Planning for a Solar Installation Home Improvement Project
This post was last updated on January 23rd, 2024
When you think about the benefits, especially the money saving benefits of solar, it’s easy to get excited and skip the small details when planning your home improvement project.
While home owners should be eager to install solar energy, planning should be done properly. When you skip the small details, you may end up buying the wrong products, doing the installation wrong, and wasting your money.
This article highlights some of the key points you should not skip when planning a solar installation project for your home.
Solar Panel Selection
The first thing you should do when planning your project is to know your energy needs – do some research on the different types of solar panels and identify the ones that are best suited for your business. Next, you must find out – do solar panels work at night? The best part is choosing a few different panels with varying wattage and power-generating capacity to meet your daily needs. The efficiency, durability and power output are some of the important factors that homeowners should look at when evaluating solar panels for their homes. Also, note that some panels are designed for residential use whereas others are for commercial use. Some manufacturers also recommend that panels be installed on specific roofing materials. Explore choices and note down the panels that are best suited for your home and their prices. You can also take a look at solar roof tiles as an option for your home.While you may have to ask for help somewhere along the line, it’s good to understand the basics first.
Budget
You don’t want to spend all your money on solar installation and struggle to feed your family later on. This is why you need to have a budget. If you don’t have enough at hand to pay for the project, don’t panic. You can still push on with the project with a payment plan from the solar company or a loan from the bank or other lending institutions.
Installation Company Evaluation
This is the company that will do the installation for you. They can also help when it comes to picking the right panels install in your home. A good installer should also inform you of the federal and state incentives for renewable energy installation in your state. When selecting an installation company, there are four key things you should consider. One, ensure you check if the company is a certified installer for solar panels. Two, go for companies that have a contractor’s license. Three, check online reviews by homeowners who have hired the installer in the past.
Most reputable companies have an online presence and attract reviews from consumers in different review sites such as Yelp. Take time to go through the reviews to see whether people are appreciating or complaining about the contractor. Four, talk to the installer in person. Even with positive reviews, a one on one conversation is very important. The conversation will show you if the installer is a person you can interact with easily.
When you invite an installer to your home without doing some research on your reputation, you risk getting the job poorly done and damaging your property. The installer you don’t evaluate can also turn out to be a con looking for a way to get into your home to steal from you or harm you. Thus, even with the excitement, take a few minutes and make sure you are dealing with a genuine and reputable person.
Installation Quotes Comparison
Comparison can save you lots of money. When doing your evaluations, have a number of companies on your list. Then, ask for quotations from all those who pass the tests. If a company is giving you some extras, don’t forget to take that into account when making comparisons. Check the after-installation services too. If you require more than one service, consider choosing a company that offers both services. Working with the same company may be cheaper and it can also be more convenient. Semper Solaris, for instance, offer both solar installation and roofing services. Consider looking here for more information. Semper Solaris is the best solar company in San Jose and is founded by a former Marine. The company serves homeowners in San Diego and Los Angeles with special discounts for military, police and firemen looking for solar in San Jose.
Battery Storage
Another thing you shouldn’t forget about is battery storage. A good installer will remember to tell you about this. Ensure you discuss it in detail. Some of the things to consider when selecting solar storage include capacity, durability and warranty. You can have more than one battery in your home if need be. Reading reviews can help when it comes to choosing both panels and batteries. Pay keen attention to reviews pointing to efficiency and durability and the reputation of the manufacturer both in terms of the quality they produce and whether they honor warranties.
Permits
In most states, you will need permits when installing solar in your home. Most contractors will handle such details for you, but it is your responsibility as the homeowner to follow-up and make sure they actually did. If the work is done without the permits, you will suffer the cost in the future. The permits are issued for safety reasons, and it’s illegal for a project to run without the permit where the law requires one. Note that if the contractor is not licensed, they can’t apply for permits. And if they do any damage to your property, there is no basis for seeking compensation. Therefore, stay on the side of the law if you want to be safe. If the law requires that a project be carried out by someone who is licensed, look for a contractor who is licensed and ensure all the legal requirements are fulfilled before the project begins.
Contracts and Agreements
There are two key details you should not skip when it comes to contracts and agreements. One, finalize your deal with an agreement or contract and keep your copy, signed by both parties, safe. Two, before you put your signature in any document, read through the small details. Be very keen, especially with the power purchase agreements. Do the calculations and ensure you are getting a good deal before you sign. You may also want to consider your future plans before signing an agreement. Finally, don’t forget to keep your warranties safe just in case something happens.
Paying attention to such details can improve the success of your project and eliminate the conflicts and losses. The key is to be sure of your decision before you take any step. It’s better to take your time and get things right than to rush and end up in a mess or trapped by solar panel agreements.
Once your solar panels are in place, take good care of them to ensure you enjoy lower utility bills for the longest time possible. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning your panels. Dirt build-up can reduce the efficiency of your panels. This means that they will generate less energy compared to when they are clean. You can also ask the installation company for recommendations or if you don’t have the skill or time, look into professional solar panel cleaning services. It would also be advisable to look into professional cleaning when panels are placed on high roofs where climbing exposes one to a high risk of falling down. Panels don’t have to be cleaned every other week; a few times a year will do. The frequency depends on how dusty your neighborhood is.
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