If you are interested in going greener, one of the most significant investments you can make is solar panel installation. About five years ago, according to Energysage.com, the most efficient solar panels were between 17 and 18%. Fast forward to 2020, homeowners can now get more affordable quotes for systems that are between 20 and 23% efficient. Panels are increasingly becoming more affordable. However, before you add solar, there are several things that you need to do to prepare.

Solar Consultation

One of the first steps to take is a solar consultation. It's important to ensure that solar providers have all the right information so they can make the best recommendations for your needs. You should also keep in mind that the package you choose should ensure the best return on investment. This is why you need to choose a package that suits your needs.

Figure Out How Much Energy You Use

Solar panel systems come in various sizes and capacities. This means you need to first figure out how much power you use. This will enable you to get the right amount of panels for your array. The best way to figure out how much power you need would be to gather a year's worth of electric bills. These bills carry all the information you need about your monthly usage. If you can't find the physical bill, you can also get this information online or request it from your provider.

Estimate Future Energy Usage

It's not enough to just think about the energy you are using at the moment. You must also think about what your future energy needs look like. For instance, are you planning to buy an electric car anytime soon? Or maybe you want to install a hot tub? You must keep these things in mind when trying to determine the size of the system to get from your solar providers.

Look for Incentives

Once you are done with the consultation, you might need to check and see if there are any solar incentives being offered by the federal, state, and local governments. You can also ask your solar providers these questions. In most instances, they should have this information at hand. For instance, in 2019, the federal government was offering a 30% tax credit to all homeowners intending to install solar systems. However, you should keep in mind that each state has different incentives.

Get a Roof Inspection

Before you order a solar panel installation, it's crucial to make sure that your roof is intact. If there are any issues, you must get them fixed before the panels are installed. You can also find out if your solar installation company has a structural engineer who can come to evaluate your home to determine if the roof can support solar panels. Also, if your roof is old or if there are leaks, all this should be fixed. You may also be lucky if your solar providers also provide roof repair services. That way, you can get everything under one roof.

Check Permissions for Your Area

For homeowners who are part of a homeowners association (HOA), it might be important to check with your association to find out if solar is allowed in your subdivision. If there are any approvals that are needed, the best way would be to get your solar installation company to secure any approvals. Apart from that, your local jurisdiction will also require that you have a permit. With solar systems, you might be interested in feeding back some excess electricity into the grid. However, this requires you to inform your utility that you are installing solar.

Set a Date for the Installation

Once everything is sorted, set a date for the installation. As the day approaches, you should make a plan for yourself and your family. Unless you don't mind being around when people are busy moving on the roof and hammering, you should find somewhere to go. If you and your family plan to go somewhere, it's important to ensure that you are available by phone. You must also not go too far away so you can quickly come back in case the installation company runs into any unforeseen challenges.

These are some of the things you will need to do to prepare for solar installation. It's important to work with a reliable solar installation company for the best outcome. If you are interested in installing a solar system in your home, get in touch with us to arrange a solar consultation.