways to safeguard your home. They are simple to set up and can be modified to suit your specific requirements. With viviant wireless security you’ll be able to be assured the security of your house is protected even when you’re in the area.
A coat of paint can make a globe of difference on the interior or outside of your house. However, a paint job can disappoint your assumptions if your professional lacks competence as well as commitment to high quality. You may not recognize till later on that the paint is fracturing, the shade is wrong, or the service provider did not use the proper kind of paint.
Prevent an unpleasant or costly painting failure by using these ideas to discover the very best Johnstown House painter
Exactly how do you discriminate between the excellent service provider for you as well as one that will leave you with buyer’s regret? The expert painters at 518Renovations desire you to make the very best option for your next paint task. If you are in the New York City area, we wish you to pick our paint solutions. Whichever professional you choose, we really hope these pointers aid you to determine.
1: Try To Find Impressive Paint Jobs in Your Location
House painters will certainly often leave a sign with their business name and phone number in the yard while working with a paint job. If you see a paint task that stands apart for its shade as well as quality, jot down the number to make sure that you can provide a telephone call.
2: Get Referrals from Your Neighborhood Organizations
Regional area teams as well as homeowners’ associations frequently recognize the best exterior and interior home painters in your location. They can aid you find the very best household painting business and advise you about home painters in your area to avoid.
3: Check with the BBB(Better Business Bureau)
Several regional organizations will have an account with the BBB. Established contractors with a couple of or no complaints as well as A or A+ rankings from the BBB are great options for home painting jobs.
4: Focus on Certified and Insured Painting Contractors
Ask specialists for their license and also evidence of insurance coverage. New York City, Long Island, and other parts of the state require home improvement contractors to have a license. Specialists, consisting of residence painters, ought to have insurance coverage in case anyone suffers an injury during the paint work.
5: View Profiles and also Galleries on Service Provider Websites
Certain as well as successful painters need to be proud of the work they do. Check out the specialist’s internet site as well as social media pages and also look for pictures of their job. Check whether their profile consists of paint jobs comparable to the task you desire.
6: Talk to the Specialist Regarding Your Needs
Neighbors, sites, and also endorsements can tell you whether a painter has a good credibility. Nonetheless, speaking with professionals will certainly aid you find the most effective property paint firm for you. An appointment will certainly give you a common sense of their communication style, readiness degree, and also attention to detail.
Inform the painter how you desire your completed paint task to look. Does the painter cut to the chase quickly and even try to push you to pick particular paint brands as soon as possible? Do they require time to listen to you as well as ask questions regarding your preference for shades as well as appearances?
If a painter recommends a specific brand name or finishes, ask why they believe the brand will certainly be the appropriate one for you. Prevent the specialist if they appear evasive, defensive, or unable to respond to concerns plainly and also to your satisfaction.
So, what’s the decision? To texture or not to appearance? That is the inquiry. Ultimately, the decision comes down to individual preference and also what look you’re attempting to attain.
Ask the professional regarding their warranty and if they have a customer complete satisfaction assurance. Be sure you have a means to get in touch with the professional if any problems arise.
Obtain a clear timeline for the project as well as ask them what their policy is if they fall back on the timetable. Ensure they will not leave you with a half-painted house if another job comes.
Finally, ask for a totally free estimate. Specialists must be upfront regarding their rates and clear about any type of chance that the cost will go up by the end of the job.
Whether you require interior painting or outside paint, 518Renovations is right here for you. See our website to see pictures of our job and review reviews from our several satisfied clients. We additionally use staining and redecorating solutions, plastering, and industrial interior painting. Call us for a cost-free quote.
If you want to sell your mortgage note, you have a few options. You can sell your note in parts, or you can sell the whole note in full. If you choose to sell your mortgage note in full, you must find a reliable buyer. You can find a buyer by looking at the credit rating of the buyer.
Partially selling a mortgage note
Selling a mortgage note partially is a way to sell the loan while maintaining a part of the mortgage. A partial sale transfers legal ownership of a mortgage note to another person, and that person will be the one responsible for receiving the payments from the borrower for a defined amount of time. This type of sale allows the seller to defer the cash flow necessary for business expansion while allowing them to keep some of the mortgage payments.
In addition to the benefits of selling a mortgage note partially, you can also sell a mortgage note at a discount if you have trouble selling it at its full value. If you choose to sell part of your note, you will avoid paying capital gains taxes. Plus, it’s easier to find a mortgage note buyer when you have only part of the note to sell.
Depending on your situation, there are a few different types of partial note sales. Partial note sales offer a great solution for many situations. In many cases, the note buyer will only purchase part of the note and will not purchase the entire note. This solution allows the note seller to take a substantial discount while keeping a portion of the note. A partial note sale can take many forms, but the most common one involves selling the near-term payments and receiving the rest at a later date.
