5 Things To Consider Before Adding Solar Panels to a Roof
Why add a rooftop solar system?
Whether you wish to reduce your carbon footprint, manage your energy bill or enhance your home’s ROI, you may choose to install solar panels. Below are some factors you need to consider before adding roof solar panels.
Your home’s solar viability
A home’s solar viability depends on the roof’s orientation, roof structure, and whether there is a nearby shade. Solar panels require space to be effective. The space required depends on the size of our home and the amount of power you expect. Normally, the least space required is around 200 square feet. The space should not have obstructions such as chimneys, skylights, or pipes.
When it comes to orientation, south-facing roofs receive more sunlight than north-facing roofs. Finally, factors like neighboring homes, trees, and tall objects may not significantly impact the amount of solar energy reaching your roof. However, it is critical to consider the shades before making a decision. Too much shade hitting on your roof can impact the quantity of energy your panels can produce.
Cost of solar panels and the much you can save
Typically, the cost of a residential solar system ranges from 15,000 dollars to 25,000 dollars. Loan, lease, and cash options are all available when paying for a solar panel system. Moreover, it is important to find out what federal and local tax credits and rebates you are entitled to for installing a solar energy system.
Luckily, Google has an interactive program known as Project Sunroof, which permits you to key in your address to get an estimate of the money you might save. The program checks your location, your home’s size, and the number of peak sun hours. If you produce excess solar energy, you can feed it into the city’s grid and receive a credit on your bills. If you live off the grid, you can store the excess energy in a battery.
Length of solar panel warranty
Solar panel warranties are of two types: performance warranty and product warranty. A performance warranty usually lasts 25 to 30 years, while a product warranty lasts 15 to 25 years. Every warranty varies with the manufacturer. Nevertheless, you can take advantage of your solar panel system warranty and protect your investment for longer.
Your region’s weather and climate
The weather and climate of an area can considerably impact the solar energy production of your home. Homeowners in rainy and cloud regions will not receive much solar energy production. Areas such as Arizona are perfect for solar panels, whereas Vermont gets considerably fewer sunny days. If your home is in a state that experiences rainy and cloudy weather, you can still benefit from solar by adding roof solar panels.
Strength of your roof
You will need to know if your roof will withstand the solar panel’s weight. There is no need to replace your roof on account of the project. Nevertheless, it is vital to confirm if the roof warranty will be affected by installing the solar panels.
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