Solar Panels - 10 Factors You Must Know Before Installing

Solar panels are a great way to supplement your energy needs and save money, but they should be considered carefully before you invest in them.

So you want to install solar panels!

Solar panels are a great way to supplement your energy needs and save money, but they should be considered carefully before you invest in them. If you want to learn more about solar panels and how they work, check out our guide below:

1. What do you want to power?

Lucent Home Energy

The first question you should ask yourself is what type of power you want to generate. If you want to generate electricity, then the size of the system will be important. If you want to power up your AC unit, then the amount of shade on your roof will influence how many solar panels are needed for a system.

As an example: if your house has no shade at all and needs a 5kW system, but it's in an area where there is lots of trees around then a 4kW system might be better because it'll still produce enough power while reducing overall installation costs (and environmental impact).

2. How big of a system will you need?

How big of a system will you need

If you’re trying to figure out how big of a solar system you need, think about the following questions:

  • How much energy do I use?
  • How big is my house?
  • Do I have a pool or play sports on my property (and if so, how often)?

3. How much shade does your roof get?

How much shade does your roof get

Shade can be a big problem for your solar panels. If you have too much shade, the amount of sun that reaches your solar panels will be significantly less than if there were no shade at all. This means that your system won't perform as well, and it may even fail completely.

The best way to measure how much shade is on your roof is to use an online tool like Solar Calculator (https://www.solarcalculator.net/). This tool measures the angle and length of shadows cast by trees or other objects around your home during different times of day throughout the year. You'll need to enter this information into Solar Calculator so that it can tell you exactly how much sunlight falls on each panel at different times of day throughout the year—and then compare those measurements with how much sunlight would fall directly onto a panel under perfect conditions (i.e., no trees nearby).

4. Do you qualify for tax credits or rebates?

Do you qualify for tax credits or rebates

If you're thinking about installing solar panels, it's important to know that tax credits and rebates are available in many areas.

Tax credits are available for both residential and commercial installations. Rebates, on the other hand, are typically only available for residential installations—but they can be more valuable than tax credits!

Before you decide how to finance your new solar panels, make sure you understand how much money you'll receive from either a tax credit or rebate.

5. Should you buy or lease your system?

Should you buy or lease your system

The decision to buy or lease a solar energy system should be based on your plans for the home. Generally, buying is better if you plan to stay in your house for a long time. Leasing is ideal if you are planning on moving within the next few years or selling your house in the near future.

6. What kind of maintenance do solar panels require?

What kind of maintenance do solar panels require

In order to make sure that your solar panels are working at their maximum capability and efficiency, you have to maintain them. This will ensure they last as long as possible. There are a few things that can be done to help keep your system in good condition:

  • Clean the panels regularly. While they don't need to be cleaned every day, it's important that they get washed off at least once every few months (more often if there is a lot of dust or debris on the surface).
  • Inspect them regularly. You'll want to take a look at the condition of your solar panel systems at least once every year so you can check for cracks or other damage that could indicate an issue with how well it's operating under normal conditions.
  • Maintain them properly and replace parts when necessary (typically after about 10 years). The lifespan of any given solar panel depends on its exposure level, but generally speaking most will last between 15-20 years without needing replacement parts if properly maintained throughout this period and operated under optimal conditions

7. How long will your solar panels last?

How long will your solar panels last

To make sure that you are getting the most out of your solar power system, it is important to know how long they are expected to last. Typically, solar panels can last 25 years, but this will depend on a few factors:

  • How well maintained they were throughout their lifespan
  • How well they were installed (and by whom) at the start
  • The environment in which they are installed

8. How much power can an average solar panel generate?

The size and orientation of your solar panels will affect the amount of power they generate. Most solar panels can produce about 200 watts of electricity, but the efficiency depends on their size. For example, a typical home installation might include 60-watt solar modules—although this varies depending on where you live and whether you have any special needs that require additional capacity.

The total number of kilowatts your system can produce depends on how many solar panels are installed at your home or business. The average rooftop has enough room for 20-22 kilowatts; however, it’s important to make sure there is enough space before installing too many units in one place.

9. Do I have to install batteries with my solar panels?

Do I have to install batteries with my solar panels

When you install solar panels, there are two main options for storing the electricity they produce. You can either store it in batteries or send it straight to the grid. While both options have their advantages and disadvantages, they’re not mutually exclusive: you can use both at once.

Batteries come with a number of drawbacks that make them less popular than other storage methods. On top of being expensive and difficult to install, maintain and replace (if necessary), many people have concerns about the environmental impact of disposing of old batteries.[6] A lot of energy goes into manufacturing a battery—and even more energy will be required to recycle it when its useful life is up.

10. What kind of warranty is offered on solar panels?

What kind of warranty is offered on solar panels

The warranty that comes with your solar panels is an important factor to consider. A good warranty will have minimal restrictions and will last for a long time. If you have to replace the panels before the end of their life, it can be costly due to labor costs and additional parts required. Make sure you know what kind of warranty is offered on solar panels before deciding whether or not they're right for your home.

The average length of a solar panel warranty ranges from 10-15 years, which is usually based on wattage and quality ratings (such as UL certification).

Bonus: Solar Power Credit (30%)!

Well you heard it here first! If you're thinking about installing solar panels on your home, you should know that you're in luck: there's a tax credit for that! 

It's called the 30% Federal Tax Credit and it's available to anyone who installs qualified solar panels on their home as long as they meet certain criteria. 

Bonus: Solar Power Credit (30%)

Check your eligibility today for the Solar Power Credit (30%)!"

Conclusion

We hope you’ve learned more about solar panels and what they can do for your home or business. There are many factors to consider when installing them, but the most important one is ensuring that your system will meet all of your needs. If you want to learn more about solar energy and how it can help save money on utility bills, check out our blog!

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