Full sale means selling the entire note
The term “full sale” refers to selling the entire mortgage note to the note buyer. This means the note buyer will take on all future payments from you and assume the risks associated with it. However, there are factors to consider before selling your mortgage note. Using a home equity loan broker can help you determine the value of your note.
Seller financing method
If you have an outstanding mortgage note, you might be interested in selling it through seller financing. This method is used when a buyer cannot qualify for a mortgage loan or doesn’t have a good credit score. The buyer pays a small down payment and the seller then repays the buyer in installments. In this way, you are able to get rid of your note in a shorter period of time.
When you choose to sell your mortgage note this way, you should consider the pros and cons of each option. The first advantage is that you may be able to sell the note for more money than you originally thought. The downside is that there are some risks and red tape to be aware of. For this reason, you should always check with a qualified professional before signing any contract.
Another benefit of seller financing is that the buyer does not have to wait a month or two for the bank to approve the loan. In most cases, the seller will finance up to 1/3 or two-thirds of the sale price, but you can often finance up to 2/3 of the purchase price. Interest rates are usually lower than those offered by a bank, and the term of the loan is similar to the bank’s.
Choosing a reliable buyer
When it comes to selling a mortgage note, it’s important to find a reliable buyer. You should be able to contact the buyer with ease, and you should be able to trust their honesty and integrity. There are many buyers out there, so it’s best to conduct some research to find the best one for your situation. You can check the websites of prospects and reputable third-party review sites to find out more about them. It also helps to seek referrals from your professional network.
First, choose a note buyer with experience in purchasing mortgage notes. Make sure that they are licensed in your state, and meet all other requirements of the real estate industry. Also, choose a note buyer with a proven track record and a good reputation. This way, you can be sure that you will receive the best value for your note.
Finding a reputable buyer when selling a mortgage note can be a difficult process. Whether you are considering a private company or a network of real estate investors, it’s important to choose someone with an impeccable reputation for selling mortgage notes. In addition to being licensed and reputable, a mortgage note buyer should also pass a verification process with the local government agency.
We regularly field inquiries from start-ups as well as established organisations that believe they have an application that can become the next Venmo. Venmo permits person to person or P2P payments. The start-up intends to replicate the easy moving of cash using Top ACH Payment Processing. Lot of times we listen to the concept and state “That is a wonderful concept”.
The problem is what follows which 95% of these ideas are looking to relocate money in between individual bank accounts.
It’s very easy to think that there is a present payment technology that can straight relocate money from individual 1 to person 2. As an example debit Sue Jones $25 and credit scores Bob Smith the $25.
For numerous factors including settlement danger as well as money laundering problems this direct P2P settlement capability does not exist.
There is a third party entity [3rd Party Processor neither TPP] that has to debit Sue and after that fund Bob. The debit to Sue is attributed to the TPP’s checking account and then the TPP issues a credit to Bob’s checking account.
So notably the TPP seizes funds that are in turn indicated for another entity. The possession of those funds, despite for how long, is the substantial issue.
It has to do with being identified as a Cash Transmitter or Money Service Company. This kind of service category means governmental organization scrutiny and obviously significant expenditure in addition to time. We are chatting about possible years of time and also millions of bucks. A lot of these demands center around cash laundering (Info at FINCEN and FINRA )
Almost all of the businesses we speak with have not considered the effects of possessing the dollars or they are wishing a financial partner will take action and also do the dirty work.
There are nevertheless systems that have the payment solution suggestion and have some idea about the surrounding complexities. So exists a means to actually solve this issue? The solution is complex.
Solutions range from partnering with a participating financial institution and layering ACH API innovation over the bank’s handling engine to leveraging an existing organization’s MTL or MSB license to collaborating with brand-new modern technology platforms that cater to this need.
Every one of these involve time and obviously money. If your start-up can not afford several hundreds of bucks monthly or added handling prices [markup] it is extremely not likely your P2P app can take off. ACH Processing is an affordable, trusted rail for moving money yet there are policies around use. Contact us for more details
If you did actually get to market it would certainly be hard to compete directly with Venmo. You would certainly require to have a niche with a BIG problem or produce a wallet with some sort of special rewards system to encourage adoption.
If you’ve ever wanted to avoid corporate banks and get a personalized experience from a member-owned financial institution, consider going to a credit union. These institutions have a social mission, and they strive to make decisions that benefit their members. They offer sound financial advice and the latest technology.
Credit unions in Parker have lower fees, and their savings accounts are often more competitive. They don’t have shareholders, so they’re able to offer better rates to members. That means you can enjoy a more personalized experience and better customer service from your local credit union. And because credit unions are owned by their members, you can rest assured that your money will be safe and sound.
While credit unions can be a great alternative to big corporate banks, they’re not for everyone. If you’re just looking for a simple checking account and an account for transferring funds, you’re better off going with a bigger bank. These financial institutions often have more personalized service, lower fees, and more personal connections to their members.
