Before you buy, is a solar installation right for you?

A solar installation is a big investment for any home or business. Before you buy, you need to be certain that a solar installation is right for you and will fit your power needs. Ask these questions before you invest in solar energy.

Is your site appropriate?

You’ll need to assess your site to make sure it’s ideal for solar installation. A trained solar installer can help you determine that your site has the qualities needed for generating solar power. Not only will the site and landscape need assessed, your roof will also need evaluated. In homes and businesses with aging roofs, it may be a good idea to invest in a new roof before having the solar installation started.

You should also consider the future of your site. If expansion is in the future, you’ll need to make sure your future plans won’t disrupt the functioning of the solar installation. If you anticipate using solar energy to power the expansion, you should also consider how to integrate the solar installation with the new addition now.

What size system do you need?

Oversizing or undersizing your new solar installation won’t help you use your funds efficiently. You’ll need to evaluate your home’s current electricity needs as well as account for changing needs in the future. If you’re not ready to switch completely to solar energy, size the system to accurately supplement your home or business’s electric utility usage. A skilled solar installer can be a huge help, and can work with you to determine the proper size for your solar installation.

Can you afford the cost?

Solar installations are expensive. Luckily, there are many programs which can help you cut that cost. Federal tax credits are available for homeowners who install solar systems at home, which can be good for up to 30 percent of the installation costs. Many states and utility companies offer programs which give rebates or credits which can further lower the cost to you. You may be eligible to receive a loan to help you pay upfront costs. Solar leases are another option that may be chosen which can eliminate upfront costs.

All about solar gardens and virtual net metering

Communities around the country are beginning to take advantage of solar photovoltaic power. Some communities utilize a solar garden, where solar photovoltaic panels are installed in a location other than the homes of those who use the power. Subscribers can sign up to co-own or lease a portion of the solar photovoltaic setup to receive its benefits. Solar gardens and net metering make it possible for homeowners to use solar power even if their home sites are less than ideal for installation.

In a solar photovoltaic system owned by the homeowner, net metering allows the homeowner to sell unused energy back to the utility gird. In a shared system, virtual net metering allows these energy credits to be shared between all the parties subscribed to the system. Unfortunately, solar garden subscribers aren't always eligible to receive these credits because the solar photovoltaic equipment isn't directly attached to their homes or buildings.

The growth of solar garden installation is creating new challenges for solar experts as well as legislators. These issues weren't a problem when systems were owned by single owners. With more communally-owned solar photovoltaic systems being developed each day, changes to the virtual net metering system are needed to allow members to receive the same benefits as single owners.

Luckily, some legislators are starting to realize this flaw of the virtual net metering system. New legislation is being passed in many states to allow solar garden subscribers to also receive the benefits of net metering.

To learn more about solar gardens and virtual net metering, call the solar photovoltaic experts at Smith Sustainable Design.

Solar panels for homes and your homeowner’s association

If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, you know there are regulations which dictate what you can and cannot do on your property. Some homeowners associations are making it harder for homeowners to install solar panels for homes. While this may seem unreasonable to homeowners, a few of the reasons why homeowners associations are against solar panels for homes are listed below.

Solar panels for homes aren't aesthetically pleasing

Today’s solar panels for homes don’t look anything like the big, bulky units that first came out decades ago. Unfortunately, many homeowners associations are living in the past, and still view solar panels as ugly. Today’s solar panels for homes have come a long way and manufacturers have made great improvements to the look of home solar panels, so this should really be a non-issue for a homeowners association.

Some homeowners associations don’t like change

Some homeowners associations are reluctant to chance their policies. This may be because the board members don’t want the change. Whether it’s solar panels for homes or another change being pushed through, some people just aren't agreeable to change.

Homeowners associations are uneducated about solar panels for homes

Since this technology has really been gaining popularity in the last decade, not everyone is educated about the advantages and benefits solar panels for homes offer. To some who aren't aware of how the systems work, it may just seem like homeowners are wanting to switch utility providers, rather than give themselves the power to generate their own electricity. There are also many misconceptions about electric solar energy that can be a turn-off to those making the rules, such as the expense and the capabilities of solar technology. If board members don’t have all the facts about solar panels for homes, they are less likely to change the rules for homeowners wanting to install them.

Why choose electric solar energy

Many home and business owners today are choosing electric solar energy to provide the power they need each day. This clean and abundant energy source is widely available wherever you are, but previously, the upfront costs have turned off many. Luckily, costs are declining and attitudes are changing, making electric solar energy more popular than ever.

Electric solar energy systems are ideal for most homes and businesses. These systems empower home and business owners, giving them the ability to generate much, if not all, the electricity needed to power everyday needs and operations. Generating energy rather than paying a utility company for it also offers significant savings, and can help system owners recoup the cost of equipment and installation. Plus, electric solar energy system owners won’t be vulnerable to rate increases from utility providers.

Choosing to install an electric solar energy system can also increase home values. For every dollar in energy savings the system generates each year, the United States Department of Energy reports that the system can add $10 to $20 to the value of your home. Plus, the protection created by roof mounted solar panels can protect your roofing materials, making your roof last longer.

Installing an electric solar energy system at your home or business doesn’t only benefit you, it also benefits the environment. Using solar energy means less fossil fuels must be used, which saves these limited natural resources while cutting carbon dioxide emissions. These systems have great benefits to our country as well. They help us cut back on plant produced power, which add a great amount of pollutants to our air in production. Using electric solar energy systems also limits our dependence on foreign oil to power our home and business needs. Electric solar energy systems create many new jobs for your neighbors as well, from manufacturing to installation.