The rise in prominence of domestic solar energy in the last few decades has meant that millions of North American homeowners can now rely on the sun to power their appliances. Over that time, the efficiency rate of home solar panels has increased by at least 15% and is continuing to rise.
Now is the time to get on the solar energy journey and start making savings on your electricity bills. But there are considerations to make, so this article outlines a few of them to assist your planning.
Finding the finance for solar panels
For all their advantages, solar panels can be a catch twenty-two situation for many homeowners. While the pros are clear, there is also a big con to navigate, and that is the start-up costs of a home solar installation.
The first port of call is to search for reputable Los Angeles solar companies near me. These specialists will help you plan your project from inception, including navigating the numerous – but complex – financing options available.
A best solar company will be able to present you with incentives, grants, and loans that you may be eligible for to take the sting out of the capital outlay. Not only that, but they will also have access to trade pricing for the equipment, meaning you may be able to make a further saving on retail prices. With these tips applied, the thousands of dollars you may need to get started can quickly be reduced to a more manageable number.
The good news is that if you can get past this hurdle, then most modern solar panels last up to 30 years, so your investment will last for the long haul.
The technical aspects of home solar
Once you have built a financial plan, the next step is to figure out the technicalities. A trusted solar panels company will be able to help you plan the number of panels you need based on your area’s average sunlight plus your home energy consumption.
Specialist firms will also be able to assess your roof for suitability, both in terms of its construction quality and the direction it faces. You can also weigh any shade or overhanging trees into the equation to come up with the most accurate representation of your yields.
The amount of power generation per panel depends on these, as well as other factors such as the quality of panel you purchase.
Storing your solar energy
Unless you live in an extremely sunny part of the country, you are likely to need to store some of the power your system generates during darker parts of the year.
To combat this issue, there are two options. One is to use batteries to store your surplus energy yield. The other is to remain connected to the main grid to send your excess electricity into it. In return, you can draw from the grid at no extra cost during times you need it. This process is known as net metering.
Good luck with your solar venture!