Another reason to consider going to a credit union is the fact that most credit unions are not for-profit. This means that they can focus their resources on improving services for their members, and they’re not obliged to pay their profits to shareholders. Because of this, credit unions can pass on the savings to their members, and pass on lower APRs on loans and savings accounts. Many credit unions also offer counseling services, which can help you reach your financial goals.
Another great reason to use a credit union is because it supports the local economy. In Seattle, for example, the City Council has voted to divest from Wells Fargo Bank, which backed the Dakota Access Pipeline. As the 18th largest city in the U.S., this move is a good investment in your local economy and keeps your hard-earned dollars out of the hands of corporations.
A credit union is a nonprofit financial institution owned by its members. It offers a wide variety of financial products to its members and is managed by a board of directors elected by its members. Unlike traditional banks, credit unions are member-owned and have no shareholders. Because of this, the profits are returned to its members, who are also its customers.
As a member-owned financial institution, credit unions offer checking and savings accounts, loans, and investment accounts, financial advice, and more. Credit unions have lower fees and interest rates and are also open to anyone. However, many consumers are unaware that credit unions are not insured. And most people are under the mistaken impression that they need to join the military or a government organization in order to get a credit union account.
Have you ever wondered which size to buy? Pillow sizing can seem daunting, but we’re here to demystify it. Pillows vary in size and shape to suit personal taste. Different pillow sizes offer more comfort by varying the fill. They fit different beds and pillow cases. Choosing a pillow is simple. With a few tips, you’ll always pick the right size. If you need the perfect bed pillow to match your sleeping habits and positioning, visit Icon Sleep.
1. Know pillow sizes for a comfy bed
Pillow sizes usually match bed sizes. The Super Standard, also called Standard/Queen or Jumbo, gives retailers a size between small and medium so they can carry more pillow styles. Our Pillow Sizes Chart shows the most common sizes for each type of pillow, but sizes can vary so check the size if you need something specific.
2. Match pillows to bed size or be creative
It may seem simple to buy a king pillow for a king bed, but you can use any size pillow. Match pillow size to bed size, but then get creative. There are fewer options for a Queen or Full bed, but there are hundreds of pillow combinations. Here are a few classics to get you started:
3. Do pillow case sizes matter?
Standard and King pillow cases exist. Standard size fits Standard, Super Standard, and Queen. Fortunately, sheet manufacturers accommodate manufacturer variations when sizing their cases and err on the larger side, so our worst case scenario is the pillow case will have more room than less.
Hint:
Buy a larger pillow case if you want your pillow to fluff and conform, especially if it’s gusseted.
When you want to keep a pillow’s volume and height or revive an old one, go smaller.
For extra height and volume, tuck the pillow case ends in tightly.
4. Conform to comfort
Some sleepers – usually side and stomach sleepers – mold and squish their pillow several times a night so it conforms to their head. These sleepers prefer a Standard or Super Standard size pillow over a King or Queen.
Some sleepers use a pillow to block out light and noise. These sleepers need a light, conforming pillow, not a king or queen size. A pillow with all-down or down alternative fill (one being retired) would work well.
5. Other bedpillow dimensions matter
Standard pillow size is what we recommend first for sleeping. Long pillows can migrate fill to the ends more easily and are less squishable due to their volume. Some sleepers like a short, compact pillow. These sizes save money, so those with no preference may choose them.
The Queen pillow is a good choice for someone who tosses and turns because it gives you lots of headroom. A large pillow can add a luxurious, retreat-like feel to your bedroom.
King pillows were designed for the extra width of a King or California King bed but are great for a twin bed if your sleeper tosses and turns. They’re great for reading or using a laptop in bed. A king pillow works as a body pillow.
Euro Size: With so many Euro Square pillow sizes, it’s easy to decorate your bed. They’re used for decor and reading pillows (whether we are reading a book or like to bring the laptop to bed). In Germany and Holland, the 26″ square is also used as a pillow. When traveling, you may need a new-sized pillow.
Pillow Sizes: For a designer look, use a larger size for reading pillows (king, queen, or euro) and a smaller size for sleeping. This fills your pillow needs and allows fun color and pattern combinations in shams and bed pillow cases.
Wealth Management Experts offer services to high-net-worth individuals. They can help reduce taxes, protect assets from loss and plan for a smoother transfer of wealth to family members. These services don’t come cheap, but can ensure that the wealthy are making the best use of their wealth. Here are some things to consider when choosing one.
Qualifications
In addition to having strong business and communication skills, wealth management experts should have a good understanding of the financial markets. Some firms prefer to hire a wealth manager who has earned a degree from a top university. In addition, wealth managers should be able to use technology to maximize their abilities. They should be familiar with accounting software and stock market applications. They should also have a good grasp of a foreign language.
