What You Should Consider Before Installing Solar Panels

Installing solar panels is an excellent way to invest in your home. Excess energy created by your system can pay a percentage back to your future savings. Solar power technology has seen unbelievable progress in recent years, and many new innovations have helped to lower the cost of the equipment involved.

Installing solar panels is a wonderful way of generating electricity for your home and/or business, without contributing to negative effects on the environment. There are many advantages to installing solar panels in your home or business.

The following is a list of things you should consider before installing solar panels in your house:

Determine if Solar Panels Are Right for You

If you live in an area that does not get significant sunlight, then you may be wasting money on solar energy equipment. If your area receives a lot of sunlight, then you will be able to harness the power of the sun and generate electricity that can save you money down the line.

Do You Need a Full or Partial System?

A partial solar power system is usually used to reduce energy costs by supplementing standard electric equipment with some solar-powered devices. A partial system is a good way to start off if you have never used solar power in your home or business. You may even want to try using only a few components of solar energy, such as lights and/or heaters.

What Kind of Panels Should I Get?

Solar panels come in different shapes and sizes and can either be mounted on your roof or you can place them in an area of open ground. The size and shape of the solar cells are dependent upon their intended use, so make sure to determine which is best for your needs before making a purchase.

What Else Do I Need?

In addition to panels for collecting energy from the sun, you will need charge controllers, inverters, batteries, and potentially a host of other accessories. It is important to purchase all of the necessary components before attempting any installations. You may want to consider contacting a company that specializes in solar power systems for more information or assistance with choosing equipment.

Find Out How Much It Will Cost

Before you make any final decisions about installing solar panels in your home, make sure you know just how much it will cost. You can ask around the neighborhood or look on the internet for estimates to ensure you have a good idea of what to expect.

Determine Where You Will Mount Your Panels

If you are planning on installing solar panels in order to save money, then one of the most important things to do is determine where you will place them. You will want to choose a location that receives a lot of sunlight during the day, but make sure there are not any obstacles between your panels and the sun.

Roofs come in various shapes and sizes. Before you go ahead with the installation process, make sure that your roof has enough room for an adequate number of solar panels. If there isn’t enough space, you aren’t likely to see good results.

You will also want to consider the orientation of your roof. As stated earlier, you will want to be sure that any solar panels you install will receive adequate sunlight for energy generation.

If your roof is pitched and not facing in the right direction, you could be wasting a lot of time and money. For best results in the northern hemisphere, you will want to face the panels south. In areas in the southern hemisphere, you will want to mount them north-facing for optimal energy generation.

Condition of Your Roof

Your roof will need to be in good condition before adding any solar panels. If your roof needs to be repaired, make those repairs before you begin installing solar. If you are not sure about the condition of your roof, then you need to hire a roofing company to perform an inspection.

How much weight can your roof support?

Installation of solar panels will increase the weight supported by your roof. If a heavy load of these solar panels is too much for the roof to handle, there is a possibility that it will collapse. This creates a situation that is very unsafe for many reasons. To avoid this situation, it is important to have a professional inspect your roof to discover if extra support is required in order to move forward with solar panel installation.

Measure Your Energy Usage.

Knowing how much energy you want to produce with your solar energy system is essential. A professional solar installer can help you with measuring your current energy use.

If you know how much energy you use on a daily basis, then you can estimate the amount of money that you will save by using solar power.

Knowing the amount of energy that you ordinarily consume can help you to make a decision about how many solar panels you need to install. This is also important to consider while positioning your solar panels.

Should You Buy or Lease?

It depends on your finances. There are two choices to have rooftop solar installed. You can buy a new system or lease it. If you have plenty of cash to invest in your home, you will likely opt to purchase them in order to get more value from your investment. Owning the solar panels allows you to reduce your energy bills, as well as make extra cash selling your energy surplus back to the power grid.

If you lease the solar system, the solar company will be the owner of the system. You will agree to pay a monthly fixed payment in exchange for use of the solar panels. This will ultimately reduce your utility bill, but the solar company will get to keep any proceeds that come from the energy surplus.

Choose a Good Installer

Once you’re well informed about the considerations involved in deciding whether solar power is right for you, it will be important to choose a good installation company.

You want to hire an installer who has the right experience, credentials, references, and reviews. A reputable company will perform the installation and ensure a job well done. The company will also continue to provide you with any maintenance support that is required.

It will be important to compare a number of different companies, but you should have some idea about the different kinds of questions that might come up in contract negotiations and installations.

Your installer needs to know your budget, roof orientation, and condition, as well as how much energy you consume. It will also be important to find out if the installer is capable of providing a warranty with your purchase or lease.

These things are essential when it comes time to make a final decision about whom you should hire for the installation process.

Do Not Forget About Maintenance

Keeping solar panels working and the roof in top condition requires proper maintenance. Make sure to keep your solar panels clean, and free of debris. Without proper care and maintenance, your equipment will not provide you with the results you would like, and may not last for the expected lifespan.

Once your solar panels are installed and working optimally, it will be important to continue the maintenance program throughout their lifespan. Having regular checkups with your installer is vital for keeping them in good condition.