Thinking about going green and conserving energy by adding a solar rooftop? Powering your home with solar panels is cost-efficient and eco-friendly, but there are a few things you should know before you make the switch and install solar panels. We’ve compiled the more important factors so you can decide what the best option is for you to start harnessing the power of the sun and start saving on energy.
Let’s get started!
Solar Rooftop
Solar energy is more affordable now then it ever has been before due to rapidly decreasing solar costs and the rising number of installations. With the money you can save by switching, it just makes sense.
Here are 7 key things to know before installing solar panels.
1. Your Roof
One of the first things you need to consider when looking at adding solar to your home is your roof.
Does your roof need renovations first? Your roof will need to be in good condition, so it’s important to have your renovations completed beforehand so that you can have your panels safely installed.
Do you live in a multi-unit building or housing complex but still want to add solar? It may be more beneficial to share solar as a community, as this will allow you to save on your electric bills and go eco-friendly, even though you don’t own your own home.
2. Leasing and Buying
Depending on your finances, you have two options to have a solar rooftop installed. You can either buy your own system upfront, which can pay bigger dividends, or you can lease the solar system, which gives you cheaper electricity with little to no money upfront.
When you buy and own the system, you will keep saving long after you pay off the initial cost of purchase and can recoup your costs with current incentives and rebates. If you lease, the company remains the owners of the solar system and you pay them a rate for the electricity.
There are plenty of affordable options for you, you just need to determine which would be a better route for your financial situation and have more benefits for you.
3. Improving Efficiency
The amount of energy you need to produce every day will depend on how much you use, so you want to make sure you are doing everything possible to improve efficiency.
We recommend starting with an energy audit – look at and estimate all of your consumption patterns, usage, and needs. This will help you determine efficiency upgrades and give you an idea of how much solar you will need!
4. Grid or Off-grid
When installing a solar array, you can either be connected to the grid or have an off-grid system that stores your energy in batteries.
Most homes have a solar system connected to the grid. In this type of system, you receive Net Metering, which is an incentive that gives you a credit on your bill from the excess power your solar panels produced.
If you use an off-grid system, it won’t be connected to your utility bill or city electric. Instead, you need extensive storage capacity to save energy so you can use it.
5. Selling Your Property
What if you don’t plan on staying in your home for the next 20 years? Good news, if you don’t plan on owning your house for that long, solar still makes sense. Having a solar roof will not only expedite the selling process but it will also increase the selling price.
Researchers found that buyers were willing to pay a premium of $15,000 for a home with an average-size solar photovoltaic system (3.6 kilowatts), compared to a similar home without one.
The housing market is full of buyers excited at the idea of owning a home with a solar roof!
6. Finding An Installer
This is extremely important when looking to install solar panels in your home. You want to hire a company that has the right credentials and references/reviews.
You wouldn’t hire a plumber to do electrical work, would you?
The same applies when hiring the right solar company. Find a company that strives for helping customers achieve their goals and building systems that last.
7. Your Contract
So you’ve found the right solar system for your home – what next? Now you’re ready to sign your new contact! When looking over your contract, it’s important to make sure you look over it very thoroughly to ensure it provides all of the right details.
You want to make sure it shows your financing, ownership, performance expectations and applicable warranty details. These details are important when it comes to spending money on something that can last you a long time, while also saving you a lot of money in the long run.
Benefits of a Solar Rooftop
Having a rooftop solar system installed has a ton of advantages
- Cost savings
- Secure investment
- Increase access to energy
- Tax Credits
- Environmentally friendly
- Low Maintenance
- No additional space required for installation
This is a great way to meet your energy needs and be eco-friendly!
Ready To Install Solar?
Having a solar rooftop installed in your home can be one of the best choices you make. You’re going to save money, decrease your carbon footprint, and increase the value of your home.
Now that you’ve done some research, its time to start adding solar to your home while helping the Earth and putting more money back into your pocket!
