Solar installations are becoming more popular around the world with more and more people owning them. As a matter of fact, various Energy Agencies reports suggest that by a quarter of energy usage and production may derive from solar power.
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Two very valid reasons for deciding to go solar are global warming and rising energy bills. Homes with solar panels are also easier to sell, and most governments support solar installation.
Still, this is a significant investment that one does not make over the counter at the spur of the moment. It is best to make sure you do some research on the product you wish to purchase and to keep the following guidelines in mind.
1. The Structure of the Roof
Solar systems can be installed on any roof no matter the size, shape, and material. However, finding a company that has experience with solar installations on your type of roof might be a struggle if your roof is not of the ordinary.
There are installation companies that will tell you that your roof type is not fit for solar installation. Remember, this only means they haven&#;t worked with your roof structure before. Keep searching and don&#;t get discouraged!
2. The Condition of the Roof
Before proceeding with solar panel installation, make sure your roof is well maintained and in excellent condition. Keep in mind that when your roof gets old and needs replacement, it can be costly to take off the solar panels and to reinstall them.
Therefore, it is best to replace your roof at the same time when you switch to solar. Take into consideration that solar can panels can last for thirty years or more so it is best to opt for a durable roofing material with a longer lifespan.
3. The Location of Your Home
The location and orientation of your home play a significant role when it comes to the amount of solar power your panels will generate. To find the most efficient solution, professional solar installers use solar measuring tools that calculate the amount of energy that is available on a daily, monthly and yearly basis.
If you live in an area that does not see much sun, then chances are that more panels will be needed to provide sufficient solar power. Also, if there are specific objects like trees and satellite dishes casting shadows on your roof, they will need to be repositioned in order to maximize the potential of your solar system.
4. Solar Panel Types
Your solar panel choice will most likely depend on your budget and your taste. The most popular and the most affordable choice today are traditional, roof-mounted panels. However, if you don&#;t have enough roof space, you can choose to go with the ground-attached panels. They often require more labor and material so they can turn out to be a bit more expensive.
An important thing to keep in mind when choosing your panel type is efficiency: higher efficiency means a higher return on your investment. Efficiency can be boosted by installing solar trackers that allow panels to follow the direction of the sun. And if you&#;d like your solar system not only to work great but also to look great, you can add shingles that will allow solar panels to blend in with your home&#;s roof.
5. Your Financing Options
The cost of a solar system will depend on the type of panels, the amount needed and the company you choose to do the installation. It usually varies between $25,000 and $35,000, and the purchase makes you eligible for tax credits or rebates.
If you do not have enough funds or cannot get a loan, another option is to lease a solar array. In that case, you do not own the solar panels yourself. Instead, you regularly pay a small rental fee &#; but you still save the money on utility bills!
6. The Contract
When you have decided on the type of solar panels you will purchase, make sure your solar contract includes all the important items like financing, ownership and performance expectations.
For your safety, make sure it says who has access to data on your home&#;s energy production and usage. And if you are not sure or understand the contract thoroughly, it is always best to find some legal advice before signing anything.
Final Thoughts
Moving from conventional energy resources towards solar energy is one of the most significant moves that our society can make to reduce the carbon footprint. Besides from being kind to the environment, solar panels will help you save on your energy bills, and they will eventually pay for themselves.
To get the most out of your money, it is best to do thorough research on the specific type of solar system you are interested in. Investigation of the company you choose for the installation is also critical to make sure they are trustworthy and professional.
Consider all your options, read reviews and take your time until you are a 100% sure. Remember, as solar panels are most likely a once-in-a-lifetime buy!
Article by Mattea Jacobs &#; a freelance writer who mostly writes about both interior and exterior home design, and environmentally-friendly ways to improve homes.
If you have been considering installing a solar roof, there is plenty of good news for you. It was a little under a decade ago, when U.S. Statesman Ken Salazar cheekily proclaimed, &#;I think the future of solar energy is bright&#;. His words have turned out to be astonishingly prophetic, not just for the United States, but all around the globe.
Introduction: The future is indeed bright for solar powerA brief overview of solar power across the globeBy the end of , global cumulative installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached about 512 gigawatts (GW), and global PV installations for the year reached about 121 GW. These are massive figures by any standard, and the numbers only continue to rise exponentially every year. Here, countries like China, the U.S., and India continue to lead the pack, as they deploy systems to generate solar power, not just for residential and commercial buildings, but also for widespread solar farms, using distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. These are large enough to power state-wide landscapes.
For the future, experts proclaim that these impressive numbers will more than double over the next four years, to a whopping 700+ gigawatts of solar power, as more countries commit to making the most of clean, renewable sources of energy. In fact, they even predict that solar PV and wind power will account for 70% of the total global power expansion projected over the next five years, with a large chunk coming from distributed solar PV.
