Over the past few decades, solar energy use has steadily grown more popular in the United States. It’s easy to see why: solar power is better for the environment and it saves homeowners money on their electric bills.
To reap the many benefits of solar power, you’ll need to install solar panels. It’s not a difficult process, but there are a few things you need to be aware of before proceeding with your solar panel install.
Preparing for solar panel installation is about more than simply selecting the solar panels that are right for you–that’s a good place to start, but there are many other factors that you need to consider.
Read on to learn three important things you need to know before installing solar panels at your home.
- Know Your Roof
Solar panels are usually installed on a building’s roof, so you need to know the status of your roof before beginning your installation process. One key factor is the age of the roof.
If you have an older roof that needs repair, it’s not going to serve as a solid foundation for your solar panels. You’ll need to do a bit of roof repair before your solar panel install can proceed safely.
Roof size is also something to consider. The surface area you have determines how many panels you have room for.
- The Most Efficient Placement
Obviously, you need sunlight to generate solar energy, so it’s important to position your panels to get the maximum amount of sun. Once more, your roof impacts this–roof angle and home orientation are both factors.
Check out where the sun hits your home each day, as well as how long you’re getting direct sunlight. This will help determine where to place your panels for the best results.
You also need to consider potential blockages. Trees are common stumbling blocks for solar panel efficiency–if your roof is in the shadow of a tree, that impacts your solar power generation.
- Your Payment Method
Solar panel installation is much more affordable than you might think, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap; thankfully, there are many possible payment methods you can use to make things easier.
You can either lease or buy solar panels; buying is almost always the better option, as it gives you full control over your solar power system. Leasing is often cheaper, though.
Some companies can offer you the best of both worlds: solar panel installation with a low up-front cost and affordable monthly payments.
Explore options in your area and find a payment plan that works with your budget.
Be Prepared for Your Solar Panel Install
A solar panel install shouldn’t be taken lightly. While the process itself is painless, there’s quite a bit of research and consideration that needs to go into each installation. The payoff is worth it, though!
Solar panels are an important step towards environmental sustainability, but there are lots of other ways your home can go green. To learn about the latest in environmentally friendly tech, visit our technology blog!