Momentum is building as Americans everywhere opt for a Sunshine State of mind to benefit their wallets and the environment. But despite the clear benefits of solar power for the home, errors and missteps during the home solar installation can result in inefficiency, extra costs, and even safety issues. Being aware of and preventing these mistakes might help make a smooth transition to solar power.
Overlooking a Site Assessment
The most common mistake made in a home solar installation is failing to do a complete site evaluation. Not all rooftops are good for solar panels. System output can be significantly impacted by other factors, including roof orientation and any shading from neighboring trees or structures, and by the condition of the roof.
Neglecting to consider these issues may result in a lack of energy output and high maintenance costs. Before you begin an instal,l however, your level of sun exposure and the sturdiness of the home need to be considered to verify its suitability for solar.
Picking the Wrong System Size
Another is underestimating the scale of the solar system. For a few homeowners, they invested in a system that’s too small for their energy consumption, limiting the level of savings. Still others overestimate their need and install a system to produce more electricity than they need, resulting in an unnecessary expense.
You need to know how much electricity your home uses today, plus the expected usage in the future, so you’ll know how big of a system your home will need. Checking utility bills and planning for future changes, such as switching to an electric vehicle or expanding your home, will also be useful.
Ignoring Local Regulations and Permitting
Every jurisdiction has its permitting requirements, zoning regulations, and utility interconnection standards. Failure to comply with these regulations can mean delays and fines, and the removal of hardware that has already been installed.
To avoid this headache, homeowners need to become educated about their local codes and gain the proper approvals before they even start to install their decking. This requirement ensures that the system will be capable of passing all regulatory and safety requirements and can remain qualified for all available rebates.
Poor Panel Placement
The efficiency of a solar panel system heavily depends on panel positioning. Rooftop panels might not always receive enough sun, be at an optimal angle, or they may be shaded. Merely a little bit of clouding on one of the panels of the array can bring down the performance of the entire system.
Proper placement and orientation of panels is critical to ensure sunlight exposure and recoup the investment. The best is to put panels in a part that is exposed to sunlight the entire day.
Neglecting Maintenance Planning
Solar panels are pretty low maintenance, but they are not maintenance-free. One of the most common mistakes made by people who install solar panels on their homes is not taking into account long-term maintenance. Dirty, clogged, weathered, or damaged parts or equipment can impair performance.
Through regular inspections and cleanings, and establishing a maintenance plan, the system’s life span can be prolonged and its peak efficiency maintained.
Conclusion
The things to avoid when installing solar panels. Many common mistakes can be made when installing solar at home, stifling the possible benefits of sunlight energy. From inspecting for site specifics to meeting local codes and planning for long-term maintenance, everything must be considered. With a little more consideration and thought, homeowners can surely benefit from years of efficient energy use and the long life of a system.
