The 3 Most Commonly Asked Questions About Installing Solar Power in a Home
Installing solar power in your home can be a very efficient and eco-friendly way of providing your home with the power it needs while reducing your utility costs. Many homes and even businesses are choosing to add solar panels to their roofs even if just for heating their water, one of the largest uses for electricity in most homes. Before you have solar panels installed, you should consider a few commonly asked questions that most homeowners have. This will ensure you know what's involved and what to expect with solar panel systems.
1. Why can't I install solar panels myself?
Solar panels are not simply screwed to your roof and then plugged into a wall, but they are much more complicated than you may realize. They need to be positioned so that they absorb the most sunlight during the day. There is also an inverter, which converts the energy the solar panels take from the sun to the power that is used by your home. This inverter needs to be properly wired to the panels and then to your home's electrical systems. This type of work is usually outside the area of expertise of most homeowners, so it's often good to leave it to a professional.
2. Does solar power increase a home's property value or taxes?
This depends on where you live but in most areas, having solar panels can increase the likelihood of your home being sold versus other comparable homes on the market. You may also find that these panels don't increase your property taxes but that you may actually be eligible for tax deductions or other credits. Your solar installer can usually tell you if you're eligible for such a credit in your area and a real estate agent can advise on how solar panels affect your home's property value or resale value.
3. Do shade and wintertime affect solar panels?
Solar panels do need sunlight to absorb its electricity, but note that these panels store power that it converts so it's available when you need it. Solar panels don't work only when the sun is out and then "shut off" at night or during wintertime. You may still need to be connected to your city's power supply so you can get electricity when your solar panels do not have enough power stored, but shade, wintertime, nighttime, inclement weather, and factors like these do not cause your panels to just outright stop working.