Home Solar Systems: 3 Essential Steps to Harness the Sun’s Power

Key points:

• Adding a rooftop solar system can greatly reduce your energy costs and reliance on the power grid, allowing your home to become its own power producer.

• Steps to adding a solar system require planning ahead to help you avoid extra costs and hassles down the road.

• Protect your investment in solar by making sure your roof is ready and will last as long as the system itself.

  
  

Intense summer sun. Rising inflation. Huge jumps in energy costs. If you’ve been thinking about installing a solar system for your home, you may be more motivated than ever to turn that dream into a reality. Especially now that solar systems are widely available and easier than ever to install, it’s an ideal time to think about tapping into the power of solar.

Adding a solar system can be a great investment and is a snap to install, provided you have the right roof. Photo credit: Gaffer Photography

Wondering how to determine whether your home is a candidate for a residential solar system? Here are the first three steps to take, according to the experts:

Step #1: Evaluate your home’s solar readiness

Careful planning is needed to maximize the potential of a home solar system. Standard residential solar arrays need roughly 300 to 400 square feet of unobstructed space. Shade from nearby trees and other obstructions might reduce your home’s exposure. Also important is directional orientation, your roof pitch and “tilt angle” – the term the solar community uses to determine the most advantageous position of the solar panel. A lower tilt angle than optimum is not as critical as the panel orientation.

A good place to start when determining proper panel placement is by working with a structural engineer or qualified solar installer to do an assessment. Also important is assessing your roof’s condition and load-bearing capacity, including the additional weight of solar panels and all necessary installation hardware that may be required to make sure your roof is ready.

Step #2: Line up permits and necessary permissions

Next, do your homework and find out what codes and permits are required in your area in order to be able to install a residential solar system. If you have a homeowner’s association (HOA), you’ll also need to follow any rules or requirements they may have. Detailed installation plans prepared by your installer or engineer should be submitted well in advance. You’ll also need to check with your utility company if your system will connect to the grid.

Getting the proper permits and permissions will help you avoid delays, expensive fines or worse, including having to completely remove your system if it doesn’t comply with applicable rules and regulations.

Step #3: Get your roof ready

Your roof should be ready and able to securely support your solar system for the long run. Solar panels can be installed on nearly any type of roof, but some rise to the top based on the major advantages they offer.  Metal roofs are particularly ideal because they are strong yet lightweight (avoiding the need for additional reinforcement) weather-tight, durable and can last 50-plus years—longer than solar systems themselves—offering exceptional protection for a solar system investment.

They also can support framed, rack mounted and thin film laminate (which requires a clean and smooth surface, free of imperfections). Solar systems can be mounted on metal without requiring any perforations in the roof, which substantially reduces the possibility of leaks. Many accessory companies offer quality and long-lasting hardware systems specifically for securely installing a solar system on a metal roof, making installation a snap.

The bottom line: Your roof should have at least 10 to 15 years of remaining lifespan before you install solar panels at the bare minimum because solar panels themselves can last 25 years or longer. Keep in mind that having to remove and reinstall panels to repair or replace the roof can cost thousands of dollars in extra labor, wiping out any savings you may have gained from solar operation itself.

Solar is a great way to go to help substantially reduce or eliminate your home energy costs. By taking the necessary initial steps and doing some planning now, you’ll be ready to take full advantage of sunny skies ahead.