How will you know if you’re ready for a solar installation at home?
As solar installations are becoming popular, it’s also getting easier to install them. In fact, there are plenty of do-it-yourself home solar system kits available in the market.
Solar system installation at home is also becoming cheaper.
This and the generous federal and state authorities offering tax credits and other incentives make switching to solar an ideal investment for many homeowners and business owners.
Since installing home solar panels is a big project that comes with many benefits, the joy is priced with a dollar sign.
We’ve put together 9 remarkable ways on how you can prepare your home for a solar installation so that you will make the most of your investment.
1. Connecting to the National Grid
Single-phase solar photovoltaic systems and three-phase systems do not usually require advanced permission from the utility company or the power company which maintains the local mains power network before you connect the solar PV system to the National Grid.
However, if you have a bigger solar system with multiple installations as may be the case for new builds, you will be required to ask permission from the Distribution Network Distributor before your solar system can be connected.
Accomplish the grid connection application as soon as you can to hasten the planning and design process for your solar system installation at home.
2. Changing Mains Electricity Suppliers
A solar installation at home will change the amount of mains electricity that you need to buy and the times you need to buy it.
To avoid delays and complications, you can make the move to change suppliers before the solar system installation at your home. You will need to take into account your new energy usage profile and the terms and conditions of the new agreement.
3. Secure Planning Permission
If your home is located within a conservation area or a sensitive area, planning permission is most often required.
The process can be lengthy so it is wise that you identify any special requirements if there are any.
Make a pre-planning inquiry with the local authority early in the design and planning stage so that you will be prepared.
4. Be Aware of Building Regulations and Structures
Solar installation at home needs to be in compliance with the building regulations in your locality.
This is to ensure safety and to maintain the structural integrity of your home.
You have to make sure that the underlying structure where the solar panel system will be installed will last as long as your system.
Remember that solar panel systems can operate for as long as 40 years plus, hence, the roofing supports, roofing materials, and any other support structures should also last that long. This will avoid more complicated and costly repairs in the future.
5. Determine If You Have the Right Roof
Solar panels need certain roofs to ensure maximized efficiency.
A good roof for solar panel installation at home should be at least 200 square feet and ideally 400 square feet. This will allow ample space for solar panels.
The orientation of the ideal roof would be to have one side facing south or southwest so that your solar system will have access to the most sunlight possible.
If the solar installer has assessed your roof and informed you that it’s not suitable for a solar system installation, you can still opt to have your solar panels on the ground as long as you have enough space as well.
6. Investigate Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Energy Saver suggested in their article, “Planning a Home Solar Electric System”, to investigate your energy use and consider potential efficiency upgrades when you have a solar installation at home.
You should be aware of how much energy you consume every month, and consider low-cost and easy-to-implement efficiency measures before you have a solar panel installation.
7. Know Your Solar Potential
The efficiency of solar panels will depend on how they are properly installed, the quality of the solar panel that you purchased, your location, and the orientation of your system.
Have your home assessed to know the potential solar energy that can be produced at your address. The amount of power generated by your solar system will depend on how much of the sun’s energy will reach your panels and the size of your system.
It is best that you work closely with a solar installer who can provide an accurate assessment of our solar potential including a detailed recommendation, estimate, and equipment expertise.
8. Understand the Ways You Can Pay For Your Solar Panel System and the Solar Incentives in Your Area
Depending on where you live, there are several options available on how you can finance your solar panel system.
You can pay in cash, obtain a solar loan that you pay in increments, or lease a solar system from your provider.
Take note, however, that solar incentives will only be given to those who purchase a system in cash because you will not own the system when you lease.
The federal tax credit is given throughout the U.S. when you purchase a solar system. It’s a 26% tax credit decrease.
9. Decide on Metering or Battery
Some states provide net metering incentives where you can send excess energy back to the grid in exchange for credits.
For this to happen, the utility company will need to install a production meter to measure the amount of electricity that your solar system produces.
You may also opt for keeping all the electricity that your system generates. In this case, you will have to include a solar battery during the solar system installation at your home.
Your solar installer can recommend the right battery option for you, including electrical inverters and integration equipment that will be needed.
This way, you can store excess power and use it at night or during overcast days.
Work With a Solar Installer and Utility
Can a homeowner install their own solar system? PV systems are inherently dangerous, thus, if you prefer to install your solar panels DIY, you must understand, respect, and mitigate the risk involved with all installation and maintenance tasks.
Pay attention to safety warnings, requirements in the local building and electrical codes, and details in the equipment instruction manual.
To ensure that your solar installation at home is safe and properly done, you will need to work with a solar installer and a licensed electrician to install and verify the critical aspects of your new energy system such as Small Energy Bill.
Get to know more about us and how we can help you install solar for your home. Contact us today.
—————————————— // ——————————–
Small Energy Bill is a solar company serving different counties in California. Our commitment to solar energy goes above and beyond all of our very simple criteria for worthy technologies.
We believe that a greener, more sustainable future is the most important considerations for any energy we put our weight behind.
