How To Prep For A Home Solar System: A Thorough Guide For 2023
March 23, 2023
Looking to take your home to the next level with a solar system? Going solar is a smart move for both your wallet and the environment.
However, installing a solar system, an alternative energy resource, requires some upfront prep work. To get started, assess your energy needs and research equipment options. In addition, you also need to explore financing options and consider local regulations or incentives. With these steps completed, you’ll be on your way to harnessing the sun’s power and enjoying a brighter, more sustainable future.
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For further detailed information, you can stick to this blog post until the end and figure out what home prep you require to make the successful decision.
So let’s dive in to explore some practical ways!
Evaluate Your Energy Needs
Before installing solar systems for homes, it’s essential to evaluate your energy needs and usage patterns because; when you are unplanned and unarmed, you drag yourself into plenty of unwanted problems.
Home prep for a solar system is never tricky; you can take a start by looking at the past bills and determining how much KWh of electricity you used in the previous months. Moreover, you also need to consider any changes you can make in the future, such as adding new appliances or electric vehicles – a futuristic approach can save you!
To understand how much electricity you use per month, add the KWh consumption of 12 months and divide the total by twelve. You can also estimate the daily electricity usage by dividing the monthly average by 30.
Adding the appliance’s wattage is the other best method to calculate the energy requirement. If you plan to add new appliances or want to buy electric vehicles in the future, you must invest in additional solar plates to avoid inconvenience.
Choose The Right Solar Panels
Solar energy is one of the widely used alternative energy resources, but in this age where the cost of everything is skyrocketing, going solar is also not everyone’s cup of tea. The good news is that several types of solar panels are available, and each features different pros and cons. Consider efficiency, durability, and cost when selecting the right panels for your home because not every panel type suits every place.
Although all panels generate solar energy, you must pick one per your needs, energy requirements, and budget.
By focusing on the cost of home solar panels and the panel types, you can reduce your over-cost/maintenance cost.
Let’s check what types of panels are available in the market to serve you the best.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels are the best for homes because of their efficiency and power capacity. They have the highest (24%) efficiency rate, with a 25-40 years lifespan. The monocrystalline solar cells manufacturing process produces a non-toxic, clear, and stable silicon ingot. Due to the complicated manufacturing process and other features, they are more expensive than polycrystalline or thin-filmed panels.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels are budget-friendly options with an efficiency rate of 15 to 17%. Although they are less efficient than monocrystalline solar panels, people still love to own them due to their affordable rates. The reason for less price is that the cells are generated from several silicon fragments rather than one silicon crystal (like in monocrystalline), making the manufacturing process a lot easier, hence making them cost-effective.
Thin-Filmed Panels
Regarding efficiency and power capacity, thin-film solar panels are behind monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. With an efficiency rate of 10-15% and a life span of 10-15 years, Thin-Filmed Panels are unsuitable for residential use; they are recommended for utility-scale solar projects. These solar panels are pure black, flat, or flexible in size or shape and are the sleekest among all the types. The three types of thin-filmed panels are Amorphous silicon (a-Si), Cadmium telluride (CdTe), and Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS).
Prepare Your Roof
Solar panels need to be installed on a roof that is in good condition and has adequate sun exposure because if the roof does not get maximum sunlight most of the day, you are wasting money on solar panels. So, before converting your home from grid to green energy (solar power), you must focus on a thorough roof inspection.
Hiring a professional to inspect your roof and make necessary repairs before installing your solar system is generally a great idea because they can better tell you how many panels weight your roof can bear and how much sunlight it receives from dawn to dusk. They can also look for severe signs of trouble if your roof has any.
Remember, the estimated life of any roof is nearly 15 years, while the life of solar panels is almost 25 to 30 years, so if the roof is near its expiry, you need to be extra cautious. Most of the time, the roof does not show any signs of damage, but internally, it has issues. Therefore, a roof inspection is vital to save the heavy investment in solar power home systems.
The proper roof lookover can show serious leakage issues, cracks, algae, moss, braking shingles, or other significant problems. Unfortunately, if the roof suffers from any of these issues, immediately call the experienced professionals who can give you cost-effective and efficient maintenance and roof repair solutions.
Find a Reputable Installer
There are endless perks of consulting qualified installers as they ensure to work using high-quality equipment, which means the solar panels will be installed properly and last longer.
The next reason for hiring them is that they can save your roof from potential damage, and their experienced and professional work is enough to give you peace of mind.
If you try to install the panels yourself or hire untrained installers, it may take a week or more; this is not the case with reputable installers because their knowledge and expertise help the project be completed quickly and efficiently. Electrical safety is another big reason experts suggest going to reputable companies to install solar panels because they can take care of all the connections and wiring, ultimately keeping the home safe from hazardous accidents.
Suppose you face difficulty in finding the best installer in the town. In that case, you can research potential installers or ask for references to find a company with a proven track record of quality installations.
Consider Financing Options
Solar power can be a significant investment, but several financing options are available, including loans, leases, and power purchase agreements. You can research and compare those financing options to find the best option for your budget and financial goals because, due to high prices, it is not affordable to shift the home to solar energy for everyone.
Although the solar panel installation costs can go up to $35000, the great news is that rebates and federal tax incentives can lessen the cost to almost half.
Solar Loans
To cut the cost of solar panels, try to take advantage of solar loans. With solar loans, people can start using solar power for their homes with little or no money. The handy payment option will include monthly installments for a set period with interest.
This is a suggested financing solution for home solar panels because it makes the monthly payments affordable, and you can take advantage of incentives and tax rebates.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Or Lease
The power purchase agreement is the same as a solar lease, but here you don’t have to pay some amount monthly. Instead, you pay for the electricity these panels generate. Here the solar company takes control of all the maintenance, and the contract lasts up to 15 to 25 years.
Solar Lease
With a solar lease, you can rent panels from a reputable company for 20 – 25 years. You don’t own the panels but must pay a monthly fee to use their electricity. This is highly recommended for homeowners who avoid bearing the hefty cost of buying solar panels.
However, if you want to enjoy a $0 down the solar program, you can contact Solgen Power⸺hit the link and find out if you qualify for their special favor of going solar without spending anything from the pocket until installation is done. Moreover, there are plenty of other factors for you at Solgen Power.
Our Summary
With the surge in demand for clean energy and the decreasing solar technology costs, installing a home solar system has become more accessible and practical than ever before. However, before you make the switch, you must do your homework and take the necessary steps to ensure a successful installation.
From calculating your energy needs and evaluating your roof’s condition to choosing the right equipment and financing options, prepping for a home solar system can be complex. But with the proper guidance and resources, you can make an informed decision and enjoy the many benefits of renewable energy. So, start your journey towards a greener future today, but if you have any queries, don’t know from where to take the start, or to whom to hire, you can simply contact Solgen Power.
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Solgen Power is a solar energy equipment company that sells and installs solar for homeowners. Solgen Power has been recognized by INC. 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the nation. Solgen Power has grown nationwide and continues to provide excellent customer service to homeowners.