(Source: EIA)
Have you wondered about factors to consider when installing solar panels as a ‘to do list’ before the actual installation? Worry no more.
Solar panel installation will revolutionize your life. Most residents choose solar panels for homes to save on electric bills. Orange County solar is the most sought after by homeowners. It can be attributed to the best climate in California and the incentives that come with it.
Solar installation data from SEIA and census data show that California leads the nation at 44.92% of all homes with residential solar installation. California also leads the nation with total homes installed with solar power at 6.3M entire homes, contributing to the 24,464 MW of solar capacity.
Most homeowners make mistakes while shopping for solar hence experiencing solar panel rip-offs from low-quality providers. You should know of the various solar panel types, and your solar installation company should guide you to make the best decision based on your needs.
If you are thinking of installing solar panels yourself, we would advise against this. Note that solar installation is a significant factor in the durability of solar panels. This article is meant to show you what to know before installing solar panels and questions to ask before installing solar panels.
You will know more about the roofing and the weight of solar panels on roofing, and whether you should replace your roof before installing solar panels. If you are curious to know the average cost of installing solar panels, we’ll get that answered.
Let’s get into the main business of the day, shall we?
Here is what we will show you;
- Home assessment by solar experts
- Your electric bill
- Financing the solar panels
- Solar cost
- How much will solar save you?
- Solar panel types
- The durability of the solar panel
Home Assessment by Solar Experts
(Source: Steemit)
Before solar panels are installed, it is necessary to assess whether your house is suitable for solar. Whether your home is a fit for solar determines the price of the solar system.
For residential solar installation, you need to get an assessment from your solar provider. You cannot decide on your own whether solar will be ideal for your home. Here is an overview of three things to determine your eligibility:
- Does your roof receive enough sunlight? Remember that solar energy is entirely dependent on sunlight. Therefore, your roof should be accessing maximum rays from the sun.
- The electricity cost in your region. Remember that the higher the electric cost, the more you’ll need to go solar! Aren’t we all looking to save a buck? Solar will save you money.
- Where does your roof face? Roofs that face the southern side have more time in the sun. Therefore, you could purchase fewer solar panels and still have maximum energy production for your home.
Should I Replace My Roof Before Installing Solar Panels?
After reading the above determinants that are key to looking at your homes’ eligibility to go solar, you will realize that roofing is essential. However, some instances will call for a change in roofing, such as damaged roofs that could leak and spoil the solar panels.
Roofs that are too old can be a hindrance to successful solar panel installations. Experts on solar installation in Orange County will advise you to change old roofs as they are a danger to the solar performance.
The weight of solar panels on the roof may damage it fast, causing damage to the solar panel too. It is best to have durable roofing. It will be in the best interest of your home. You must get value for your money and have the solar panel last for more than 20 years.
Your Electric Bill
If you have a high electricity bill, you have every reason to go solar! On the other hand, if you have ticked all the boxes justifying that your home is ideal for solar panels installation, and has a low electricity bill, then that could be turning you off.
Most solar companies prefer customers with an energy bill of more than $75/month for it to be worth it.
If you have high energy use hence paying a high electric bill, your need for Orange County Solar is urgent. The goal is that you save money from the solar installation.
Note that the more you pay for electricity, the faster the panels will pay themselves off. Thus, homes with low power usage won’t save significant amounts of money by going solar.
Financing the Solar Panels
Before you go solar, financing is one of the main factors to consider when installing solar panels. Homeowners have many options for financing solar panels. As you do your research, you will find leasing options and ownership loan packages.
You will choose one that fits you best. All in all, it’s essential to understand all the financing options and make a decision based on your budget and your desired solar savings. Remember that California has favorable incentives and tax credits for homeowners who install solar.
Incentives and tax credits are some of the questions to ask before installing solar panels. When you hire a solar installation company, they will explain and advise you further on the best incentive to apply because there are terms and conditions that apply for every home.
Solar Cost
You may wonder, what is the average cost of installing solar panels? The initial cost of buying and installing solar is high. A new solar system that caters to 100 percent of the average American household energy usage will typically cost around $22,000.
However, the cost is directly affected by the amount of energy used in your home. That means your home could need a system that costs well above or below that price.
