Are you ready to have an eco-friendly, solar-powered home?
Installing residential solar panels is one of the best things you can do to reduce your overall energy usage and carbon footprint. From picking panels to hooking them up to your home, solar panel installation seems like a daunting task. But, it doesn’t have to be!
Here, the things you need to know before installing solar panels to have the best experience.
Inspect Your Space
Do an in-depth review of your roof before looking into solar panels. This will help you get an idea of what shape your roof is and what types of panels will work best with your home. Analyzing your roof shape also ensures you have enough space to install solar panels.
If you don’t have enough space for certain panels, you may need to special order a custom size to fit your roof. This means you’ll have a better fit later on and the panels will be unique to your home. Be sure to look into roof requirements for solar panels before making a purchase.
You’ll also want to make sure your roof has no damage to it. When installing solar panels, you need to have a clean, safe space for them to go. This ensures the longevity of both the solar panels and your roof.
Looking at your home honestly before installing solar panels means you’ll have fewer long-term costs of repair.
Plan for Connection
Next, you’ll need to think about how you’ll tap into the solar power you’re collecting. To connect, you’ll need to get into contact with your local power grid. Ask them these questions to get started:
- What, if any fees, are there to connect to the grid?
- How long will it take to connect to the grid?
- What credit can I receive for generating my own energy?
- How is that credit processed?
Though you can power your home off-grid, you need to think about days when your panels may underproduce energy. If you’re off the power grid, you’ll store electricity in batteries at your home. But, if the batteries run out, so does your home energy.
By connecting to the grid, you’ll use the municipality’s electricity to make up for the difference. The credits you receive from generating your own power the rest of the time can help cover those costs.
Thinking About the Future
When you inspect your roof and connect to the grid, you’ll have fewer costs associated with energy come up in the future.
Plus, when you own your solar panels, your hard work pays off if you decide to sell your home. Since you’ve invested in making your home more eco-friendly, others know what they’re getting when they purchase your home. Buyers will pay less in electric bills and know that they are making a positive impact on the environment.
Solar Panels and Your Home
When you install solar panels for home, you are not only investing in a cleaner future but in your property as well. The value of your property increases as you benefit from clean, renewable energy.
Knowing the things to think about before installing solar panels will set you up for success in the future. Check out our Home Improvement Ideas page for more ways to create a better living space.
