It is safe to say that most of the developed world (and some of the not so developed) are starting to transition to alternative sources of energy that don’t happen to rely on long-dead dinosaurs. This is invariably a good thing, but as with all things in life, there are some nuances that must be taken into account before we shout “hooray!” and affix an array of solar panels to our rooves. This post will cover seven things that you ought to consider before making a move so that when the time comes, you will be better prepared and fully understand what you’re spending your money on.
Ensure You Have A Reputable Local Installer
If you live hundreds of miles away from any sort of population center, you are going to find it a challenge to either find an installer willing to come to your property or purchase and install them yourself. When it comes to installation, you really need to get the professionals to assess, advise, and ultimately set everything up so it functions as it should and is appropriately connected to your property. If you check out the Sungain Solar website, for instance, you will quickly begin to understand what’s involved and that by opting for a reputable company to perform the process, you will end up with a fully functioning system capable of providing you with enough power to last years (decades in most cases). The reason why you want to look for a local company is so that if anything goes wrong and you need to access the warranty, you won’t need to wait without power for them to book you a technician to visit you.
Evaluate Your Roof’s Solar Potential
Although most buildings can receive some form of panels, others are simply not the right shape or are in the shade for too much of the day to make a difference. If you are unsure, you can always get a quote and advice from an installer who can assess your circumstances and recommend any alternative options you could consider.
Assess Your Energy Needs
If you are already extraordinarily frugal and your energy bills are low enough to envy your neighbors (unlikely but stranger things have happened), it may not be in your best interests to fork out for an extensive system. However, solar power gives you options such as ensuring you still have energy even in the event of a power cut, so the idea is to assess your situation and act accordingly.
Consider Local Climate Conditions
Solar power is a fantastic option for those in areas that receive plenty of sunlight and relatively long summers. But if you live in closer regions prone to snow more often or long winters that render solar useless, you might look at other options like geothermal.
Research Available Solar Incentives
Some countries and regions offer very lovely incentives to their citizens to both help pay for the installation and possibly even buy some of the excess energy they produce to put back into the grid. These could come as loans or tax breaks, but if your local authority offers them, you ought to take them up on their offer!
Explore Financing Options
If you are unable to receive help from the government, you can always research financing options that can spread the cost over several years, saving you from having to scramble around to pay a one-off fee. If you go down this route, make sure the interest rates are reasonable, and the final cost still allows you to save money.
Understand The Maintenance Requirements
Solar panels are as set as forget as they can be, but they still require maintenance to ensure they are working efficiently and producing energy. You can refer to your installer’s recommendations when it comes to this, as most manufacturers will have differing schedules and ways of doing it.
Solar energy can be a hugely advantageous way to produce your own energy, reduce bills, and possibly even live off the grid if that’s your preference. Just make sure that your location is conducive to this solution and look for incentives that can help lower the final bill.
