Throughout the world, many people are beginning to realize the importance of renewable energy resources. One renewable source of energy that continues gaining more adoption by homeowners and businesses is solar power. This type of power comes from the sun’s rays.
While its use to help the environment is important, many people are also buying solar panels to save money. After solar panels absorb energy from the sun, they’re able to convert it into usable energy. This process reduces your need to rely on electricity from fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, and coal.
If you are looking for the best way to save money on your solar panels and don’t want to buy them at a high price, then you should consider investing in a self-solar energy loan fund. This will allow you to take out a loan and pay it back over time while also saving money by not having to use expensive solar panels.
Before you can start enjoying the money-saving benefits of solar energy, you’ll need to complete a few steps. If you are living in a dwelled city like Los Angeles, consider installing solar panels to make your home energy efficient. Here are five helpful ways to save the most money from residential solar panels.
1. Roof Age, Materials, Condition
An essential step towards getting solar panels is to check the condition of your roof. Checking out your roof is important because solar panels need a sturdy and safe foundation to rest on. If this doesn’t happen, it could lead to your solar panels sliding off or falling through your roof.
Understandably, most people don’t want to get on a ladder and start walking on their roof to assess its age. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to contact a roofing professional. By doing this, you can have someone accurately assess whether or not your roof is ready to reap the benefits of solar power. Solar panels may seem expensive, but when you compare them to buying and paying for utility bills, the benefits of installing solar panels will become a clear and cost-effective way in a popular city like Houston TX.
If your roof is 20 to 30 years old, roofing industry experts recommend having it replaced before setting up solar panels here.
2. Roof Orientation: roof slope vs. sun exposure
The previously mentioned question might seem a bit odd. After all, it’s impossible to change the direction that your roof faces. However, the direction or orientation of your roof can have an impact on how much solar energy you receive.
Solar panels tend to absorb more heat when they’re facing north or south. However, this doesn’t mean that no heat absorption happens when solar panels face east or west. Many commercial and residential properties have solar panels facing in a wide range of directions. With that said, expect a 20% reduction in energy absorption if your solar panels face west or east.
3. Consider the Pitch of Your Roof
Another thing to consider before going solar is the pitch of your roof. You might also hear this referred to as your roof’s angle. Figuring out your roof’s pitch is important because not all roofs can safely hold solar panels. If your roof is extremely steep, it might be too difficult for solar panels to remain in place.
Don’t worry; you don’t have to be a roofing professional to get your roof’s pitch. One of the easiest ways to get this measurement is by using a roof pitch calculator. After getting your roof’s rise and run, this calculator automatically determines its pitch.
If you want to get your roof’s pitch manually, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Get a level, an L-shaped ruler, and a ladder.
- Climb to where you can safely reach the side of your roof.
- Set your L-shaped ruler at an angle where the 12-inch mark lines up with your roof.
- Place your level above your ruler.
- Carefully raise the other end of your ruler until the level evens out.
- Take note of the mark on the other end of your ruler. Place this number before the 12-inch increment, and you have your roof’s pitch. If the other end of your ruler was at the 4-inch mark, your roof’s pitch would be 4:12.
4. Contemplate Upgrading Your Electrical System
You’ve learned the many ways that your roof affects what kind of solar panels you’ll need.
However, your home’s electrical system might need upgrading before you can start using solar energy. As solar panels receive and absorb energy from the sun, a conversion changes this energy into usable electricity, learn more at Independent Energy Hawaii.
Fortunately, most newer commercial or residential properties shouldn’t need much upgrading to convert solar energy. Generally speaking, properties that are 30 years or older will likely require significant upgrades before receiving solar panels.
As you know, being around live electricity is dangerous. Keep yourself safe by having a licensed and certified electrician assess the strength of your property’s electrical system. Find out more about this career at electricalschool.
5. Select the Best Solar Panels
Lastly, you’ll need to choose the right type of solar panels. While different solar panels might look similar to one another, there are many differences between these items. The main way to differentiate solar panels from one another is by learning their power and efficiency ratings.
Solar panels receive power ratings based on how many watts of energy they generate. Solar panels with higher wattage ratings can output more energy than those with lower power ratings. Most residential solar panels feature power ratings from 250 to 400 watts.
It’s also important to consider solar panel efficiency ratings. This rating explains how much of the sun’s energy a solar panel can convert into usable electricity. One difference between solar panel power and efficiency ratings is how you measure them. The efficiency of solar panels receives a rating based on percentages.
If a solar panel has an efficiency rating of 17%, it can convert this percentage of rays from the sun into electricity.
As you’ve learned, going solar does take a little time and effort. However, helping the planet while saving money makes having solar panels installed worth the wait.