9 Remarkable Ways on How to Prepare for a Solar Installation at Your Home
How will you know if you’re ready for a solar installation at home?
As solar installations are becoming popular, it’s also getting easier to install them. In fact, there are plenty of do-it-yourself home solar system kits available in the market.
Solar system installation at home is also becoming cheaper.
This and the generous federal and state authorities offering tax credits and other incentives make switching to solar an ideal investment for many homeowners and business owners.
Since installing home solar panels is a big project that comes with many benefits, the joy is priced with a dollar sign.
We’ve put together 9 remarkable ways on how you can prepare your home for a solar installation so that you will make the most of your investment.
1. Connecting to the National Grid
Single-phase solar photovoltaic systems and three-phase systems do not usually require advanced permission from the utility company or the power company which maintains the local mains power network before you connect the solar PV system to the National Grid.
However, if you have a bigger solar system with multiple installations as may be the case for new builds, you will be required to ask permission from the Distribution Network Distributor before your solar system can be connected.
Accomplish the grid connection application as soon as you can to hasten the planning and design process for your solar system installation at home.
2. Changing Mains Electricity Suppliers
A solar installation at home will change the amount of mains electricity that you need to buy and the times you need to buy it.
To avoid delays and complications, you can make the move to change suppliers before the solar system installation at your home. You will need to take into account your new energy usage profile and the terms and conditions of the new agreement.
3. Secure Planning Permission
If your home is located within a conservation area or a sensitive area, planning permission is most often required.
The process can be lengthy so it is wise that you identify any special requirements if there are any.
Make a pre-planning inquiry with the local authority early in the design and planning stage so that you will be prepared.
4. Be Aware of Building Regulations and Structures
Solar installation at home needs to be in compliance with the building regulations in your locality.
This is to ensure safety and to maintain the structural integrity of your home.
You have to make sure that the underlying structure where the solar panel system will be installed will last as long as your system.
Remember that solar panel systems can operate for as long as 40 years plus, hence, the roofing supports, roofing materials, and any other support structures should also last that long. This will avoid more complicated and costly repairs in the future.
5. Determine If You Have the Right Roof
Solar panels need certain roofs to ensure maximized efficiency.
A good roof for solar panel installation at home should be at least 200 square feet and ideally 400 square feet. This will allow ample space for solar panels.
The orientation of the ideal roof would be to have one side facing south or southwest so that your solar system will have access to the most sunlight possible.
If the solar installer has assessed your roof and informed you that it’s not suitable for a solar system installation, you can still opt to have your solar panels on the ground as long as you have enough space as well.
6. Investigate Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Energy Saver suggested in their article, “Planning a Home Solar Electric System”, to investigate your energy use and consider potential efficiency upgrades when you have a solar installation at home.
You should be aware of how much energy you consume every month, and consider low-cost and easy-to-implement efficiency measures before you have a solar panel installation.
7. Know Your Solar Potential
The efficiency of solar panels will depend on how they are properly installed, the quality of the solar panel that you purchased, your location, and the orientation of your system.
Have your home assessed to know the potential solar energy that can be produced at your address. The amount of power generated by your solar system will depend on how much of the sun’s energy will reach your panels and the size of your system.
It is best that you work closely with a solar installer who can provide an accurate assessment of our solar potential including a detailed recommendation, estimate, and equipment expertise.
8. Understand the Ways You Can Pay For Your Solar Panel System and the Solar Incentives in Your Area
Depending on where you live, there are several options available on how you can finance your solar panel system.
You can pay in cash, obtain a solar loan that you pay in increments, or lease a solar system from your provider.
Take note, however, that solar incentives will only be given to those who purchase a system in cash because you will not own the system when you lease.
The federal tax credit is given throughout the U.S. when you purchase a solar system. It’s a 26% tax credit decrease.
9. Decide on Metering or Battery
Some states provide net metering incentives where you can send excess energy back to the grid in exchange for credits.
For this to happen, the utility company will need to install a production meter to measure the amount of electricity that your solar system produces.
You may also opt for keeping all the electricity that your system generates. In this case, you will have to include a solar battery during the solar system installation at your home.
Your solar installer can recommend the right battery option for you, including electrical inverters and integration equipment that will be needed.
This way, you can store excess power and use it at night or during overcast days.
Work With a Solar Installer and Utility
Can a homeowner install their own solar system? PV systems are inherently dangerous, thus, if you prefer to install your solar panels DIY, you must understand, respect, and mitigate the risk involved with all installation and maintenance tasks.
Pay attention to safety warnings, requirements in the local building and electrical codes, and details in the equipment instruction manual.
To ensure that your solar installation at home is safe and properly done, you will need to work with a solar installer and a licensed electrician to install and verify the critical aspects of your new energy system such as Small Energy Bill.
Get to know more about us and how we can help you install solar for your home. Contact us today.
—————————————— // ——————————–
Small Energy Bill is a solar company serving different counties in California. Our commitment to solar energy goes above and beyond all of our very simple criteria for worthy technologies.
We believe that a greener, more sustainable future is the most important considerations for any energy we put our weight behind.