| Solar panel systems have a bright future in the roofing | | | | energy to fit your needs. |
| industry and for home and building owners alike. Solar | | | | 5. Determine the required size and Watts. |
| panels, also known as solar photovoltaic panels are | | | | To begin, study your electricity bill. It will provide you |
| excellent tools for reducing monthly electric bills, | | | | with a lot of useful information to estimate your energy |
| providing clean power, lowering dependence on | | | | needs. Find out how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you |
| traditional fossil fuels, and adding value to a home or | | | | use per day, month and year. When sunlight is optimal, |
| building. Installing rooftop solar panels is one of the best | | | | a 100 Watt panel will generate 100 Watts of electricity |
| ways to increase the value of a home or building. And, | | | | per hour. Most homes electricity needs can be fulfilled |
| not to mention the fact that federal legislation | | | | with a solar system between 1 to 5 kilowatts or |
| extended a 30% tax credit for commercial and | | | | 1,000-5,000 Watts. And in general, 1 square foot of |
| residential solar panel installations. | | | | solar photovoltaic panels in bright sunlight yields 10 |
| The following "7 Steps to Installing Solar Panels" can | | | | Watts, but that can vary depending on the type. |
| be used to guide both commercial and residential | | | | Ultimately, when determining the required size of solar |
| customers through the solar panel shopping and | | | | panels be sure that they will supply enough electricity |
| installation process, and help make it as smooth and | | | | to meet or exceed your needs. |
| easy as possible. | | | | 6. Choose the Solar Panel Type. |
| 1. Make your home more energy efficient. | | | | There are 3 main types of solar photovoltaic panels |
| Before you begin the solar installation process you first | | | | that are available to choose from and vary in |
| need to examine the energy efficiency of your home. | | | | efficiencies. |
| Adding solar photovoltaic panels to a home with poor | | | | * Mono-crystalline panels are essentially one large solar |
| energy efficiency is not going to provide the results | | | | cell. They are smaller than the polycrystalline panels. |
| you expected. In some states to be applicable for the | | | | * Poly-crystalline panels are comprised of many small |
| tax credit your home needs to have an energy audit | | | | cells grouped together which produce a little less |
| performed before the solar panel system is installed, | | | | efficiency than the mono-crystalline panels, and are |
| making your home's energy efficiency paramount. | | | | potentially available for a lesser cost. |
| Here are some tips to make your home more energy | | | | * Amorphous (or thin-film) panels are larger in size and |
| efficient: | | | | require more space than the other panels. However, |
| * Upgrade or replace windows | | | | there are other significant benefits, such as a lower |
| * Well insulate walls and attic | | | | cost, versatility, flexibility and greater efficiencies in the |
| * Replace inefficient hot water heaters and/or | | | | Midwest. |
| furnaces | | | | It should be noted that efficiency only addresses the |
| * Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact | | | | amount of light that is created on bright sunny days. |
| fluorescent bulbs | | | | The thin film panels have the unique ability to produce |
| 2. Evaluate the solar site or roof. | | | | watts in low light and overcast conditions, therefore |
| Ask yourself a few questions: Is the roof strong | | | | increasing its yield of watts over the same time for the |
| enough to support the panels? Is the available space | | | | other panels in less than optimal climates like the |
| large enough to hold the panels? Does the roof offer | | | | Midwest. Side by side comparisons in the desert |
| southern exposure? And most important, does your | | | | reveal one thing, but side by side comparison in an |
| roof receive enough sun light? Solar panels are | | | | area that only has 4.2 hours of sunlight on average |
| recommended to receive full sun exposure between | | | | daily, the thin film provides a distinct advantage. |
| 9am and 3pm in order for them to be the most | | | | One must also consider that the framework required |
| effective. | | | | to mount the panel type vs. the thin film can add cost |
| 3. Get competitive bids. | | | | and future maintenance. |
| Solar panels are a big investment, but done correctly | | | | As there are different types of solar photovoltaic |
| they can provide a significant return and increase the | | | | panel roofing systems available, there are also |
| value of a building or home. Shop around a little and | | | | different types of installation methods, such as a |
| find the best price. But be aware; don't just look for the | | | | grid-tied system, which offers the ability to have more |
| cheapest price. Find a well established retailer and | | | | solar photovoltaic panels added at a later date. |
| installer with a strong track record. Educate yourself | | | | 7. Review the quote and solar system specifications. |
| and ask the right questions, because sometimes a | | | | Read the fine print and be clear on all aspects of the |
| higher costing solar system might be the better option, | | | | new solar panel system. Here are specific points to |
| and in the long run provide a higher return on your | | | | review: |
| investment. | | | | * Total Cost - Labor, installation and equipment. |
| 4. Research the cost. | | | | * Projected savings - how many years will it take to |
| Solar photovoltaic panels vary in cost, which is usually | | | | pay itself off? |
| determined by the size measured in Watts, the actual | | | | * Operational and maintenance costs |
| dimensions, the brand, the longevity, the warranty, and | | | | * Required permit costs, if any |
| any certifications the solar panel might have. As solar | | | | * Solar system make and model - is it a trustworthy |
| systems increase in size so does the price. Expect to | | | | brand? |
| pay approximately double for a solar system of | | | | * Taxes |
| double the watts. | | | | * Tax credits - 30% federal tax credit with no cap. |
| It is probably a good idea to receive multiple quotes, | | | | * Utility rebates |
| and if there are large differences inquire why. And, as | | | | * Warranty - how many years? Most reputable |
| mentioned before, don't choose your solar panels | | | | brands will offer a 25 year warranty. If less, inquire |
| based solely on price; make sure it will supply enough | | | | how long it takes to pay itself off. |