You don’t have to hire a company to take on the whole project or do it yourself. Sometimes you can’t do every step of the process yourself-and indeed, there are certain situations where you may not legally be allowed to do all the work yourself. In the end, they'll save you time and money.
When in doubt, bring in a professional to helpĭon't feel guilty for needing to phone in a professional. Battery systems are a fantastic complement to a solar setup but may come with installation complexities and a specific set of regulations and building codes to know. The solar panels charge the batteries during the day with the excess power generated, and then you can draw from those batteries overnight.
However, there are also numerous options for battery storage.
However, if you’re using solar in an off-grid installation, such as a cabin in the woods, then you need to figure out how to get power when the sun isn’t out.Ī simple solution is a gasoline-powered generator. When installed on your home, a dip in sunlight usually isn’t an issue when you’re connected to the power grid, and you can just draw from that power overnight or on dim, cloudy winter days. Solar panels only generate power when the sun is shining. Other extra costs might include upgrading your electric panel, keeping them snow-free in the winter, and dealing with potential damage. This may mean taking down some trees, which can cost thousands of dollars if you need to bring in a professional.
Before you begin, make sure that the roof shingles are relatively new, or plan on the expense of removing the system to install a new roof a few years down the road.Īnother consideration is making sure that your system sits in as much sunlight during the day as possible. For example, if you install a new solar panel system on the roof, you may need to reinforce the underlying structure. To make the most out of your investment, be sure you're not ignoring that much needed repair to your roof or those dead tress hanging around your yard.ĭon’t overlook the costs above and beyond the panels, rails, wires, and batteries that come with installing a solar panel system. A 10% lower installation price might be negated by the increased energy production associated with higher-quality panels.
Those costs add up over the life of the system. The more efficient, the more power you’ll generate, and the more of your electrical costs you’ll offset. The second consideration is the efficiency of the panels.
Does the company have a reputation for long-lasting systems, and do they have a warranty to back that reputation up? If you have to replace the system after 10 years when a slightly more expensive system would have lasted 25 years, you didn't save any money. First and foremost, consider the durability of the panels.
However, the purchase price doesn’t always tell the whole story in terms of affordability. When looking into the hardware itself, it can be tempting to save money with the cheapest panels available. Before you dive into detailed planning for your project, reach out to your local building department and find out exactly what requirements have to be fulfilled with your type of system. If you’re installing an off-grid system, such as to an outbuilding, cabin, or RV, then the requirements are likely far less demanding, though you likely still need permits and inspections.