FAQs
When you install solar panels on your home, you’ll save money and help eliminate harmful carbon emissions from your local environment. It’s easy to get excited about the prospect. But before you add solar panels to your roof, what questions should you ask to make sure solar energy makes sense for your home and your situation?
Do I need a new roof to go solar?
Solar panels should be installed on a roof that is in good condition. Assessing your roof condition is an important step in determining your home’s viability for solar power. Depending on the age of your roof, you may want to consider replacing or repairing your roof before adding solar panels. The good news is that nearly every type of roof (asphalt, shingled, clay tile) can accommodate solar panels. Our professional solar installer will address your roof viability early on in the process.
Do we need to rewire our home to get solar power?
Is my home facing the right way for solar energy?
Historically, homes facing south were considered optimal for solar panels because they harnessed the most energy from the sun. But advancements in solar technology enable high-performance solar panels like SunPower’s to harness plenty of clean energy from a roof that’s not optimally oriented to the sun—even on cloudy days. And since some utilities pay more for solar energy sent to the grid during times of peak demand such as late in the day, western or southwestern-facing roofs that capture more of the setting sun can often generate solar energy that’s actually higher value to the homeowner.
Do I have to cut down trees to generate enough solar energy for my home?
Will solar power lower the value of my house?
What is the best way for solar panels to face?
South-facing solar panels have another advantage for homes that have access to net metering, which allows homeowners to get reimbursed for power they send back to the electrical grid. South-facing solar panel orientation collects the most energy around mid-day when there’s lots of sun. But that’s also when the home’s consumption is typically lowest because everyone’s off to work, school, etc. That means there’s lots of solar-generated power left to go back to the utility.