According to the EIA, the U.S. is powering ahead with its solar energy program. This year, over 50% of new power-generating installations will harness solar energy. 

Are you eager to get on board with reducing carbon emissions by installing solar panels, too?

Before you go blundering headlong into this expensive decision, first see if there are any community solar programs happening near you. There are several things all homeowners should consider when they select residential solar systems and the more you know, the better off you’ll be.

Analyze Your Circumstances

Each home presents a unique set of challenges when considering your solar system options. These are the variables you must take into account before installing solar panels:

Your Electricity Usage

The more electricity you use in your home, the more solar panels you need. So, it’s always a good idea to try and reduce your consumption before you spend money unnecessarily.

To achieve this, you can replace some electrical appliances, like ovens and water heaters, with gas-powered ones.

Replacing all your traditional lightbulbs with LED lights will cut your consumption considerably. Upgrading your home’s insulation helps reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling. 

When you’ve done all you can to slash your electricity use, check your next electricity bill to see the kilowatt-hours you use in a month. From there, you can calculate your solar panel requirements. 

Available Sunlight

Solar panels can operate in low light, but they always work best in direct sunlight. So, if you have large trees casting shadows over your roof, you might need to remove them.

If you live in an area with many overcast days, you’ll also need more panels to meet your electricity needs.

Permits Required

You must check with your municipality about any permits needed to make changes to your property, like installing solar and cutting down trees.

This paperwork might involve unexpected costs and cause delays, so they will affect your installation.  

Your solar system budget is a major consideration for your installation. Fortunately, solar power isn’t a one size fits all solution.

You can choose a system that lets you enjoy the benefits of solar power without breaking the bank.

Select Residential Solar Systems To Suit Your Budget 

There are two main types of solar installations available to homeowners. These are;

Off-Grid Systems

When you implement this type of solar installation, you’ll cut all your ties with the local and national electricity grid. That means you’ll never see another electricity bill.

However, these are the most powerful and expensive solar panel installations available. They rely heavily on expensive battery backup to keep your home up and running when the sun goes down. 

Grid-Tied Systems

With a grid-tied system, you stay connected to the grid but only use power from this source when required. Through net metering, you can also feed excess solar-generated electricity back into the grid to receive a credit on your electricity bill.

Power purchase agreements are another attractive option whereby you don’t pay for your solar panel installation but receive cheap solar-generated electricity in exchange for installing solar panels on your roof. 

There are some attractive options available for homeowners who opt for grid-tied systems. Be sure to check them out before you decide. 

Experts Can Help You Decide

A local solar panel installer can help you select residential solar systems to help you enjoy the best benefits of solar energy according to your circumstances. 

They can advise you on appropriate solar panel designs for your circumstances and help you navigate your grid-dependent options, too.

Would you like some more expert advice to help you create an efficient and cost-effective home? Browse our blog for the best tips and information.