Solar power in the U.S.: Why YOU should consider a solar power roofThe scenario is even more upbeat in the United States, as generation of solar power continues to enjoy incentives, sponsored by both the federal government and various state governments. Coupled with lowering solar roof installation costs, both residential property owners and commercial business owners are increasingly tempted to switch to solar power for their basic energy requirements. The solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) first introduced in , and Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) goals of individual U.S. States, are particularly noteworthy in this regard.
Here is a quick summary of how solar power deployment has transformed in the U.S. in the past few years.
The solar boom is not just about energy.
In summary, the industry expects to see another surge of solar power deployments over the next 2 years. This is more so across residential buildings, as the federal government gently tapers off tax credits by . But of course, this can only mean that state governments will then take on the sole responsibility of providing incentives, in order to keep their residents happy and aligned to solar power.
Note: If you live in the state of California, you may no longer have a choice about including solar energy to power your building. This year, California becomes the first U.S. state to mandate solar power as a source of energy. As per this, all new buildings under 3 stories tall will need to include a solar PV system to generate solar energy to power their building.
The mandate became effective as of 1st January . Experts consider this a path-breaking development in the U.S. renewable energy landscape, as more states are soon expected to follow suit.
Options for residential property owners to get on the solar power wagonIf you own a residential property in the U.S., there are several reasons you should consider investing in solar-powered energy.
At present, residential property owners have 2 choices to go the solar route with their homes.
Here, solar power roofs continue to remain the popular choice, largely due to their higher efficiency in generating solar energy. They are also considered more versatile in terms of installation and aesthetic dynamics, and thus garner easy finance options to lower the burden of initial installation and solar roof cost. Basically, solar panels installed on the ground need to be connected to the grid, making them redundant if you are planning to stay off the grid.
For all these reasons, the rest of this primer will focus solely on solar roof options to make the most of solar power in residential buildings.
Is your roof good for solar?This may be shocking to some, but not all roofs are suitable for solar. For instance, if you live in a gated community, its housing development society may have its own rules and regulations, including limitations contributing to the aesthetics of the roof. Also, if an integrated solar roof is a possibility for your residence, there may still be limitations on the number of panels you are allowed to install on your roof. Similar constraints may apply if you rent/lease (and not own) your residence.
In the absence of these limitations, here are other key factors that will determine the type of solar roof technology best suited for your roof.
Your monthly electricity billDespite all the benefits provided by a solar roof installation (including higher energy efficiency and lower energy bills), there is no denying the financial setback posed by the initial installation cost. (However, these can be addressed by various finance options with no upfront cost to you.) Based on present industry dynamics, experts claim that this cost is offset over a period of 2&#;5 years. Furthermore, it may take (at least) a similar amount of time for you to completely offset the cost of the solar roof (panels, tiles or photovoltaic shingles).
For this to be economically viable for your residence based on your energy requirements, you should have a monthly energy bill upwards of $70&#;$75 in order to get financial savings from a solar roof installation.
Type of roofThe type and material of your roof can directly impact the type of roofing and solar technology you use. For instance, solar panels are best suited to strong roofing materials (such as cement, asphalt) with an even surface in order to efficiently generate solar energy. Or else, you may want to consider Tesla roof shingles or solar roof tiles.
Geographical and topographical placement of your roofThe geography of your location and its local climate will determine the amount of sunlight you receive around the year. In turn, this will directly impact the number of solar roof panels you require in order to comfortably meet your monthly energy requirements.
The design and elevation of your roof, combined with its surrounding topography, will impact the amount of shade you receive during the day. For instance, the right side of your roof may be close to an empty street with tall trees, thus receiving more shade than other portions of the roof. Accordingly, certified solar energy contractors can determine the best design for your solar power roof. They can also increase the amount of sunlight received by altering the angle at which each solar panel is installed on your roof.
Possibility of short-term roof replacementBased on the age and condition of your roof, if you foresee a roof replacement in the short term (like 5&#;10 years), it may be more financially viable to take this up along with your solar roof installation. For instance, high-quality solar roof tiles can have a lifespan of up to 40 years. Hence if you hold off on re-roofing after solar roof installation, there is a possibility for the panels to be damaged when the actual re-roofing happens in the future.
Another possibility is to use solar roof PV technology&#;like Tesla solar roof shingles&#;as your primary roofing material. This will further reduce the total cost (re-roofing + solar roof installation).
How to determine the capacity of your solar roofThe capacity of a solar roof is determined by:
Your total budgetThis is often the primary determining factor to impact the amount of solar energy you can generate through your solar roof system. How much are you willing to spend upfront, either through cash or through finance options, on a solar roof system (installation + solar roof cost included)?
Here, keep in mind that there are 2 types of tax rebates offered by the government, to lower this burden.
