Across the globe, more than 447 gigawatts of new solar photovoltaic capacity came online in 2023, an 87 percent jump from the previous year. Due to advances in technology, along with government incentives, solar is making sense to more people. If you are learning everything you can about solar power for your home or business, it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, there are some basic questions for solar installers, the answers to which can point you in the right direction. This article covers major things to ask about solar panels. If you are considering installation, keep reading for some useful solar panel FAQs and related answers.
Is My House or Business Building Right for Solar?
There are several things to look at when considering if your building is suited for solar energy production. Three of the main ones are your roof’s orientation, slope, and size.
In general, if you live in the northern hemisphere, south-facing surfaces will get the most sunlight throughout the day. East- and west-facing roofs can produce a fair amount of solar power as well, but with slightly diminished efficiency.
You also need to consider the slope of your roof. Exceedingly steep roofs may not be able to angle solar panels to directly catch the sun’s rays. Angles between 15 and 40 degrees are preferable.
Assess the size of your roof as well. Larger ones can accommodate more panels and produce more energy. If you have a smaller roof, the best option may be choosing solar panels that are more efficient relative to size and weight.
Finally, consider whether you live in an area with a lot of sunlight or one that is often overcast. Think about obstacles, such as trees or nearby buildings, that could obstruct the sun’s rays from reaching rooftop panels.
What Is My Home’s Energy Consumption?
Home energy consumption is another important thing to look at. If you have very high energy bills, solar power can offset those costs.
There is another aspect to consumption as well, related to how you will use solar energy throughout the day. To be clear: any amount of solar energy can supplement the power you would otherwise buy from a utility. However, if you use more energy in off-peak production hours, you might consider batteries for energy storage and availability.
If you produce more energy than you need, determine if your state and utility allow net metering. This is where energy companies buy solar power from homeowners to then resell on the grid.
How Much Money Will Solar Save?
One of the main things home or business owners want to know is exactly how much solar will save them on their monthly utility bills. Some of the factors discussed in the first section can help answer this.
Also, there are online estimators that can get you started. These use your building’s average monthly energy usage and costs to calculate how much different-sized solar power systems can offset that.
However, most reputable solar panel installers will give you a much more accurate estimate, and do it for free. They can discuss with you distinct configurations, and go over options that will yield different energy output levels and associated savings.
Ask About Payment and Leasing Options
One of the most important things to ask about solar panels is purchasing options. There are advantages to both leasing and buying solar panel systems outright. Here are the pros and cons to consider.
Buying Solar Panels
One of the main reasons to buy solar panels is it is a good investment. It adds value to your home and can entice prospective buyers with the ability to produce clean energy.
One of the biggest reasons to buy solar panels is to access federal, state, and local tax incentives. These can go a long way towards offsetting the upfront costs.
For instance, currently there is a federal tax credit of 30 percent of system and installation costs, which runs through 2032. You might check with installers to see if there are state or local incentives that can further aid in the solar system’s purchase. For instance, top-rated solar panel installation services in Indiana can give you location-specific information about how much you can expect to receive in credits, rebates, or other incentives.
The biggest downside to purchasing panels is the significant upfront investment. Another con is that you will need to pay for maintenance and repairs. Finally, solar panel systems become less efficient as they age, so they can depreciate over time.
Leasing Perhaps the biggest incentive for leasing solar panels is avoiding the upfront costs. Another advantage is that the solar company owns the panels. This means they are responsible for maintenance and repairs of them.
Also, like with other types of leases, it is very easy to update or replace existing systems. For instance, if you decide to upgrade to more efficient panels, it can be simple to roll your existing lease into a new one.
The downside to leasing solar panels is that you cannot leverage tax or rebate solar energy benefits. You also will have to make monthly payments for as long as you have them.
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Solar?
Most people understand that solar power is renewable, and that is good for the environment and the planet. However many prospective solar purchasers may not fully understand the extent of the impact.
The main environmental benefit of solar is that it shifts from electricity that is often produced from less clean sources. This produces carbon dioxide through mining, refining, and burning of fossil fuels, which contributes to climate change. In general, an acre of solar panels saves between 385,000 to 436,000 pounds (or between 175 and 198 metric tons) of carbon dioxide per year if it replaces the same power-production capacity from natural gas.
Learn More About Things to Ask About Solar Panels
Inquires about your home or business’s potential, as well as prospective cost savings and environmental impact, are important things to ask about solar panels. A reputable installer can answer any subsequent questions you might have.
We hope you found this solar panel buying guide helpful. If so, be sure to take a look at some of our other home improvement posts, as well as those on business, marketing, finance, technology, and more.
