Installing Solar panels is turning out to be progressively well-known as a way for mortgage holders to get a good deal on power expenses and help the climate. On the off chance that you’re thinking about introducing solar panels on your rooftop, there are a couple of key things you’ll need to comprehend before getting everything rolling.
While searching for installers, be certain to ask any solar panel distributors or dealers you’re thinking about their qualifications, experience introducing private nearby planet groups, and confirmation as supported sun-powered workers for hire.
Finding an experienced solar panels dealer or distributor can help ensure a smooth installation process. It’s also wise to get recommendations from previous customers of any solar panels dealers before selecting one for your home.
1. Check Your Roof Structure and Orientation
The orientation and structure of your roof will determine whether solar is a good fit. Sun panels need direct daylight to produce the most energy, so southern or southwest confronting rooftops will more often than not work best. Your rooftop likewise should have the option to help the additional weight that accompanies sun based – around 5 pounds for each square foot.
2. Determine Available Space for Installing Solar Panels
You’ll want to map out the available square footage on your roof. Most residential systems need 25-50 square feet of open, unshaded space. Consider things like vents, chimneys, or trees that could cast shadows when planning panel placement. Leave room around edges too for walking space during cleaning or repairs.
3. Calculate Your Electricity Usage
Sizing your system correctly is key. Pull usage data from your electric bills to determine how much energy you need on average. A good solar installer can help analyze this and size a system that meets 60-90% of your needs depending on net metering laws. Over- or under-sizing will impact savings potential.
4. Obtain Permits and Agreements
Installing solar panels requires building permits to ensure safety codes are followed. You may also need permission from your homeowner’s association if you have one. Check with your utility company on any requirements for a net metering agreement too. These approvals can take 4-6 weeks, so start early.
5. Consider Different Panel Types
There are a few main panel technologies to choose from – monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin film. Monocrystalline tends to be the most efficient while thin film can work on non-traditional surfaces. Match your budget and preferences to the technology that makes the most sense.
6. Shop for Installers
Looking for installing solar panels, get multiple quotes from licensed contractors who specialize in solar PV installation. Check for proper certification, insurance, and warranty coverage. Also, consider reviews online or from peers to find installers with strong reputations. Ask lots of questions during consultations.
7. Understand Potential Incentives
Federal tax credits can cover 26% of total project costs. Some utilities offer rebates or financial incentives as well. Your state or neighborhood district might give extra advantages to empower sustainable power reception. Do your research to claim everything available as these can significantly impact your return on investment.
8. Weigh Financing Options
Not everyone has thousands on hand for a solar project. Look into loans with low or no interest specifically for renewable installations. Some systems can also be leased or purchased through a power purchase agreement where you pay back costs through your electric bill over time.
9. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Over their 25+ year lifespan, panels will need occasional cleaning, especially in arid climates. Other routine tasks prevent performance degradation. Work with your installer on a preventative maintenance plan and schedule annual inspections. Proper upkeep extends the life of your investment.
10. Ensure Transferability Upon Sale
If you sell your home or the equipment needs upgrading, make sure to understand the agreements with your solar provider. Ideally, the value of the system should transfer to new owners who continue using clean energy to power their homes. Talk through potential future issues with installers.
11. Electric Rates
Time-of-use rates mean self-consumption during peak hours saves more. Net metering policies alter the value of excess production credited back to the utility.
12. Battery Storage
By adding batteries, a slightly oversized solar array allows powering a home even when the grid is down. Batteries increase upfront costs but offer resilience.
13. Home upgrades
New insulation, appliances, or an EV could increase future power demands that a larger solar system would cover. It’s best to future-proof based on anticipated upgrades within 10-15 years.
14. Grants and incentives
Some programs require a certain percentage of annual usage to be offset by solar, like 80%. This threshold impacts the minimum viable system size to qualify for available rebates or tax benefits.
15. Roof Space
Even with optimal southern exposure, physical roof size and structure may only allow a certain maximum panel footprint. This constrains the maximum possible system size regardless of usage needs. Balancing factors is the art of considering physical and electrical capacities.
By diligently assessing these various influences, a solar designer can hone in on the right system parameters to maximize cost savings based on each homeowner’s unique energy, roof, and financial circumstances over the coming decades.
How to Calculate Your Electricity Usage and Size of Your System?
It’s important to size your solar array correctly based on your household’s electricity needs. Over-sizing can mean wasting potential production while under-sizing may not meet goals. There are a few key factors that determine the optimal system size:
- Electricity usage: Pull at least 12 months of hourly usage data from your utility bills to understand your typical electricity demand. Peak usage months and times of day matter here.
- Shading: Any shaded areas on your roof will reduce a panel’s output. Shading from trees, vents, or other structures is accounted for in sizing.
- Location: The farther north or west you are affects how many usable sunlight hours there are. This impacts the expected yearly solar yield.
- Panel efficiency: Monocrystalline panels typically convert 20-22% of energy to electricity while thin film is 13-15%. More efficient equipment generates more per panel.
As a real-world example, let’s say analysis shows a home uses about 800 kWh per month on average. With a southern-facing roof with no shading, monocrystalline panels could be used. At a 20% efficiency rating in this area, a 5 kW system with 20 panels of about 250W each would generate roughly 6,800 kWh annually. This covers around 85% of the home’s needs.
A qualified solar panels dealer can evaluate all the specific factors like electric rates, incentives, and peak demands to precisely size a setup using software modeling tools. This approach ensures the solar array is optimized for maximum output based on the home’s unique energy profile.
Generally speaking, investigating as needed and working with experienced sun-based experts for installing solar panels will assist with guaranteeing a smooth, fruitful sun-powered establishment that helps your home and wallet for a long time to come. The forthright venture takes care of through long-haul energy investment funds and ecological stewardship.
One reputable solar panel distributor to consider is Sun-AP Ecopower, which has over a decade of experience providing energy-efficient solar solutions to homeowners throughout the state.
