Installing solar panels on your home is one of the best financial decisions you can make. Not only can the right system increase the value by up to 4%, but they also have a host of other benefits. And this is something many of the 40 million homes that currently have panels installed are finding out.
If you’re not sold on why you need solar panels, this post is going to look at a few things you need to know upfront so you can ascertain if this is the right decision for you.
Your Current Energy Usage
You need to understand your current energy usage so you can choose the right-sized system that will benefit your home. Your energy bills will give you a clearer picture. The information you need will be in kilowatt-hours. You need to look at your total usage over the previous 12 months to get a more accurate understanding of what you use so you can account for seasonal variation.
The idea isn’t to generate as much electricity as you can; it’s to generate an amount that covers what you actually consume. If you make more, then great; if not, then you’re still reliant on the grid for the additional usage.
Understand System Sizes
Residential solar systems are typically sized in kilowatts. Generally, you can find them in options from 6.6kW to 13kkW, which are designed for large homes.
The size you need depends on your energy usage, the size of your home, your roof space and your budget. Bigger systems will cost more and take longer to recoup upfront costs.
When you’re looking at this point, it’s worth noting that panel and inverter quality can vary across price points and the cheapest system is rarely the best value over a 10 year psan.. This is something you can talk through with solar panel experts who can help you find the right system to accommodate your needs.
What Can Your Roof Handle
Not all roofs are suited or designed to hold solar panels, and it’s really important that you know that your roof can take this system before installation occurs. Factors that influence roof suitability include orientation, pitch, shading and available space.
North-facing panels will receive the most sunlight overall, and south-facing roofs are typically going to capture less sunlight. East and west-facing panels are workable and should not be discounted.
Next, you need to look at whether or not your panels are going to be shaded too much, especially in summer, if trees are likely to block the sun from reaching them from your property or neighbouring properties. Then look at features such as skylights or vents that reduce the amount of roof space you have to work with.
The Cost and Payback Period
The upfront cost of a solar panel installation will vary from provider to provider. It will be impacted by the size, the quality of the system and panels and the complexity of the installation.
Generally, you can expect payback periods to cover a four to eight-year span, and after that point, any electricity you generate will effectively be free. When you look for an installation expert for your solar panels, make sure they break down the upfront costs and payback period, so you know exactly what to expect going forward.
