Important Considerations to Think About Before Installing Solar Panels

Maybe your electric bill is astronomical, then again, maybe you just want to do good for the environment, but whatever your reasoning may be, you’ve ultimately, come to the conclusion that you want to have solar panels installed on your home.

Now, having solar panels installed on your home is definitely a great thing, and will not only lower your electric bill but’s also going to do a lot of good for the environment as well in reference to your home’s energy consumption. But have you done all the research you can on this matter? Have you really looked at all your options?

This isn’t necessarily to sway you away from solar panel installation but more so to help ensure you’re making the right decision. Here are some important things you need to know before having solar panels installed on your home.

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Considerations to think about before having solar panels put on your home

Solar panels aren’t the only way for you to utilize solar power

Did you know that there are other ways you can use solar power in your home without the installation of solar panels on your roof or in your yard? If you didn’t know that, it’s okay… a lot of people don’t know this.

In certain areas like New York, you don’t have to resort to solar panels on your roof. In fact, the best alternative to rooftop solar in New York is community solar. This is where a solar panel farm is placed in a rural area that gets lots of sun. This solar farm then generates electricity from the sun and flows that electricity to the grid, thus providing electricity into your homes… Simple concept, and it doesn’t require the installation of solar panels!

The condition of your roof

Before making the decision to have solar panels installed and going through the process for that, you need to first have your roof inspected to see if it’s even in the right condition to safely and securely hold solar panels.

Solar panels aren’t lightweight, and if your roof can’t handle the weight of the panels, there’s an increased risk that your roof could collapse due to the panels being too heavy. This is not only dangerous but will be extremely costly, causing more damage to your home than you even knew possible. Get in contact with a professional roofer to assess your roof and determine if additional roof support is needed to complete the panel installation, or if it’s recommended at all.

Read more: How many solar panels can fit on roof?

Maintenance of the panels

Once you have the panels installed, it’s not just a one and done type of thing… Once you have those panels installed it’s your responsibility to ensure they’re maintained, meaning severe weather can damage the panels and you also need to keep them clean so they can harness the sun’s energy to the fullest capacity. The question is are you going to be able to maintain them?

These are just a few considerations to think about, but now that you know these things, do you still want solar panels installed? 

Read more: Should solar power be a priority in your next roof remodel?

Written by Billy Guteng. February 5, 2021

Billy was born in France, and has lived in multiple cities around the world ever since. He loves art, design and architecture and he supports the KUKUN team as a content provider.