In addition to your site assessment, there are other factors
you need to consider when preparing to install solar panels for your home. The
Environmental Protection Agency has set certain specifications to help you out
when it comes to preparing a new home for solar installation, or adding solar
power to your existing home. These are just a few modifications which may need
done to your home to ease the installation of your solar panels.
Install Solar Panels: Structure
& Safety
Find the load ratings for your home’s roof; you’ll need to
know the maximum live load and dead load ratings to make sure your roof can
support the weight of the solar panels. Also, the pitch of your roof (how steep
it is) may indicate the need for a permanent roof anchor safety system, which
will protect against falls.
Install Solar Panels: Prep Your Home
You’ll need an area to mount your solar system’s inverter
and other components. Designate a 4’x4’ plywood area specifically for this
equipment. You’ll also need a 1-inch metal conduit ran from where the array of
solar panels will be installed to the area you’ve designated for your inverter.
Your solar panel system will need a properly sized dual-pole circuit breaker, which
can be added to your home’s electrical panel.
It’s a good idea to know the additional components of the
solar panel system so you can prep your home ahead of time. If you’re building
a new home and intend to install solar panels, these items may be addressed
during the construction process. Retrofitting solar panels for existing homes
can be done with some modifications, depending on the structure. If you’d like
to know more about preparing your home to install solar panels, call Smith
Sustainable Design. Our trained solar experts can assess your home and help you
plan for solar panel installation.
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