The idea of mainstream consumers being able to make use of solar power as an energy source is a relatively new idea. The fact that solar energy is so new poses challenges of its own. For example, when a person wants to buy a car, the choice is made easy because cars have been around for so long. There are hundreds of thousands of people to help you decide, and the workings of a car are widely known. Now consider solar power. There are far fewer people who have tried the route of solar energy, and there are even fewer who have managed to make use of a solar powering system.
Solar power also happens to be a pricey investment, even though it does indeed pay off in the long run. The cost of installing a full solar power system in your home is steep, and this is a major factor why so few people go through with it. Putting solar panels across your roof is a pretty permanent decision, and it isn’t one you want to waste time or money doing – and so people avoid it entirely.
But when you are armed with knowledge, you can make more informed decisions. So that’s where we come in — with all the information we can supply on the matter of installing solar panels on your roof!
Direct Sunlight
So the first and main concern is whether installing solar panels on your roof is feasible or not. This is because if your roof does not attain enough exposure to direct sunlight throughout the day, there is actually no point in you installing panels on your roof. The panels require direct sunlight.
Check The Life Span of Your Roof
If the life span on the solar panels is 20 to 50 years, which is often the case, then you need to compare that with the life expectancy of your roof. If your roof is predicted to need a repair or renovation in 5 or 10 years or anything less than the life span of the solar panels, then you need to know that you will need to spend extra time and money on removing all the panels to do up the roof before replacing them again – so take the condition of your roof into consideration.
Are You A Homeowner or Not?
Another concern about your rooftop comes in when you are renting. If you are the homeowner, you have every right to put in solar panels on your roof and whatever else you wish to do to your property. However, as a renter, you are restricted from certain activities and installing permanent fixtures is one of them. So if you live in an apartment or in a rented home, you have to consider what your landlord has to say about the idea. In an apartment, you may have the option of a community panel if enough tenants agree to the idea and wish to contribute to the solar panel system.
Forward Thinking
Another concern that is often overlooked is the future of your rooftop. Even if you’ve checked that your roof is structurally sound and meets the requirements of installing solar panels, none of these will be of use to you if you just planted several trees around your yard. Obviously, they will grow large enough to cast shade over your rooftop and its solar panels! So it’s essential to think ahead into the future. If your rooftop is very close to a neighbor’s home, consider the trees in their garden as well and whether it will obstruct your sunlight in the long run. You can prune your own trees, but your neighbor won’t want that, you know!
Become Energy Efficient
Ensure that you have done everything possible to reduce your electricity usage before you take the leap into getting solar panels. The amount of solar energy you will need is directly proportional to the amount of electricity you are consuming currently. Replace high-consumption appliances with energy-efficient alternatives and cut your solar power bill!
Hooking Up to The Grid
It is a good idea to do your research and see whether your state offers net metering. Find out how to connect to the grid, how long it will take before your utility is hooked up properly, and when you will begin being credited for whatever you generate. This is where you can score big bonuses on your panels because your installation will be based on your highest usage, which is your winter usage (most likely). During the lower usage months, you are actually making money and not just saving money!
Now that you have an idea of the first steps to take before you decide your next move in solar energy, you can get to work!
