In the heat of the summer, we all understand the power of the sun. Increasing numbers of us are learning to harness this energy to cut our utility costs. Heating and cooling homes, generating electricity from solar panels, is becoming a reality for more and more people. If you want to join them and press ahead with solar panel installations, you first need to check if your roof is solar ready:
1. Is your roof in the shade? Look around your house and check if there are any obstructions blocking your roof from the sun. Other buildings and large trees are common culprits, and may mean you need to reconsider opting for solar panels. It’s worth checking further with your solar contractor if anything can be done to improve the situation (e.g. cutting down or trimming trees).
2. What is your roof angle? The ideal scenario is to have a south-facing roof, but even if there is a slight incline of 30 degrees east or west, you should still be OK. Check out your roof’s position with a compass.
3. If your roof nearing the end of its service life? Some solar panel systems last for up to 25 years, so if your roof is well advanced in years, you may want to think about replacing it before you install the panels.
4. Is your roof square? If the answer to this questions is yes, you are a solar contractor’s dream. Large, square roofs are ideal for solar panels – they fit well and look good, too.
5. Are you a homeowner? If you rent your property, it’s probably not worth paying for solar panels. If you own your home, then installing solar is a wise financial investment.
6. What state do you live in? A number of states offer incentives for solar panel installation. These can substantially reduce your initial expenditure. Even if your state doesn’t offer incentives, the federal government does, for qualifying installations. You can get a federal tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of your qualified solar installation.
It’s always a good idea to follow up with a qualified contractor. We at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning have provided reliable service to the Fresno area for more than 40 years, so contact us for more information on solar system design and installation.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about solar panel installation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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