Should I Go Solar?

Going solar is a breakthrough for your home and your family. Not only will your wallet thank you, but so will the environment. Solar is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, but what does it take for a family to go solar? There are just a few things to consider before starting the process.

Do You Own Your Home?

Don’t worry, you can still go solar if you don’t, but you would have to go through the process with your landlord. There are many different factors as to why you have to own your home in order to install solar panels, so it is always easier to go solar if you are the homeowner. 

If you want to convince your landlord to go solar, let them know that going solar will increase their property value without adding to their taxes. It’s a tough deal to beat! 

What’s the shade situation?

A little shade is always okay! A few trees blocking the sun a couple hours a day won’t affect your system. However, If you notice that the trees on your property are shading the majority of your roof for more than half the day, we recommend trimming them back or removing them in order to get the full benefits of going solar. 

How Much Do You Spend On Electricity Each Month?

We understand that for many families, going solar is a money-saving adventure. That’s why we want to make sure that we are transparent when explaining the different factors that go into saving money with solar. Some areas have high electricity rates, which make solar worth more in the long run. We recommend solar for those who regularly spend over $99 per month on their utilities. This way, we know you’re getting the best deal.

What Kind of Roof Do You Have & Does It Need To Be Replaced?

Age

Solar panel systems last a long time, in fact, some systems installed in the 80s are still up and running! If your home’s roof is towards the end of its life, you should replace it prior to any solar project. Replacing your roof before your solar install certainly has its advantages: for one, you avoid uninstalling and reinstalling your solar panel system in order to work on the roof. Additionally, solar panels can help lengthen the life of your new roof, since they provide a durable cover. 

If your roof isn’t quite close enough to the end to be replaced, have no fear! Excel Home Solar will be here to remove and replace your system, we even know a roof guy or two. 

Material

Thanks to years of research and development, you can install solar panels on most roofing materials, including standing seam metal, clay tile, asphalt, and rubber. 

Two of the more difficult roofing materials to install on are slate and wood: because of how brittle both materials are, the installation process is more delicate than with other materials and requires specialized equipment (which can be costly). Because of this, most companies like ours would recommend ground-mounted solar for families with these roof types. 

Space

In order to create a custom system for your home that will save you money and power your home, you need room for enough panels to offset the cost of your electricity. For the average household, this is a minimum of 10 panels. If your roof is oddly shaped or has embellishments that take up a lot of space, you may not have enough room for the system you need .

Tilt

We can install solar on a flat roof, but installing solar panels on a flat roof typically requires more space since you need to tilt and stagger the rows of panels for optimal electricity production. Tilted solar panels are important for the system to be  self-cleaning.

On the other end, panels that are installed on a steep roof generally produce less electricity and are more difficult to install. As a rule of thumb, anywhere between 30 to 45 degrees is the optimal tilt for most solar panel systems.

So, does your home sound like a good fit for solar? Set up a FREE in-home solar consultation today by clicking below!