Are you wondering if solar panelsĀ are a viable option for your home today? A lot of other people think so. Believe it or not,Ā 10.6 GW of solar energyĀ was produced in the United States during 2018.
However, wanting solar panels doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for your home.
Are you unsure if going solar is the right choice for your home? Keep reading to learn what you need to consider when you want to invest in solar panel installation for your home.
Look at Your Roof
Solar panels don’t work on every roof out there. Your roof needs to meet the right conditions to install solar panels. If you don’t have the right roof conditions and you still want solar panels, you’ll also need to get a new roof.
You’ll need to factor in this additional cost to determine if solar panels are a good choice. If you need a new roof anyway, you can kill two birds with one stone.
Check Your Sun Exposure
Even if you have a solar system that can power your whole home, you need enough sun to do so. Without the proper solar panel placement and sun exposure, you won’t be able to get enough power from your solar panels to keep the lights on.
Look at how much sun exposure you can get in your current location. You need to ensure you can place your solar panels optimally to get the most from your solar panels.
Speaking with the solar companies with service locations near you is aĀ great way to learn about your location’s sun exposure and how well your panels will work in everyday life.
Examine Your Payback Period
While solar panels are cheaper than ever, that doesn’t mean you won’t spend a lot of money on the upgrade. Before you decide that you want to cut down on your energy bills, you’ll need to figure out how long your payback period is.
Get quotes for solar panels and look into what tax rebates are available for your purchase. From there, you can figure out how many years it will take for you to get a return on your investment.
Check Your Local Regulations
You can’t just install anything on your home. Even if you aren’t renting, there are local regulations and homeowners associations to contend with. The question is, do your local rules allow you to install solar panels on your home?
For local regulations, the chances are good that you’ll just need to meet building codes. Check with your local government to see what building codes are in your area.
Things are a little more tricky with an HOA. There may be rules in your association that prevent you from adding solar panels to your roof.
Going Solar Is the Right Choice for Many People
Investing in a solar panel installation may seem intimidating initially, but it isn’t too challenging to take on when you find help from a solar company. Because of all the benefits solar energy brings, it’s worth it for most people thinking of making the investment. Keep the things above in mind when you make your choice to ensure you have all the information you need to determine if going solar is correct for you.
Are you interested in learning more things you can do to improve your home and lifestyle? Head back to the blog to learn more home improvement tips that will help.