Are Rooftop Solar Panels Right For Your Home? Here’s How To Find Out
“The average household in the U.S. spends about $125 a month on an energy bill”, Forbes reports. By harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity for your home, solar systems can lower that bill and result in savings of as much as $1,500 a year. But although financial savings along with a smaller carbon footprint are attractive incentives, that doesn’t mean rooftop solar systems are right for every home. By working out how much sun your roof gets and if it faces the right way, you’ll be in a better position to decide whether rooftop solar panels are in fact the right move for your home.
How much sun does your roof get?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “a well-designed solar system needs clear and unobstructed access to the sun’s rays for most or all of the day, throughout the year”. Google’s Project Sunroof is a free online tool that can tell you how much sun your roof gets in mere seconds. All you need to do is enter your address and Google then uses satellite imagery and 3D modeling to calculate the sun’s path over your home. To finish, it gives you a concise cost-benefit analysis of solar installation, so you can see whether it’s something worth doing or not for your home.
However, this tool isn’t available everywhere. So, if Project Sunroof doesn’t cover your address, you’ll need to calculate how much sun your roof gets yourself. Don’t worry, this isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Simply stand outside your home and take a look at your roof from different angles throughout the day and record your findings. Are there any nearby trees or other structures that block the sun from your roof at all? If it turns out your roof doesn’t get much sun, ground-mounted solar panels may be a better alternative to a rooftop system.
Does your roof face the right way?
Once you’ve determined your roof gets plenty of sun, you’ll then need to work out where exactly on your roof the panels can be installed. Rooftop solar panels should ideally be angled toward the sun on a flat, south-facing roof that’s free from any chimney, skylights, vents or satellites (which means your roof should be large enough to comfortably fit the panels). However, west- and east-facing roofs can also work well. If you have a north-facing roof, on the other hand, these don’t get much sun, which means rooftop solar likely isn’t a good option for your home.
Garage solar panels
If you want to mount panels on your garage roof, that’s certainly an option. Garage solar panels are another smart way to reduce energy costs as they can power everything from lights, electric devices, and power tools to even your electric vehicle. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular as they generate zero tailpipe emissions, which means they’re a great way to fight climate change. They’re also cost effective. As an electric vehicle owner, you can save as much as $1,000 every year compared to owners of traditional gas-powered cars. And if that wasn’t enough to sway you, luxury electric vehicles from BMW, Chevrolet, and Porsche are also packed with.cool features like massaging seat functions, ambient lighting, and infotainment displays to make every drive a dream.
Get in touch with professional solar installers
So if you think rooftop solar panels are likely to be the right move for you, it’s time to contact a professional solar installer for a quote. In addition to calculating exactly how big your system will need to be, a professional installer can also give advice on the most suitable types of panels and system for your home. Don’t just go with the first installer you contact. Get multiple quotes from different installers and compare costs before making your decision.
Rooftop solar panels can slash energy use, save money, and help the environment, but that doesn’t mean they’re right for every home. By taking time to assess how much sun your roof gets and the direction it faces, you’ll be able to successfully work out whether rooftop solar is a viable option for you.