Many homeowners are exploring the option of using solar energy in their home through solar panels. However, this renewable energy system is not for everyone. Some houses and buildings are just not fit to have solar panels installed. Let’s see what you should consider before purchasing a solar panels installation.
Installing solar panels can be a brilliant investment. It enables you to get free energy from the sun which you can:
– Use to power up your house.
– Become independent from electrical grids with their continual price increase.
– Sell excess generated energy to earn money.
– And reduce carbon footprints in the environment.
But just like other investments, there are things you need to take into considerations before making a decision to ensure that you can get the advantages that the technology offers.
House location
First thing you need to consider before purchasing solar panels is your house location: mainly your roof orientation. You have to make sure that your house is suitable. Most solar panels are installed on the roof. Therefore, your rooftop should have a wide open space with unobstructed sun exposure to the sun during the day. Shadows from trees and tall buildings can greatly affect the energy you can generate. It is also important to check the direction your roof is facing. Panels should be facing south, southeast, or southwest to maximize the amount of energy they can produce.
Roof Type
Your roof type is also a significant factor when deciding to integrate solar energy into your home. Although solar panels can be installed on almost any roof type, some roofing materials are difficult to work with. Like wood and slate tiles roofs because they are brittle. The installation process on these roof types can be more expensive than other roofing materials because they require more time to do. The most ideal roof for solar panels is asphalt shingle roofing because it allows easy installation.
Sturdy roofing is necessary to ensure that it can carry multiple panels which weigh about 20 kilograms each. The number of panels to be installed depends on what you want to achieve. You can put up just a few panels to cover the energy needed for your entire house. Or a hundred of panels to generate extra energy to charge your e-vehicles or sell energy to the utility company. Of course, the size of your roof with direct sun exposure will determine how many panels you can install.
House energy needs
It’s critical to know how much energy you use every day to determine whether it’s worthwhile to invest on solar panels. If you have minimum electricity usage or are always out of town, you may not be able to enjoy the free energy you are generating from the panels. In this case, using the conventional electricity grid can save you more money than investing on solar panels.
Residence longevity
It’s also important to ensure that you will be living in the same house for many years. If you are renting or relocate frequently, then you may not get enough pay off from your solar panel investment. Installing the system is expensive and it can take up to 5 years for you to recoup the money you spent for installation.
The good thing is if you own the house, solar panels increase the property value. So, you can still have reimbursement in case you relocate or sell the house. MoreoverFind Article, if you will be staying the same house for good then you can enjoy the benefits of having a renewable energy system for up to 30 years.