Putting solar panels on your roof costs as much as a car and the number of customers who have owned a solar system through its full lifecycle is very limited. This can make it difficult to know what you need to consider before investing in solar power. This is a investment that you are putting on another investment – your roof! Solar power keeps increasing in popularity so here are some things to consider before investing in solar.
Do you have a roof that can support solar panels? If your roof is covered in shade most of the day throughout the year, it might not be worthwhile to invest in solar panels. That’s something you’ll want to assess before you move forward.If you do have a roof that gets enough sun to work with, make sure it’s in good shape. Solar installations these days can come with warranties for 20 or 25 years. If your roof will need a renovation a few years down the road, it’ll be easier to take care of that before the solar panels are installed.Depending on the age of your home and property, consider what your trees and shrubbery will do in the next few years and be prepared to keep it trimmed.
Other things to consider are:
Lease or buy? You have choices when it comes to whether to lease or buy your solar panels. Buying your own system costs more up front but pays bigger dividends; leasing lets you access cheaper electricity with little or no money down, but the benefits are more limited.
Is your installer trustworthy? Just like when you are choosing a trustworthy roofing contractor, you want to make sure that your solar panel installer is licensed and has credentials and references.
Solar power can be a awesome addition to your green lifestyle and pay for itself in a matter of years. It comes with its own pro’s and con’s that should be considered before making a investment into solar panels. Hopefully this blog gives you some things to consider before going solar with your home!
