Blog

9 Things to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels

No Comments

Have you lately thought of installing a solar panel? Be it for saving money on your electricity consumption or upgrading your place’s value or reducing the carbon footprint- going solar is the need of the hour. And we appreciate this thoughtful decision of yours!

While installing solar panels is a lucrative option, there are some factors to be considered before installing the solar panel at your home or workplace!

As you research for the best solar panel companies in your region, review these factors first, to estimate your energy generation and potential for saving.

1. Whether your roof is suitable and ready for the installation:

One of the best things about solar panels is its durability. Most panels come with a warranty of 20-25 years! It means that if your roof is not in good condition or needs to be revamped, then get that done before installing solar panels. It can be very challenging and costly to remove and reinstall panels to make way for roof work to get done.

2. The duration for which you plan to stay in that particular residence:

Solar is a long term investment that also has long term benefits. So, if you’re planning to shift from your current residence or workplace sooner in the future, then consider installing the panels in your new home or workplace.

Related Read: Is it Worth Installing Solar Panels?

3. Suitability of your house for the installation:

So, how to know whether your home is well-suitable for solar? Here are two key indicators to look for:

  1. Less number of huge trees surrounding the house: More number of trees around the house means more shade, which can cause hindrance for the panels to harness the solar energy. If your home is next to a skyscraper or a dense forest, you might need to consider the option of shifting to a new house before going solar!
  2. Roof direction:  
  • If you live in the northern hemisphere, the sun is in the south of the sky. Therefore, to fetch the maximum exposure of the sun, the solar panels are suggested to be placed on a south-facing roof.
  • Likewise, in the southern hemisphere, solar panels are best placed on a north-facing roof.
  • However, if you don’t use much energy in the middle of the day- as with most homes, and need it the evening, then a west-facing solar array might be more useful.
  • If you prefer more solar electricity generation in the mornings, an east-facing direction would be preferable.
  • You might be surprised to know that- east and west-facing solar panels generate less energy throughout the entire day than those facing towards north and south.

4. Which kind of solar makes should you buy?

The two dominant solar technologies to pick from are:

  • Photovoltaic: This technology uses arrays of cells to turn sunlight into electricity, and
  • Thermal: This technology uses sunlight to heat water or air for domestic purposes.

If your home uses a lot of energy for heating, or you live somewhere where heating fuel is expensive relative to electricity, a solar thermal investment could be a suitable and viable option.

5. Lease or buy?

Every household will need to run its cost-benefit analysis before deciding whether to buy or lease the solar panels. Buying your own system might cost more upfront, but it does reap benefits in the future. When you own the system, it can keep working for you long after it pays off the cost of the purchase.

On the other hand, leasing lets you access cheaper electricity with little or no money down, but the benefits are limited. If you lease, the company you contract with owns the system, and you pay them a certain rate for the electricity; when the lease is up, they might take the system away.

Make sure you compare the total lifecycle cost of the lease and weigh the savings against the benefits you would get from ownership.

6. How to fight with nature’s sudden surprises?

No one can foresee natural disasters like- lightning storms, hurricanes, hail, etc. In such situations, there is a potential risk for some solar power equipment to get damaged during these events. Although some insurance will cover these types of events, it is important to consider this factor, especially if you live in an area where such type of weather is a common phenomenon.

7. Choosing the right contractor:

A solar power system is both home improvement and an electrical project. This is why when you start your search for the right contractor, you need to validate that they have a good reputation in the market and are reliable and flexible to work with.

Look for a contractor that can be around for help in the long term. While there is minimum maintenance required; if something goes wrong, you would want your contractor to be easily available to get it fixed under warranty.

Related Read: 7 Reasons Why Solar Panel is Good for Your Home

8. Warranties do matter:

Warranties are an important aspect to consider; as it helps to protect your solar panels and other related equipment. If anything happens to your solar panels, having a warranty helps you to keep the manufacturer accountable — without any additional cost to you. There are also some incentive programs (available in different states) that require you to have a warranty for your solar equipment.

If you don’t have a warranty, fixing minor faults will be a pain for sure!

9. Maintenance is a priority:

Keeping your solar panels working and your roof in good condition is imperative. It’s a good idea to ask your contractor about the maintenance procedures before the installation begins. If you are unable to meet those solar system maintenance requirements, there is a good chance your equipment will not last as long as you want it to.

Bottom Line:

Choose the solar panel that is best suited for your home instead of opting for the popular ones! Look for various options and follow the above-given suggestions before finalizing your choice.

Contact us today to get a free solar panel installation quote or call us at +91 772-199-4477.