At present, this is at 26% of your total installation cost (available until ), for new buildings/installations, and can be availed as a deduction in your income tax over a 2-year period.
Again, this is not a cash credit and varies across US states. Here, REC goals are state-specific, and determine the amount of energy to be generated/imported/exported by the state for the yearly period. Based on the situation every year, your state may choose to offer renewable energy incentives to residents, in the form of additional tax credits or rebates on your electricity bill (based on the total solar energy you generate).
Finally, there is also the possibility of &#;selling&#; extra (unused) solar energy generated by your roof to your electric company on a monthly basis, provided you are connected to the grid and have net metering enabled. In this case, the electric company may again choose to &#;pay&#; for this energy, either through cash or through a specified wattage or electric energy you can use when there is no solar energy available. This too can be used to offset your initial set up cost, over a period of time.
The monthly savings you expect from your solar roofFor more information, please visit solar roof tiles manufacturers.
The monthly savings you expect and your total solar roofing capacity have a direct relation with each other. Depending on which item you choose to keep constant, the other item can be accordingly altered.
In fact, certified solar roof contractors can even provide a yearly projection of the savings you can expect, along with expected cost, spanning the entire duration of the solar roof material&#;s lifetime. Make sure to ask for this along with the initial quote, as this can be a key determining factor in your choice of roofing technology/contractor.
If you are installing a solar roof on top of an existing building/roof, then a portion of your roof may be sufficient to generate the monthly savings you expect. This is particularly useful for solar roof panels, or even solar roof tiles/Tesla solar shingles (when used as secondary roofing material). In this case, a proficient contractor can help determine the premium area in your roof (based on the amount of sunlight/shade received during the day), in order to generate maximum savings for minimum cost.
On the other hand, if you are installing a solar roof as part of new construction or a re-roofing project, then you have the option of using solar tiles/best solar shingles as the primary roofing material. In this case, the entire roof will be able to generate solar energy. (There may be variation among the solar energy generated by individual tiles/shingles, based on their placement on the roof.) The total cost of re-roofing + solar roof installation can be offset with this choice.
Solar roof options: 3 major solar roof technologiesAt present, there are 3 solar PV technologies available for a solar roof system.
Solar roof panels remain the most popular, simply because of their higher efficiency in generating solar energy from sunlight. They come in dark-blue/black color choices, intentionally designed to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight. They can be installed on an existing roof (or even on the ground, like a terrace), using mounting and racking systems.
While newer technologies attempt to mount/rack them as close to the roof as possible, they are considered less aesthetically appealing than other options. On top of this, they can also be installed on a part of your roof that receives the maximum sunlight during the day, in order to reduce costs without impacting efficiency.
Pros of solar roof panels:
Cons of solar roof panels:
Solar roof tiles are individual solar tiles, that can either be used as primary roofing material, or installed over an existing roof. In this sense, they are more versatile, as they also double up as a roof.
Pros of solar roof tiles:
Cons of solar tiles:
Solar roof shingles are similar to solar roof tiles, in terms of their installation as part or full roof. However, they are sleeker in design, as they are an evolved technology. In fact, Tesla roof shingles&#;also known as Tesla solar roof&#;was introduced by Elon Musk&#;s company in , and may soon turn out to be the most popular among the three. Although it has limited installations as of date, is touted to be a pathbreaker in roofing and solar projects for the future.
SEE ALSO: Solar Shingles: Make Your Roof Solar-Powered (5 Brands)
Pros of solar roof shingles:
Cons of solar shingles:
The cost for a solar roof depends on the total wattage required for your monthly energy needs and is hence reflected as dollar per watt ($/watt). Based on your budget, you may choose to generate your entire energy through solar power, or use it to offset a portion of your monthly utility bill. Either way, the three technologies (panels/shingles/tiles) are fairly competitive in terms of dollar per watt pricing. Here is an example for solar roof installation in the U.S..
A small solar roof system can generate 4 kilowatts of power, and costs about $15,000/-. This is typically enough to power a small house (less than 900 square feet in size). A larger system, generating double that wattage can cost $29,000/- and able to power a 2,000 square feet home. The average household system will fall somewhere in between the two (needing 6 kilowatts of solar power generation).
When you break down the total solar roof cost, it will come down as follows:
The cost of the equipment will differ based on the type and size of the equipment. Here are some notes.
In comparison, a premium Tesla solar roof for the average 6-kilowatt household can cost up to $44,000/-. This may seem superlatively expensive on its own. But if you consider the cost of roofing (up to $60,000/-) + solar, it suddenly appears temptingly economical!
Financing for solar roof: Do you have to pay cash upfront?The sunny (pun intended) news is that there are several financing options to consider, so you do not have to shell out cash upfront. This includes:
You may be surprised, but the first step in installing a solar roof begins not with a contractor, but with YOU! Yes, you will first need to understand the energy requirements of your house, before you even make the first call. Here are the steps to get your solar roofing project completed, quickly, and easily.
