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What to know before installing solar panels

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 12 Things to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar Panels

Solar energy is a hot topic these days, but many people don't know how to go about incorporating solar panels into their homes. The following article provides insights on what you need to know before installing solar panels.

1. Does your roof need repairs?

If you are like most homeowners, your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. Your roof acts as a shield to protect all of the items inside from rain and storm damage.

If you have noticed that water is leaking into your house, it might be time to call a professional to make some much-needed repairs.

2. What is the shape of your roof?


It's important to know the shape of your roof because it determines how much energy your home will lose or retain over the course of a year. There are five basic roof shapes: Pyramid, gable, hip, gambrel, and mansard.

 

Each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages when it comes to energy efficiency.

Roofs come in many different shapes and sizes. Before you go ahead with any installation, make sure that your roof has enough space for the solar panels.

If there isn’t enough room, you likely will not get the return you expect on your investment.

3. Which direction do the slopes of your roof face?


If you have an architecturally significant house, you may want to be aware of the direction your roof slopes, as this can affect where snow accumulates. In many parts of the country, roofs are designed with a gentle slope that allows for drainage in case of inclement weather and melting snow. The problem with this is that it exposes your roof to potential damage from ice dams during the winter months. Ice dams occur when melted snow freezes on a roof, causing water to leak inside under shing.

 

Solar panels require specific placement in order to generate the maximum amount of power. Most professionals say that the best placement is to have the panels face south while others say west. Regardless, this information is important for you to determine before the installation starts.

4. How much weight can your roof handle?


The most common mistake I see people making when building their dream homes is skimping on the roof. The right style of roof can really bring an entire house to life, but unfortunately, it's often neglected by homebuyers in search of a quick sale. Before you know it, you've got rust-stained gutters and peeling paint all over your beautiful new home. To avoid this costly error, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Roofs are not built to withstand the weight of snow, ice, or heavy objects. Carrying a load that exceeds the maximum roof load will cause the roof structure to fail. The roof may develop leaks and even collapse under extreme loads. The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) has estimated that the amount of frozen precipitation and snowfall in North America is increasing by 25% per decade. Igloo Coolers wants to help you keep your cool this summer.

5. Where will the water go?


When you're deciding whether to invest in solar panels, you often think about the cost savings, but did you know that there are a lot of other benefits to having them as well? One of those benefits is increased energy efficiency. By having a more efficient energy system, your home will use less energy and save you money on your electricity bills.

6. What about nature’s other surprises?


Part of maintaining your solar power system is dealing with severe weather like lightning storms, hurricanes, hail, and more. There is a potential for some solar power equipment to get damaged during these events. While some insurance will cover these types of events, it is something to consider, especially if you live in an area where this type of weather occurs often.

7. How do you connect to the grid?


In addition to the structure and shape of your roof, you also need to consider how you are going to connect your solar power system to the grid. When connecting with a local utility, there are many things that you need to determine.

Examples include:

How long will it take to get hooked up?
Do you need to pay any fees?
How will you be credited for the generated electricity?
When will you be credited for your generated electricity?

8. Did you shop around?

Before signing any agreement with a contractor, make sure that you’ve done your research. Picking the first contractor you come across might seem like a quick and easy way to start saving money sooner rather than later.

Signing a Contract

* Financing expectations
* Ownership expectations
* Performance expectations
* Entities that might collect data on your electricity production and usage
* Companies that have access to your electricity production and usage data


9. Do you trust your contractor?


Choosing a contractor that you feel will also be around for the long term is also an important factor to consider. While there is little maintenance that is required, if something stops working, you want your contractor available to fix it under warranty.

10. Did you pick the cheapest options?

As a consumer, it is so important to invest time and money into installing the right solar panels. In the long run, it they will last longer and give you a much higher return.

11. What about warranties?


Warranties are an important aspect of protecting your solar panels and other related equipment. If anything happens to your solar panels, having a warranty helps you to keep the manufacturer accountable

Types of Warranties


A few different types of warranties exist for solar panels, equipment, and installation. Some of these warranties include,

Installation Warranty
This warranty covers situations where the solar panels and related equipment have been installed incorrectly. These types of warranties can generally last from 2 – 10 years. Many of these warranties cover things like, the labor and parts related to repair or replace elements of the system, roof penetrations, shipping, replacing defective parts, and more. For more information, make sure to ask your contractor what kind of installation warranties they provide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inverter Warranty


This type of warranty can change from company to company.

That being said, there are a few industry standards that can help you to get a better idea about the warranties that you should be offered. Standard “string inverters”, which handle power from a “string” of panels, often have a warranty period between 5 – 10 years. Generic “micro-inverters”, which attach to individual panels, have warranties that can last between 20 – 25 years. Inverter warranties generally cover, material or manufacturing defects and flaws. Inverter warranties generally don’t cover, improper installations, normal wear and tear caused by extreme conditions, and improper maintenance.

 

12. Don’t forget about maintenance.


Keeping your solar panels working and your roof in good condition is all about establishing proper maintenance procedures. It’s a good idea to find out from your contractor what those maintenance procedures are before the installation begins. If you are unable to meet those maintenance requirements, there is a good chance your equipment will not last as long as you want it to.

CONCLUSION

 

Unrivaled solar is a USA brand and e-commerce platform headquartered in Texas. It sells solar products such as solar panels, solar inverters, solar batteries, solar charge controllers, on-grid solar systems, and off-grid solar systems with installation and delivery USA. Find here details of brands selling Solar Panels in the USA.

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