Now is a great time to add solar panels to your home and take advantage of the many benefits they provide you. Energy researchers report prices for the panels are down, and competition between solar companies often means an
additional discount on the cost. In addition, the FHA is helping homeowners finance the investment through its Energy Efficient Mortgage, enabling you to add up to $8,000 to your loan to pay for energy-efficient home
improvements. To discover other potential money-saving discounts, rebates, and tax credits, schedule a solar energy consultation with Clean Choice Solar. Here are a few things to consider when deciding if solar panels are a good fit for your
home.
What Are the Benefits of Installing Solar Panels?
Adding solar panels to your home offers many benefits to you and the environment.
They:
● Save you money on your monthly energy bill or eliminate it completely
● Give you additional income when you sell your excess power to your local utility company
● Provide a great return on your initial investment in as little as eight years
● Protect your home from power outages or rolling blackouts in your local area
● Enable you to live in a remote or rural area
● Reduce your dependence on fossil fuels traditionally used to generate energy in the United States
● Increase the resale value of your home by 4.1%, according to a recent study
● Help the environment as they are a renewable energy source that doesn't release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
What Are the Roof Requirements?
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to live in a sunny southern state to benefit from solar panels on your home. Clean Choice Solar shares roof specifications for the best results:
Orientation - Your solar panels absorb the most sunshine when installed on roofs that face south. Putting them
towards the east or west will still work but generate about 20% less electricity. If most of your roof faces north, your best option is to install the panels on the ground or another surface, such as a carport or garage.
Tilt - You will achieve the best results from your panels if they are installed at a 30-degree tilt. Don't despair if this
isn't possible on your roof, as having a tilt of 5 degrees only lowers your energy production by 10%. It is possible to have moving panels installed that follow the path of the sun throughout the day.
What Is the Installation Process?
Adding solar panels to your home is best left to a professional solar contractor instead of attempting to complete the
project on your own. This professional also calculates how many panels you need to power your home to ensure you get the maximum benefit from the system.
On your install day, you can expect about five employees from your chosen contractor to arrive with all the equipment needed for your system. This includes a mix of certified electricians and professional solar installers.
During the installation, panel mounts are secured to your roof with steel bolts drilled into the roof rafters. Then, the solar panels are fastened to the mount and connected to your electrical supply. Your new system should be completed in one day and ready for your use. It is worth your time to look at the benefits, roof requirements, and installation process to help you decide if solar
panels are a great fit for your home. With lower prices on panels and installation along with the available tax rebates, now is a great time to go solar.
Ray Flynn for Clean Choice Solar
