Solar energy has been the alternative source of power for many homeowners. The use of solar panels to generate power in residential homes has been on the rise in recent years. A couple of reasons contributes to this.
Installing solar panels is a one-time expense, and you start enjoying their use. Additionally, unlike electricity, there are no monthly power bills to pay. As a result, in the long run, solar panels are cost-effective. Furthermore, if you install the best quality solar panels, you’re assured more than a decade of use. They also need little maintenance if they’ve been installed correctly.
However, if you’re thinking of installing solar panels at your home, there are several things that you need to consider. Read below a list of important things you should consider.
- Cost
The cost of a home solar power system is probably the first thing that most homeowners will check before going for a particular solar panel system. There are many manufacturers of solar panels out there. This can be confusing when identifying a quality solar panel that isn’t overpriced.
However, the good news is, due to the many manufacturers of solar panels, it’s generally believed that the price has been reduced by 60 percent. Therefore, if you were planning to power your house with solar energy instead of electricity, you may end up spending far much less than you would have a decade ago.
Before going for the cheapest option, research to know the best manufacturers and compare their prices. This is because some cheap solar panels might be of very low quality. But, new marketers might be having good offers that make their prices very affordable.
Check their warranty to see if it’s an option you can try and see their service within the warranty. Moreover, not all expensive solar panels are of high quality. That is why a manufacturer’s name can be of great help to you.
- Power Requirement
Different factors affect the amount of power you may need in your house. The number of rooms in your house is one of the main considerations. In addition, the number of people in the house will affect power consumption. Besides that, the kind of appliances you’ll use add to the level of power needed.
Heavy appliances or appliances that will be running 24/7 means that you need a solar panel that can support them. There are other usages of power which should also be considered. For instance, you may need to pump water into overhead storage tanks. This is an extra load to your power line.
In summary, the amount of power that’ll be needed in your house determines the kind of solar panel you’ll choose. On the one hand, if your power usage is high, you need a solar panel that can generate high energy levels. On the other hand, if your power need will be just for lighting, you may need to go for a small solar panel system.
- Identify A Good Installer
Solar panel systems might be expensive, especially if you go for high-power producing ones. As a result, you need to have an expert to do the installation work. If your system isn’t handled properly, it can result in damages. Moreover, a learner might poorly install your solar panels which could lead to the system not generating power. Therefore, you need someone who knows how to protect your solar panel system and avoid wastage of time through repeated work.
- Location
Here, the location may refer to where you’ll install your solar panel. It may also refer to the region where your home is located. These two factors affect the exposure of direct sunlight to your solar panels. Different solar panels behave differently when exposed to low levels of sunlight. Some will reduce the amount of power generated, while others will generate negligible power or shut down completely.
As a result, if you live in a mostly cloudy region or if tall trees or buildings surround your home, you need a solar panel that can work in such weather. So, you should be aware of these factors before purchasing your solar panel system.
- Nature Of Roof
There are different types of roofs. Even though this isn’t a big problem, some rooftops may not afford a quick installation of solar panels. In addition, some companies attach an after-sale installation service on composite shingles and not on Spanish tiles. If you have a Spanish tiled roof, you may need to look for a solar panel expert or pay for the installation service.
Conclusion
Solar panels offer a lot of benefits, including lesser monthly power bills. Aside from that, by having a solar panel system in your home, you can generate clean and sustainable energy. To get the right solar panel system for your needs, consider the things discussed in this article before installing one.
