4 Things To Know About Your Home When Adding Solar Panels
Do you want to add solar panels to your home and are ready to take the first step? You'll definitely want to know the following things about your home before you contact a solar panel installer in your area for more information.
The Direct Sunlight
You should start by looking at your home and determining how much direct sunlight it gets per day. Each solar panel system is going to be different with how much direct sunlight is required, but you do need to have it in general. Look at the nearby trees that could be creating shade on your roof, and get a rough estimate of the direct sunlight it receives across the entire day.
Even if your home is in the shade, know that it is still possible to use solar panels. The solar panels will not be able to generate as much electricity as they could, but they will offset the energy usage from the local electric company.
The Roof Size
You'll also want to determine the size of your roof so that you have a good idea of how much space can be used for solar panels. This can be done by simply multiplying the width and the length of each part of the roof. Make sure to note which sections of the roof receive direct sunlight as well, since those areas will be the primary location for solar panels.
The Home's Energy Usage
It's important to look at your historical energy bills over the past couple of years to see how much electricity you actually use. You don't want to be focused on the price of your bills but on the actual amount of kilowatts used per month in the different seasons.
A large household is going to have bigger electricity needs than a small household, which can have a big impact on the type and quantity of solar panels that are recommended to you. More people are using electricity so that must be factored into your needs. The amount of energy used to cool a home is also a big factor in the summer, with a bigger home using more energy to make it feel comfortable.
The Roof's Condition
Do some research to determine how old the roof is on your home. That's because it may not be a wise idea to install solar panels on a roof that will soon need to be replaced. It is even a good idea to get a roof inspection to determine any potential problems that need to be repaired prior to getting solar panels.
Contact a local solar panel service to learn more.