The solar boom has brought down the costs and boosted the accessibility of residential solar systems. It’s more realistic than ever for homeowners to make sustainable energy a part of their lives. If you’re thinking about going solar, you know that installing a solar module requires a sizeable upfront investment that pays itself off in monthly energy savings. But beyond the basics, here are some facts you need to know before you make your decision.
Some Houses Are Better Suited for Solar Panels than Others
A house that is ideal for solar energy has an unshaded roof with a large, south-facing pitch where the panels can be mounted. But Modernize wants you to know that your house doesn’t have to be the perfect picture of solar-ready for the investment to be worth it—you can always find ways to make it work. If you have a flat roof, you will need to mount the panels at an angle for optimal exposure to the sun. If your roof space isn’t quite expansive enough or is shaded by trees or another building, you can build a secondary structure that will hold the panels, such as a carport.
Along the same lines, remember that living in a frequently cloudy or cool climate doesn’t automatically preclude you from being able to use solar a solar system efficiently.
Incentives Will Lighten Your Load
Before you take a look at the costs and make your decision, research incentives and tax credits. The government offers payments for solar users known as a “Feed-In Tariff” (FIT), and you can also sell back any unused units to that energy supplier for extra savings. Now is a better time than ever to take advantages of these opportunities.
You Can Lease or Own
The choice to own your system or lease it from a provider is one that should depend on your particular situation. If you think you may be moving before your system warranty is out, buying may be the better option; prospective buyers are happy to pay more for a host-owned solar system, but not many of them want to take on a lease. However, leasing may be better if you do not qualify for FIT. Weigh your options carefully before deciding.
Grid-Connected Systems are the Most Popular
When many people think of solar, they think of total independence from utility companies. But grid-tied systems have become more and more popular due to the fact that they don’t require a costly storage battery. You can sell any unused energy you generate back to utility companies. Off-grid systems are better suited for rural homes and businesses.
Solar Systems Require Little Maintenance
Solar panels are constructed of durable material that has no trouble weathering the years on your rooftop. In fact, throughout your system’s twenty-to-thirty-year warrantied lifetime, the most maintenance you may need to do is hosing off the panels or clearing debris every now and then. The technology, though clever, is straightforward and reliable. Just like you can expect to save immediately when you implement solar power, you can also expect it to last you for at least two decades—well beyond the time it takes you to pay it off.
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