Thinking Solar? Essential Questions to Ask Before You Buy Solar Panels
Published Invalid Date
Share to social media
Have you ever wondered why solar is worth considering? To lessen the bills and impact on the surroundings, businesses and homeowners are opting for this sustainable solution. This is one of the best options to choose from in the growing inflation in everybody has started prioritising getting solar panels without a second thought.
While we talk about the importance of Solar Panels, we also want to mention how it is extremely important to ask questions before you purchase your solar panel. What are some of the things that you must ask? Let’s dive into the article and help you know about it.
What is the Ideal Property for Solar Panels?
One of the most important components for installing solar panels is the assessment of the structure and location of your building. We can not consider every property an ideal place for installing solar panels. Here are some questions to ask about the property where solar panels must be installed
How Much Sunlight Hits My Roof?
The energy produced by solar panels highly depends on the sunlight. The ideal roofs are the ones that are in the northern hemisphere but facing south and the other ones are in the southern hemisphere but facing north. One important factor is the shadow caused by buildings that are near the house like tall trees. You can consult with a professional to recommend the ideal place on your roof to install the solar panels.
How to Assess the Condition of the Roof?
If your roof is many years old and you do not want to address its repair and maintenance, it can cause very expensive complications in the future. The roofs must be maintained before the installation of solar panels, otherwise the removal of installed solar panels is a hassle.
What is the Roof type of My House?
The type of roof is a very important factor as it can affect the installation process and the cost. The most effective and the best roof for solar panel installation is an Asphalt shingle roof as compared to a tile, metal or slate roof that requires too much labor. Increased labor leads to increased expenses.
How Much Space Do I Need to Install the Solar Panels?
It absolutely depends upon how many solar panel plates you are getting installed in your property. Always remember the roof area must be large and unshaded to get the most energy out of the solar system. The smaller the roof, the limited its capacity will be.
Financial and Logistic Considerations
After assessing the roof size and type, there are some financial and logistical considerations that reflect whether your investment matches the outcomes.
What is the Initial and Long-term Expense?
There are some factors that decide the cost of the solar panel installation. These factors include the size of the roof, the quality of the equipment, the location of the house, and the complexities that arise in solar panel installation. Consider the expense as a saving as it eliminates the expense of electricity bills. If the lifespan of the solar system is 25-30 years, it will compensate for the investment within 5-6 years.
How do the Incentives make it Easy?
The cost of the solar panel installation can be drastically reduced due to Government incentives. People in the US can deduct a percentage of their solar panels from their federal taxes. Some additional rebates are offered by the local and state governments also. Another benefit given to the public is a net metering program in which people are given extra credits for sending excess power to the grid.
What is the Best Way to Pay for the Solar System?
The method you choose to pay for solar installation decides your financial return. If you want to buy the system independently, it is the best way and makes you independent, but requires a high amount for initial investment. If you want to spread the payment, you can go for the financing option. Another method is leasing or power purchase agreement (PPA). It is cost-friendly but does not give you ownership.
Should I Get Permits To Know About Rules?
You should always get a permit and know the local rules and regulations if you are planning to install a solar system. The permits include electricity, building and zoning. You may also need utility approval for your area. There are some homeowner associations (HOAs) that are involved in making people follow some rules and regulations. These also include rules for installing solar panels.
Conclusion
We can say that people are becoming energy independent by choosing this exciting technology of solar panels. Before making the final decision, one must consider some important questions. Some factors to consider include roof size, type and financial factors.
It is not easy to make a big investment initially so there are many other options available for the ease of people like financing or leasing. On that note, if you want to get your hands on Solar Panels, you should definitely connect with us at Sun Studios.