Solar Panels: Are They A Good Choice For My Home?
If you’ve been questioning whether your house is a good candidate for solar panels, here are several factors to consider. Factors such as the direction that your roof faces and the placement of trees on your property can make a difference. In addition, you will need to decide if your solar power system will be tied to the local utility grid. Following is some information to help you decide if solar panels are a good choice for your home.
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The most important factor is whether your system will be grid tied or off grid. Grid tied means that your solar power system will be hooked up to the local electric utility company. Your solar panels will produce electricity that can power your appliances as long as sunlight is hitting the solar panels. During periods when your solar panels don’t have access to sunlight (nighttime, cloudy days), your appliances would be getting electricity from the local utility company.
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An off grid system works independently and is not hooked up to a utility company. This type of system is more commonly found in rural or remote areas where utility poles are harder to access and hookups are costly. Off grid systems have batteries (similar to car batteries) to hold excess electricity, and usually have back up generators for emergency situations. The solar panels produce electricity during periods of sunlight, and at night or during inclement weather, the batteries or generator take over.
For both grid tied and off grid systems, the pitch of the roof and direction it faces, and nearby objects that cast shade are all factors when determining placement of your solar panels. For maximum efficiency solar panels need direct sunlight for as much of the day as possible. Both trees and structures which might block sunlight need to be taken into consideration. Of course, each home can have a different combination of these factors and should be assessed individually. Using a site inspection and accurate measurements and surveys, a knowledgeable installer can provide the information you need to determine the best solar panel configuration for your home.






