With the alarms being raised about climate change, more people than ever are turning to green energy. There’s no better time than now to make the switch too. Green energy costs have drastically gone down and become more affordable for individuals and companies.
That’s why 2022 is expected to be a record year for wind and solar energy.
However, the rise in popularity of solar panels doesn’t make solar panel installation right for every homeowner. Consider the things below to make sure that it makes sense for you to go solar.
Sun Exposure
Unfortunately, the sun doesn’t hit the earth the same everywhere. There are many areas where solar panels do great because of sun exposure. The same isn’t true in every location.
If you want to get the most from your solar panels, you need to live in an area that has excellent sun exposure. Sure, you can still use solar energy in low sun exposure areas. However, you’ll need to invest in more solar panels to generate all the solar power your home needs.
Roof Health
Putting solar panels on a roof takes a toll. You need to install brackets to support your solar equipment and have a strong enough roof to sustain the weight. If you have an old or damaged roof, you may not be able to install solar panels.
You’ll need to get an inspection to ensure your roof can handle the weight of your solar panels. If your roof can’t take the strain, you’ll need to calculate the cost of a new roof if you want to install solar panels there.
Electricity Usage
Getting enough solar panels to power your home completely isn’t a big issue if you live in a small place and don’t use much power. However, you’ll have more to consider with larger homes and more power usage.
Look at your power bill to see how much energy your home uses. You’ll need this number to ensure you get enough solar panels to power your home completely.
Financing Options
You don’t need to pay cash anymore if you want solar panels. Many lenders now see the benefits of solar energy, so plenty of financing options are available.
On top of that, you can get loans and leases from solar installers themselves. Look into all your options to see if financing makes sense over a cash purchase.
Local Installers
There may be national solar installers that know how to handle solar installations, but that doesn’t mean they know your local area. You need to know many local regulations before taking on a job. If you want to guarantee that someone can handle the job, make sure they have a local presence.
A local solar panel company will know the local rules, which means you don’t have to worry about an inspector giving the thumbs down on your project. Look for the city’s best solar installer to find the perfect contractor for the job.
Do Your Research Before Investing in a Solar Panel Installation
The benefits of solar panels make it an excellent choice for many homeowners, but it won’t be the same for everyone. Many things can impact the performance of solar energy. Before you get a solar panel installation that doesn’t work well for your location, keep the things above.
Are you interested in more home improvement tips? Read more posts on the blog to learn more about improving your home.