A good program will emphasize problem-solving skills and practical application. It will also feature faculty members who are already well-established in the industry. Moreover, the program will have an on-demand component. This is an advantage for working professionals who have to juggle their schedules with classes and assignments.
A CPWA certification can be a valuable asset for a wealth management professional. It will give them critical technical and applied knowledge needed to serve clients better.
Hourly Rates
There are a variety of hourly rates for wealth management experts. Some charge a fixed monthly or annual fee, while others charge an hourly rate based on the size of your account. Most financial planners charge anywhere from $200 to $400 an hour. In addition, many offer a variety of services for a flat fee.
Areas of specialization
As a wealth management expert, you may specialize in one of several areas. For example, you may be interested in tax planning for retirees, or you may focus on small businesses. The choices are virtually limitless, as long as you focus on what you do best. The key to success is knowing your niche and offering specialized services to your clients.
Wealth management experts may specialize in various areas, including estate planning, income tax planning, and social security benefits. In addition, some may focus on trust management, insurance, and overall estate planning. Regardless of their role, wealth managers work for both large and small financial firms. While their titles may vary, the services they provide clients are typically the same.
Another common specialization for wealth management experts is analyzing investment data. Analysts study global economics, company and country statistics, and other data in order to offer advice on how to make sound investment decisions. They may also specialize in different asset classes, such as equity, fixed income, foreign exchange, and treasury.
Are solar panels only useful in the summer? As a leading installer of solar panel systems all over Scotland, this is a question that we hear on a very regular basis.
It is an understandable concern. As skies darker, days shorten, and inclement weather becomes all too common, it is hard to believe that something which relies upon the light of the sun could be cost-effective for more than a few months each year.
However, the fact is that it is a complete misconception that solar panels do not work during the winter.
The UK, which has a much cloudier and more temperate climate, produces solar panel efficiency levels on par with warmer countries such as France and Spain, and colder northern countries such as Germany produce well over 5% of their energy from solar sources alone.
How then, is this possible? Well, it all comes down to the way in which solar cells work as they are affected by seasonal weather changes a lot differently to what many people believe.
How do solar panels work?
The key to understanding why solar panels can still be cost-effective during the winter is in understanding exactly how they work.
Solar panels are constructed from photovoltaic (PV) cells, special units that are usually made out of silicon.
These PV cells contain electrons which become energised when impacted open by photons, otherwise known as light particles.
This energy is then converted into electrical energy within the panel itself that can be used to power your home.
Does cold matter?
As demonstrated above, it is photons, and not heat, which makes a solar panel function.
This means that there is just as much potential for energy production from sunlight in freezing temperatures as there is during a heatwave.
In fact, your solar panels will likely become even more efficient on a cold day as like the majority of other electrical appliances, solar cells actually operate best in colder conditions.
Contrary to what most people would imagine, extremely hot weather will actually harm the efficiency of solar panels, as the energy difference between the photons and electrons will be much smaller.
The ideal conditions for solar energy production are when the difference in energy between the photons and electrons are at their greatest, and this is most often the case on a cold but sunny day with few or no clouds.
The short answer, explained in rather more complex terms above is that no, the cold does not harm the efficiency of solar panels.
What about the weather?
Ok, so sure, a cold sunny day is perfect for solar panels but how many of them do we get in a Scottish winter?
The real concern about solar panel ownership during the winter is the snow, rain, and clouds that fill the void between us and the sun.
Snow
Snow is possibly the only weather condition that can completely stop the production of energy by your solar panels.
If enough snow settles on the surface of a panel the sun’s rays will be unable to reach the solar cells beneath until it is cleared or melts away.
Luckily the smooth surface of an angled solar panel is not particularly prone to holding snow for a prolonged period and even the smallest increase in temperature will likely see the snow slide off.
This process will be sped up even further by the fact that for maximum performance solar panels will be installed facing the sun so the snow nearby will be the first to melt.
Rain and cloud
Overcast conditions will result in a significant drop in solar panel performance but as long as there is light, your panels will continue to produce energy.
It is estimated that on a cloudy day solar panels tend to produce around 10-25% of what they would on a clear day.
Rain, on the other hand, has no negative effect on solar panels besides the act that it is accompanied by clouds, and can even help to improve performance by washing away the dirt and debris that has accumulated over time.
Shorter Days
Many people point to the shorter daylight hours that we get here in Scotland as a reason that solar panels may not be a worthwhile investment but in contrast we are also blessed with much longer daylight hours in the summer than many other countries.
This means that although you may indeed see lower production from you solar panels in the winter, although there will still be a significant amount, the excellent performance in the summer alone is enough to make them a sound financial investment.
For more information on solar panel installation, or to arrange a free home suitability survey, get in touch with Greener Energy Group today and our expert team will be delighted to help.
