Because of its many benefits, MoneyTips of the CBS News has revealed that solar power has become a tempting option for running one's home. But how do you determine if solar power is right for you? The daily news website SolarEnergy.net gives 10 things to consider before finally going solar.
1. Make sure you understand your utility company's rates.
To calculate cost for energy consumption, different "tiers" of usage with each having a different formula are being used. In such schemes, you get to pay more as your demand for energy increases, but when you go solar, the more that you spend on electricity as of recent, the higher your Return of Investment will be with a solar system installed.
2. Solar Batteries, No Rebates.
You need not worry about batteries unless you are coming up with a self-contained home or living compound. You will have power at night from the local utility if you continue to stay on the "grid" in a crowded area.
3. Get an accurate idea of the amount of energy your home uses each month.
Make energy-saving changes at home such as replacing incandescent bulbs, then calculate your planned, not actual, consumption using a solar installer.
4. South Facing Roof Area or Bust? No.
Ideally, your solar power systems should be facing southwest of the roof, but actually the direction of the panel's face is not as critical, as some salesmen may insist.
5. Will Solar Add to Property Tax?
Having a solar power system will not warrant a re-assessment of your property. Re-assessments are made because of room additions or other modifications that will increase the square footage of the structure.
6. Cover Your Solar Investment.
Once you have your solar panels installed, contact your homeowner's insurance company to have your policy amended. While your solar panels may increase your property insurance of about less than $10 a month, you can be sure that your solar power system is protected.
7. Learn Your Solar Warranties.
There are two solar power system warranties offered, one is the panel and inverter manufacturer warranty, which is usually 20-25 years on panels and 5-10 years on the inverters. A warranty should also be offered by the installers on the quality of their work, like their guarantee that they made no holes in your roof which are likely to cause leaks for a particular period, commonly from two to 10 years.
8. How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Commonly, a solar panel will last 30 years or even more and lose about ½ percent (or 0.5 percent) of their conversion efficiency every year. The only maintenance required is hosing the panels off a couple of times during the summer and keeping leaves off in the Fall.
9. Will Panels Harm my Roof?
If properly installed, the panels should not harm your roof in any way. Just do the proper home preparation and choose the right installer.
10. Your Roof Type Can Impact Cost
The kind of roof you have is a big factor in installation costs. Spanish tile or shake roofs are costlier than plain old asphalt shingle roofs, because both tile and shake are more brittle than asphalt shingle, thereby needing additional time to install as intensive care is needed.
