If your community is like most others nowadays, you’re probably seeing more and more solar panels on your neighbor’s roofs. That’s because more and more homeowners are subscribing to the benefits of having their own personal solar system. And when weighing the cost of solar panels and solar installation against the prospect of long-term savings and free, clean energy, it’s easy to see why so many people have jumped on the bandwagon.
Is the solar energy craze looking appealing to you too? If so, then the first step to setting up your own solar system is finding out how many solar panels you need for your home.
Calculating the Required Number of Panels
The first step in determining the size of the solar power system needed to generate sufficient energy for your home is by calculating your average electricity consumption. The amount of energy consumed, of course, can greatly vary from household to household.
To give you an idea, the typical home with more than 2 people in it needs an average of 16 panels to cover the home’s electrical requirements. A 2,500 square foot house would need up to 18.
Again, these are averages, and they can vary greatly depending on your household size and energy needs. It’s therefore best to get advice from a professional rather than try to make a guess. They will help you determine the ideal number of panels for your solar installation.
Getting the Most Out of Your Solar Panels
Buying and installing solar panels for your home is easy. However, as a responsible homeowner, you need to make the most out of your solar installation by using the system properly. Below are 4 simple ways to optimize your solar power system:
1. Always clean the panels.
If you own solar panels, a little extra care can go a long way. You need to keep solar panels clean at all times, either manually or by hiring an expert. Find a reliable solar maintenance company to clean those tricky parts if you can’t do it yourself.
2. Invest in a monitoring system.
It’s important to always check your solar panel performance. Once the energy production drops, a monitoring system will tell you if maintenance is needed. Other benefits of monitoring include keeping track of the amount of energy that’s being produced by each panel. This is a good way to have a better idea of how much energy you’re saving.
3. Adjust panels according to the season.
By making adjustments to your solar installation throughout the year, you have a better chance of generating the highest amount of energy from them. Take note, however, that this is more applicable to ground-mount solar installations than residential roof installations.
4. Be sure the panels are facing the right way.
There have been studies that claimed most of the solar panels in the world are facing the wrong way. Scientists suggest you face the panels to the west rather than the usual south.
With a solar installation, homeowners can enjoy different kinds of state and federal incentives to repay a portion of the system’s cost. Are you considering making the switch to solar energy? Let us help you find the best solar panels for your home. Contact us today for more details.
