Solar panels are not something only for rich people and successful companies any more. In fact, it is far easier now to install solar panels than it was at any time before. Solar panels are a great way to help the environment but they are also a great way to help your pocket book too. Solar panels will save you and your family money and will make sky-high electricity bills a thing of the past.
But if you want solar panels, there are questions you should answer. It’s true that if you’re considering going solar, you’re undoubtedly curious about the following: Is solar energy a good investment? Is my roof solar-panel-friendly? Is solar energy capable of supplying enough electricity to run my home? Who manufactures the most effective solar panels? All of these need to be answered before you can start the process of installing solar panels – and saving you and your family a whole lot of money.
So here are the things to ask if you are wondering if your home is suitable for solar panels.
How Much is Your Energy Bill?
The first step in determining if your home is a suitable candidate for solar is to determine how much you pay for electricity. The primary question is whether or not it will save you money. Electricity is quite cheap in some regions. In other regions the power bill is a dreaded monthly expenditure. Solar makes the greatest financial sense for someone with a monthly power cost of at least $75, according to the usual rule. Why? Because solar energy replaces utility energy, and we want our clients to see a return on their investment by paying less for electricity.
Residential solar consumers will realize solar savings if their electricity bill reaches $75. Depending on a customer’s needs and goals, there are various options for becoming solar. Some businesses provide zero-down leases, loans, and cash purchase alternatives, each with its own set of advantages. That’s why, if you’re looking for solar panels, you should browse around your local businesses since you could discover some amazing offers. The more popular solar panels become, the more firms will be enticed to compete for your business.
I don’t quite get the $75 threshold. Some of our coolest customers are those that had already instituted a lot of energy saving measures and hence they could go with a small system to cover some of their electric bill.
When in doubt, consult a local solar specialist for information on local and federal subsidies as well as power rules in your area.
How Much Sunlight Do You Get?
Of course, if you are going to get solar panels you need to have a good south roof or a good east or west roof without any tree shading, otherwise the panels will do you no good. But how do you know if you get enough solar light for solar panels? Try a solar panel suitability checker like Google’s Project Sunroof to determine if your home is a suitable candidate for solar. Then schedule a solar consultation with a professional who will evaluate your home’s orientation (remember that solar panels facing south collect more energy), roof angle, and tree shadowing to determine if your roof will get enough sunshine to fulfill your family’s energy demands. The industry standard is to not charge for the solar professional to check out your home and roof.
The panels will produce more power the more direct sunshine your property receives. The most common solar panels on the market are recognized for being highly effective at generating electricity in low-light circumstances; nevertheless, severe shadowing will decrease the quantity of electricity that can be created.
It’s also worth noting that several solar panel manufacturers have built micro-inverters into each panel from the factory. What exactly is that? It’s a cutting-edge solar design element that ensures that even if one panel isn’t producing electricity due to shadow, nearby panels that receive more sunlight may still create solar energy for your home. This way, even if a single panel isn’t getting much sun, you’ll always have electricity.
What is your Climate Like?
Solar energy may be generated in a wide range of climates, from wet regions like Seattle to scorching hot spots like Los Angeles, California. Solar suitability checkers can assist you figure out how this could influence your home’s solar. Solar panels with high efficiency convert direct and indirect sunlight into power, allowing them to operate even on gloomy days. Before you decide to go solar, a solar expert will estimate the quantity of energy your system will produce so you can understand the possible savings.
Solar panels are designed to function in all climates, however owing to age or tree cover, certain rooftops may not be appropriate for solar systems. Rooftop panels may not be the best solution if there are trees near your home that cast too much shade on your roof. Your roof’s size, form, and slope are other significant elements to consider. Solar panels work best on south-facing roofs, however they may work on other rooftops as well. You should also think about the age of your roof and how long it will be before it has to be replaced.
You can still profit from solar energy even if a solar specialist finds that your roof is not suited for solar or if you do not own your home. Multiple individuals can benefit from a single, shared solar array that can be placed on- or off-site, thanks to community solar. The costs of acquiring and installing a solar energy system are shared among all participants, who can purchase into the shared system at whichever level best suits their budget.
Will Your Roof Be Replaced?
You want your roof to be ready for solar panels since they may last up to 40 years. If you require a new roof after the panels are placed, a solar professional will have to remove the entire system and reinstall it when the roof is replaced. A rule of thumb is that your roof should have at least 10 years of life left.
You can install solar panels if you have a new roof. If you’re in the market for a new roof, consider adding solar panels to the mix. There will be no difficulties drilling through roof membranes or trying to attach new structure if the installation is completed at the same time.
How long will your roof survive if it isn’t brand new? Various types of roofing are designed to survive for varying lengths of time. Roofs made of asphalt and tar endure around 20 years, wood shake roofs 30 years, and tile and metal roofs 50 years. Before installing solar panels, you should replace your roof if it is towards the end of its useful life.