Whether you’ve never heard of solar panels or are only now beginning to consider purchasing one, you’ll find the knowledge you need to get going here. Learn how to size your solar system, put solar panels on your roof, and install a net metering component in this article.
Installing Solar Panels on Your Roof
Installing solar panels on your roof is a terrific method to reduce your electricity costs, whether you own a new home or an existing property with an aged roof. Additionally, it helps shield your roof from deterioration brought on by time. But before you start contacting solar installation companies, you need to understand what you’re getting into.
You must first choose the kind of solar panel to install. Direct-mounted options are the most popular. Residential roofs frequently employ this.
The solar panel needs to suit your roof correctly in terms of size. It should be 18 square feet, as a general rule of thumb.
You’ll also want to get a permit. This can take two to six weeks, and you may have to pay a fee through your homeowner association.
The other thing to consider is the type of roof you have. A roof with a steep slope may require specialized equipment.
Installing Solar Panels on a Ground Mount
Getting a solar energy system installed on a ground mount is a great way to reduce your electric bill. It can also improve the quality of your environment. In addition, a solar energy system can provide you with decades of free electricity. But installing solar panels on a ground mount requires some special precautions.
To install a ground mount system, you must build a frame to support the solar panels. This frame will also need to be checked every six months to ensure it is in good condition.
The frame must also be installed safely from the panels to prevent shading. You may also need a fence to keep out unwanted visitors and animals. This may be necessary depending on the size of your system.
Concrete piers are the most common foundations for a ground-mount solar panel installation. However, there are other options, including driven piers and ballasted piers. All three require a professional engineer to install.
Installing a Net Metering Component
Saving money on your electric bill is possible if your solar panels have a net metering component. The most significant advantage is that you can feed any extra solar energy into the grid. The utility provider will pay you at retail rates when you feed extra energy into the grid. You can do this to save hundreds yearly.
The amount of electricity you feed back to the grid depends on the weather and your solar panels’ output. In winter, you may save money by sending more energy to the grid. You may not need as much electricity in summer because the sun is out.
Some utility companies offer more than one type of net metering rate. A common one is the avoided cost rate. This rate is based on the cost calculation of the utility. The avoided cost rate is usually lower than the retail rate.
Calculating the Size of your Solar System
Whether you are a new homeowner or in the process of building a new home, calculating the size of your solar system is essential. Sizing your system is crucial to avoiding oversizing your PV array and wasting energy on inefficient equipment.
You can calculate the size of your solar system by considering several factors. First, you need to know your annual energy consumption. You can determine this by looking at your power bill. If your power bill has a summary chart, you can look at it to see the average amount of daily kWh you’ve used in the past year. You can then subtract your conservation and efficiency factors from this amount.
Another factor to consider is the type of roof mount you have. The type of mount will determine the size of your panels. It would help if you also considered your irradiance level. This is determined by where you live.
