Home Improvement

4 Tips to Prepare Your Home for a Solar Panel Installation

Having a firm decision to shift and use solar panels for clean energy use is not only big news. It is also a powerful move that shows one’s care for the environment. If you’re someone who spent years researching, understanding, and embracing how beneficial it would be to shift to clean energy, you’re indeed a modern-day hero.

For people who don’t fully understand how big of a change it is, here’s a simple analogy. You went to the doctor and found out that you only have 3 months left to live. But, there’s something you can do about it. You have to give up pork and meat for the rest of your life and go vegetarian because it’s the only way to regain your health and to live for 15 years more. 

Isn’t it sort of a revolution to have a firm decision to finally be a better inhabitant of the Earth? You’re probably psyched to start your solar journey now. Since you’re investing a huge chunk of money in solar panels, it’s important to make the most out of it. 

To ensure that you benefit from and have an efficient home solar system, here are 4 tips to prepare you and your home for a solar panel installation

1. Know your energy consumption rate

First and foremost, you should have an accurate rate of your electrical usage. Before you seal the deal on the number and size of solar panels for your home, make sure that you have the right figures as a basis for your electrical usage.

One thing you surely wouldn’t want to happen is to either spend so much on additional panels that you won’t be needing or spend more than your allocated budget because you need more panels for your home. To avoid this, contact your energy contractor. Ask for your electricity consumption percentage for the last 3 to 5 years. This will help you gauge the right number and size of panels that will work for you and your home. 

Once you know your energy consumption rate, inform your solar panel company about it. This will give them a good estimate on the right panel type and size that could provide you with the right amount of energy you need. Also, take this moment to consult and plan where the solar panels could be placed best. 

2. Check your roof condition and make necessary repairs if needed

You know that solar panels are made to last for more than 2 decades. You see, you’re investing in something that will last for 20 to 30 years if taken care of properly. Normally, roof conditions start to rot and deface as early as 6 months to a year upon its construction. If your house is old, you have to make some changes to your roof. 

It would be such a waste to invest so much of your money on the solar panel just to have them placed on a rotted and destroyed roof. Before you have any panel installed on your home, make sure to make the necessary changes needed. This is to ensure that your roof can provide a good place for the panels to sit on for the next 20 years. 

Know that if your roof starts to show signs of condition declination, there’s a possibility that your solar panels’ efficiency might be affected. Not only would it cost you to spend unnecessary expenses, but also, affect the performance of your home solar system.

3. Check the surroundings where the solar panel will be installed and ensure that it is a spot where sunlight shines through

The thing that will make or break the efficiency of your clean energy agenda is none other than sunlight. After all, that’s the purpose of your solar panels: to collect energy emitted by the sun. Without daylight, your home won’t have any energy to convert and use for your needs.

If you already have a place where you plan your panels to be installed, check their surroundings. Are there any trees that could get in the way of the sun’s rays? Maybe you can consider relocating the trees to another area. Does your neighbor’s house block the area where you plan the panels to be installed? Maybe you should reconsider another installation place if that’s the case.

For those who have these problems, but are eager to shift to clean energy, you can set up a tent-like roof on your front lawn or other spaces where enough sunlight shines through. Then, you can have the solar panels installed there instead of on your roof. That way, you won’t have to worry about the condition of the roof and panels. Also, it would be easier to clean and have the panels checked from time to time. 

Of course, consider that tip only if you no longer have an option for your panels. More importantly, wherever you plan them to be installed, make sure that it is the best place where the solar panels can effectively collect sunlight. This way, you get to have a seamless solar energy experience.

4. Check if your home appliances are compatible and ready for solar energy use

Some might wonder, can solar panels effectively power all types of appliances? The answer is Yes. But, you’ll need an inverter to do so. Since most of the appliances sold on the market are designed for the energy voltage that we use, the current collected by the solar panels may or may not be compatible for some.

Before you have your panels installed, check your home appliances. See if you’ll need to purchase an inverter so that you can automatically power them with solar power seamlessly. Take this opportunity to also check how much energy some appliances use. If you have an older appliance, it likely requires a lot of energy.

Since your solar panels can only collect much (depending on the size and your energy needs), maybe replacing an old appliance or bringing them in for repair would be a great choice. This can help you make the most of your collected energy and avoid wasting them unnecessarily. Should you wish to keep all of your appliances, you can freely do so. You can buy a solar battery instead, in case you need extra energy for emergency use.

Check everything thoroughly before conducting the installation

There you have it! The 4 simple tips discussed above are just some of the common and easy guides that you can follow before your solar panel installation. Remember, check everything that needs to be checked. Don’t rush into the installation just for the sake of it.

If you need to make some changes and adjustments, do so and take all the time you need. Congrats on your decision to be a better earthling! Mother Earth is surely smiling right now because of your courageous and heartfelt decision. Best of luck in your clean energy journey!

Bianca Banda

Bianca Banda is an ardent writer, aiming to share helpful information and ideas effectively and engagingly.

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