Hundreds of thousands of solar panels have popped up all over the world in the last two decades. A growing number of people are opting for solar energy to power their homes and businesses. Every year, the cost of going solar decreases, thanks in part to investments made by solar energy technologies. You could be thinking about installing a solar energy system on your roof or finding another way to use the sun’s energy. While there is no one-size-fits-all solar solution, the following information can assist you in determining whether your home is best for solar energy. Before you go solar, think about the following questions.
Do you own your home, and what style of home do you reside in?
The type of home you reside in and whether you own or rent it are the other two most important factors in evaluating if you are a good fit for solar. Installing solar panels on your home is far more challenging if you don’t own the property. For the same reason, it may be challenging to take advantage of a rooftop solar system if you live in a multi-family property, like a condo or a townhouse.
How much natural light does your roof get?
Try a solar panel suitability checker like Google’s Project Sunroof to discover if your home is a good candidate for solar. Then, schedule a solar consultation with a professional who will check your home’s orientation (solar panels facing south gather more energy), roof angle, and tree shadowing to determine if your roof will receive enough sunshine to satisfy your family’s energy demands.
What is the weather like in your area?
Solar energy may be generated in various climates, from wet places to scorching hot spots. Solar suitability checkers can assist you in figuring out how this can affect your home’s solar energy system. Solar panels with high efficiency convert direct and indirect sunlight into electricity, operating even on overcast days. Before you decide to go solar, ask a solar expert to estimate the quantity of energy your system will produce to understand the possible savings.
How steep is the pitch of your roof (the angle)?
As a general rule of thumb, the best tilt (roof angle) for most solar panel systems is anywhere between 30 and 45 degrees. Thankfully, most conventional roofs have that angle! Solar panels positioned on a steep top produce less electricity. They are more challenging to install, but solar panels installed on a flat roof demand more room and are more suitable for larger installations.
It may seem challenging to understand whether or not your home is a good fit for solar energy, but keep in mind that such a system is a long-term investment. From a budgetary standpoint, solar power is an intelligent alternative in many places. Homeowners may want to install solar power to avoid future potential changes in energy bills, or they may wish to use solar for “green” living, regardless of their financial concerns.
For more information on this subject matter, contact a solar specialist at SUNSOLAR SOLUTIONS and see if you, too, can make a difference. Have more questions? Contact us!
