Solar Panel Home Installation
Solar powered homes were scoffed at just a decade ago, but with rising energy costs, tax incentives and dwindling natural resources, they have become a hit with homeowners. These can trap the energy of the sun and convert it to power your rooms and offices. This will decrease your household carbon footprint by about 31,000 pounds each year. Do you know how many trees have to be planted to offset that amount? A whopping 88!
So if you want to do your bid to make our environment cleaner and greener, start preparing your home for the panels. However, if this is the first time you are going for solar panel home installation, then you need to keep a few things in mind to prepare your home.
Preparing a home for solar panel home installation
The main thing to consider first is to figure out whether your home is suitable for solar panels or not. Your location will matter especially if it is shaded by trees or other obstructions that will keep the panels from charging completely. Even the smallest issue can make your home unsuitable and make the installation more difficult.
The following are some important considerations you should take into account:
• The make and quality of the roof is a factor that very few homeowners consider before calling solar installers. This step is necessary because the material and type of roof you have will have an effect on the cost and type of panels you get. For instance if you have Spanish tiles on your roof, the installation will not be cheap.
• The panels have to be completely exposed to the sun to work properly because even the slightest shade can compromise energy capacity. Typically, the panels have to face the southern sky for this to be possible but you can ask your solar provider how you can angle the panels on your roof to benefit from them fully if your home is not located ideally.
How to upgrade a home for solar panel home installation
In order to prepare your home for installation of your new solar panels, you will need to consult with a professional building inspector. They will let you know if your building is structurally sound and if it can withstand the weight of the solar arrays without caving in.
Since the surface and weigh of the surface area of the roof is utilized during the installation process, your installers should keep the material they use on the roof in check. This is important in case the roof needs to be repaired after the panels have been set in place.
If that is the case then the panels will have to be removed again so it would be a good idea to order repairs or replacement before adopting the solar system for your home. While these upgrades may not be as extensive as a complete remodeling project, the solar installers may have to do some extra prep work before they can get started.
However, even though most solar panels are mounted on south facing roofs, those that are located east to west or are completely flat are also acceptable. Installers can then position the arrays at the ideal angles for maximum efficiency and capacity.
For solar panel home installation, your roof should have a separate nook or cabinet which can be used to store the battery along with BOS equipment and electrical inverters that come with it. The BOS or balance of system equipment is necessary for the integration of the solar modules in your home’s existing electrical system.