It is prudent to visit a solar provider for a quotation to find out if it meets your budget. A solar company can estimate the cost of your solar panel by looking at your energy consumption for the last 6 months.
Further, did you know that you don’t have to purchase a system that covers 100 percent of your energy bill? Although recommended, you can easily customize your solar system to produce anywhere from 25 percent to 100 percent of your electricity bill.
The price of solar can also be affected by the provider. Remember that you can also apply some energy-saving tips in order to save more energy.
How Much Will Solar Save You?
(Source: SEIA)
When homeowners hear about the high initial solar installation cost, the first question is usually whether you will find value for your investment. You know, it will be more pleasing to know that an expensive investment will save you a lot more in the long run.
Solar companies always calculate how much a homeowner can save by going solar. Your savings are determined by several factors.
First, if you decide to own your solar panel in California, you are entitled to the federal solar tax credit. The ITC allows residential owners to take 26% of the total cost of their solar system and apply it as a tax credit in the following year. For example, if you purchase a $20,000 system, you’ll be able to take $5,200 off your taxes the following year.
The second is the source of your solar financing. A lease deal will only allow you as a homeowner to save a few dollars a month, while a cash purchased system will give you 100% of your power bill back into your pocket.
If you are buying your panels with a loan, the loan payment would ideally be lower than your monthly power bill, allowing automatic monthly savings. After ownership, the typical solar panels on an optimal home will pay themselves off in 6-8 years.
Solar Panel Types
It is essential to know what to consider before installing solar panels. This is because knowledge is essential and will save you from solar panel rip-offs. Also, remember that you cannot install solar panels by yourself; it needs an expert who has comprehensive knowledge of solar installation.
Solar panels are continually changing in size, power production, and efficiency, so it’s important to know what is available on the market. Residential owners have more preferences regarding the look of the panel rather than the technology within the solar panel.
There are various options, like black panels, blue panels, mounted panels, and solar shingles, to name a few.
All panels have a kilowatt-hour (KwH) number that is listed with them that shows how many kilowatts a solar panel will produce per hour in the sun. Typically, the higher the number, the more expensive the board.
Your installation provider will explain the solar types in order to help you settle for the best quality.
The Durability of the Solar Panel
(Source: BusinessWire)
Good quality and properly installed solar panels should last you 20-25 years. For the most part, most solar companies claim that their solar panels will produce at a profitable efficiency for at least 25 years. This means that your solar panels will suffer a slight degradation over time, which is about 0.8-1.2 percent per year of original efficiency.
The degradation is often caused by dirt, pollen, and other external factors. That is why you should be consistent with solar panel maintenance and cleaning. Do not postpone any issue for later fixing; deal with it immediately.
Although your panels will become slightly less efficient over time, it’s important to remember that the degradation won’t be significant until several decades of high-efficiency production. The 20 years of durability will need you to constantly maintain the solar panels.
Most accredited solar companies will offer warranties on energy, workmanship, and panel warranties upon purchase. You should read your contract to ensure that it covers you in case of damage and also solar maintenance.
Your solar installation company should be able to give you about a 10-year workmanship warranty, which means that they will fix any improper installs or damage to your solar array up to ten years after purchase.
Ready to Reap the Rewards of Having Solar Panels in your Home? The Next Step is To Go Solar!
One of the most critical decisions when considering solar is which company to hire. If you’ve already considered solar and put in some research, you know that there are thousands of solar companies to choose from. However, price shopping takes time and effort, and you never know whether you’re getting the best deal possible.
There are many factors to consider before going solar, including solar panel types, should you replace the roof before solar panel installation, avoiding solar panel rip-offs, and also the effect of the weight of solar panels on top.
Solar Installation Orange County continues to grow in leaps and bounds. Thank you to the all-around sunny climate in California. No, you cannot install solar panels by yourself; you may do more harm than good.
With the above information, we believe the article has enlightened you on the questions to ask before your solar panels installation and what you should know before solar panel installation.
Enlightened Solar is at your service as you look forward to installing your residential solar installation. You are making the right decision in having solar panels for your home. We have done solar installation in Orange County for a long time and will advise you further!
Before installation, we shall visit your home for assessment and offer advice on the solar panels you need. In addition, you will benefit from our warranty on workmanship, enabling us to give you solar panels maintenance for up to 10 years.
Contact us for a quote! And see our wide range of services.