by Renewable energy has come a long way over the years. What used to be a less-used energy source is now one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.
The good thing about this is that both homeowners and businesses can take advantage of the trend. Renewables are expected to grow even more over the next several years as a result. If you plan to join this trend, the chances are good that you’re installing solar panels on your home.
You must consider some essential things when buying solar panels for a house. Below are the factors you need to think about when purchasing solar panels.
Determine Your Roof’s Quality
Unfortunately, you can’t install solar panels on any roof. You’re adding a lot of weight to a roof when you install heavy solar panels. If you install them on the wrong roof, it can lead to damage.
You’ll need to invest in a new roof if your current one can’t support the weight. Have an inspector check your current roof to see if it can handle the strain.
If not, you’ll need to factor the cost of a new roof into your cost.
Monitor Your Power Usage
Power usage is the next thing to figure out before you buy solar panels. Look at your energy bills to see what your average energy use is. You can determine the average you use monthly to see what size of the installation you need.
Remember, though, that you don’t need to power your entire home with solar. You can purchase solar for a portion of your energy usage and power the rest with the power grid.
Once you determine the amount of power you need, you can determine the number of solar panels it will take to meet those demands.
Watch the Sun
Unfortunately, solar doesn’t work well in every area. Solar panels need a lot of sunlight to work at maximum efficiency. On top of that, you need to get the best direction from the sun.
A southern exposure is usually the best direction to put solar panels. The sun is on the southern exposure during the entire day, no matter what position it is in the sky.
However, your roof may limit your ability to place your solar panels there. You’ll need to determine the best positioning to get the best power output.
Check the Permitting
Each state has its own rules when it comes to solar panels. Some don’t have requirements, so you can do whatever you want with your roof.
However, other states have strict requirements and building codes that you must meet. If you want your installation approved, you need to get a permit and have it approved after it’s finished.
Learn all you can about the permitting in your area to determine if you can install solar on your home.
Find Your Tax Credits
The cost of solar panels intimidates many people. Without tax credits, you spend a ton on the installation. In many cases, the time to repay the cost doesn’t make sense.
But there are many tax credits these days that will drastically reduce the amount you pay. There are both federal and local credits for you to consider.
Factor these credits into your pricing calculations. If you can get a bigger tax refund over the next several years, it can make purchasing solar panels worth the investment. They will usually trim years off your repayment period.
Consider Getting Batteries
You won’t always be able to use all your solar output. In most situations, that output gets redirected to the power grid. You get credit for the power you generate and can use those credits to get power from the grid.
However, you can redirect that power before you sell it to the power company. You can store your excess energy in batteries to save for later use.
This is important for night and times when you don’t get as much sun. It means you can continue powering your home with solar and won’t need to pull power from the grid.
Look for Local Installers
Once you have a list of requirements for your installation, the next step is to find local contractors to handle the work. Luckily, this isn’t that hard to do these days.
One search on Google will give you a list of local solar installers in your area, like the one at this link. You’ll also see reviews on the map results that tell you what previous customers think.
Use those reviews to remove the poorly-rated companies from your search.
Get Quotes
Now that you have a list of local contractors, you need to figure out how much you’ll pay for the service. You don’t want to contact only one company. You want to reach out to as many contractors as possible to learn about pricing.
The first step to doing this is getting quotes for service. Contact the solar companies on your list and let them know what you need. Give them your specifics and ask them what they suggest will work best for you.
From there, you can compare quotes between the different providers. Look for a company that offers good value without charging too much money.
Buying Solar Panels for a House: You’re Ready to Make Your Decision
Solar panels are a significant investment. With how much money you’re putting up for the installation, you don’t want to make the wrong choices and end up with a solar panel system that doesn’t meet your needs.
But now that you’ve read the guide above, you should understand better what buying solar panels for a house takes. Start reaching out to a solar installer today to learn about your options.
Check out the blog if you’re interested in more ideas that will help you make great changes to your home.
