Is My Home Good for Solar?
If you are considering the option to use solar power, you may be wondering if your current layout and property will be suitable for solar roof panels. Solar energy often comes with a series of questions for inexperienced users and here are some of the questions you need to consider answering before you install solar panels throughout your home:
Your Energy Bill
Taking a look at your energy bill is usually the best first step that you can take to see if you would make a good candidate for solar power. Asking if solar power will save you money means understanding the costs of your electricity and what you can expect as a financial break for your electricity costs over time. Solar is replacing utility energy with solar energy and giving you access to credits for cost savings. If your energy bill has increased consistently from your utility company over the past few years, you can lock in one set rate by switching to solar power.
Your Roof
The type of roof that you have can also be important in choosing the right solar energy system. The best roofing systems that will work with a solar power system are roofs that are produced with highly durable roofing materials. Choosing roofs that are made out of mortar or clay can be an important first step.
The Age of Your Roofing Materials
The age of your roofing materials remains important as well. When your roof needs to be replaced, this can be an added cost to consider with your solar energy. Solar panels are often produced to deliver consistent energy for your roof over the next 40 years after installation. Your roofing materials will need to be properly replaced before the system is installed so that you can make sure that your roof under the solar panels remains strong and efficient.
The Sunlight On Your Roof
The amount of sunlight that your roof receives can be extremely important. Doing a quick check with a local solar company or getting a solar consultation will measure the amount of shade that your roof gets and what you can expect in terms of solar energy. The amount of shade that you receive and the ability to generate solar power may often depend on the slope of your roof, plant life that overhangs your roof, and more. Solar panels can be situated in such a way that you can generate quality amounts of power but you will need to make sure that your rooftop is able to receive the right amount of sunlight first.
Your Local Utility
Learn more about the programs your local utility has to offer. When you find out more about net metering and the credits which are available to you, it is possible to get an idea of how much you will be able to generate in credits by running solar power in your home each year. Without net metering, you may take longer to pay off your solar panels.
Consider Storms In Your Area
The climate and the types of weather you typically experience can mean a lot with your solar power installation. If you are in a region that gets a large number of tropical storms, you may want to work at improving your roof first before installing solar panels. A professional installer will make sure the panels can be installed securely and that they are able to manage in all types of weather.
If you would like to learn more about whether a solar system will be the right choice for you, contact us today and we can assess your home for solar installations.