Step 1: Use a solar calculator, to determine your energy requirements.A solar calculator can be easily downloaded online, and a good one will link you to at least a couple of local, accredited contractors to take on the job. Here, Google is indeed your best bet, since it will scout for solar calculators sponsored by certified contractors within your geographical location.
The solar calculator will help you understand your monthly energy requirements&#;including the typical number of electrical equipment connected in your house (such as microwave, fridge, lighting equipment, etc.)&#;and thus calculate the total wattage you will require to power your house on a daily basis. A smart solar calculator may even list out the total number of solar panels you will need on your roof, in order to meet your daily wattage requirements. A magnificent solar calculator will lead you to at least one certified contractor within driving distance of your house.
Here, consider using the rule of 3 to scout out the very best. Work with 2&#;3 solar calculators (as may consider different options), to find at least 3 competitive contractors within your community.
Step 2: First call with solar contractor/installerOnce you have a better understanding of your energy requirements, prepare to call the solar contractor. He or she will want to know more about the following, before they schedule the first visit to your house.
In turn, make sure you find out more about the following, so you have some ideas of your total expenses/output.
This step is usually covered over the / .
Step 3: First Inspection by ContractorAt this point, you might have already zeroed in on a contractor. Accordingly, he or she makes the first visit to ascertain the state of your roof, your electrical panel and wiring, and thus determine the best roofing option for you. At this point, you may also require an additional visit from a building inspector to sign off that your existing building is up to quote, and solar roof installation can begin. In some cases, the solar contractor/installer may have his or her own engineer to address this.
What you can expect from this:
This is where the certified solar contractor comes up with the final solar panel design. This includes:
The permit process can take anywhere from a couple of days, to a couple of months. During this time, your contractor can also choose to order any material, depending on how confident he is of obtaining the permit. Once these are complete, the roof is ready for final installation. This can take 1&#;3 days, and includes roof preparation, re-wiring, and upgrade or electrical (as required), installation, and final connection to the power panel.
Step 6: Interconnection to the GridThe installation may indeed be over, but you still need a city-certified engineer to connect your solar roof to the grid. Unless you are living completely off the grid, your solar panels can be useful only when they are connected to the grid. For this, the engineer will complete a final safety and code inspection, before flipping the switch that connects you, finally, to the local power grid.
Again, the time for this process is variable (1 week to 3 months) based on your state.
Hurray, as you are finally done with the successful installation of your brand new, cost-saving solar roof! You may want to partner with your contractor for up to a year, so they make monthly/bi-monthly to check the efficiency of your solar roof. This will ensure that you are indeed getting the monthly savings you expect and deserve, as they take care of any tweaks to ensure the same. Congratulations!
Key takeaways and FAQQ1. Which is more economical, both in short and long term&#;solar roof or solar panels on ground?Solar roof panels are more economical than panels installed on the ground, since they will most likely receive more sunlight on top (unhindered by trees). In addition, they can also work off the grid, which is uncommon for solar panels installed on the ground. Finally, if you are considering new construction or a re-roofing project, installation of solar tiles/solar shingles can reduce the total cost of a reroofing + solar project. So basically, solar roofs are preferred over solar panels on the ground, since they also take up less space apart from the actual building.
Q2. Is my roof suitable for solar?With evolving technology, almost any roof is suitable for solar, barring any constraints laid upon by your building/community. It is a question of which solar technology suits your building best, and not if solar technology suits.
Q3. Can I install solar tiles/shingles on an existing roof?Yes. You can install all 3 types&#;panels, tiles, and shingles on an existing roof. For a new roof, you may want to lower costs by choosing solar tiles/ shingles as your primary roofing material. This is a bonus!
Q4. Will solar panels damage my expensive roof?Not if they are installed properly, by a certified contractor. Also, solar panels are installed at a distance above the roof, in order to avoid scratching and gain maximum sunlight. Moreover, they can be cleaned easily, further protecting your actual roof.
Q5. Do solar roofs generate solar power during rain?Yes, provided there is daylight. In fact, you will find a significant number of solar roof installations working mighty effectively in Seattle&#;the rainiest city in the U.S.!
Key TakeawayIn closing, the best time to invest in solar roof power is NOW, especially considering that federal rebates are likely to go away in the next two years. Also, we are at a time where solar technology has been tested, and is therefore a stable yet constantly evolving science.
With the U.S. government&#;s increasing commitment to generation of energy through renewable sources&#;at individual state level if not at the federal level&#;home owners can be assured of government-sponsored rebates and incentives to offset initial costs and make long-term solar power a financially tempting option.
All in all, Ken Salazar was right because the future of solar energy in the U.S. continues to be exceptionally bright!
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