The Do’s and Don’ts of Installing Solar Panels

If you’ve been thinking about adding solar panels to your home, now is a great time to do it. After all, the cost of solar panels has gone down by nearly 70% over the last 8 years. Before you schedule your solar panel installation, however, there are a few important things you need to know.

Read on to learn the do’s and don’ts of installing solar panels so you’re fully prepared for your green energy project.

Do: Hire an Experienced Company for the Job

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a solar home is who to hire for the job. Start by doing online research to find a great company in your area that has experience installing solar panels on homes like yours.

The easiest way to vet solar companies is to read through reviews from past customers. You can usually find reviews on a company’s website or social media profiles. You can also ask any friends, family members, or colleagues that have solar panels if they would recommend the company they used for their project.

Don’t: Miscalculate Your Energy Needs

Once you decide on a company to hire, they’ll ask you to evaluate your energy needs to help determine what kind of panel setup will work best for your home. Many homeowners make the mistake of looking at their electric bills from the past few months to determine usage.

However, to get a more accurate view of your actual usage, it’s better to look at your bills from the past year. Depending on where you live, you might need more energy in the summer or the winter, so looking at a year’s view is the best way to make an accurate estimate.

Do: Take Advantage of Solar Tax Credits

Installing solar panels is an investment. Fortunately, there are some incentives in place to help make solar energy more affordable for homeowners. Currently, there is a federal solar tax credit in place that you can qualify for when installing panels.

Some states may also offer solar tax credits, so it’s worth looking up the rules and requirements for your particular state to see if you can save even more.

Don’t: Be Fooled by Cloudy Skies

If you live in a cloudy climate, you might not think it’s worth it to invest in solar panels. However, solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to be able to generate electricity. Even on overcast days, your solar panels should be able to generate enough energy for you to stay comfortable in your home.

The solar panel company you hire for the installation will be able to give you more specifics about your area and the kind of output you can expect as well.

Consider Installing Solar Panels on Your Home

Now that you’ve learned about the do’s and don’ts of installing solar panels, you can start planning your project! With the help of the right installation company, you’ll be well on your way to taking advantage of solar energy in no time at all.

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