There’s a lot to be said about buying solar panels and having them installed on your property as a way to reduce your energy costs. Investing in solar panels can do a lot to decrease your carbon footprint, not to mention help you save in the long run.
It’s also worth noting that, since the technology came about, there have been advancements and improvements, as well as government subsidies in many areas to encourage people to switch to solar. Despite this good news, though, there are other factors you need to consider before you ultimately decide to get a solar energy system for your property – and it’s not just about solar maintenance service. Here’s what you need to know.
Location
This is undoubtedly the most important factor to consider before getting a solar panel system. If your property is located somewhere that doesn’t generally get a lot of direct sunlight, then solar panels may not be the best option for you. It’s not just the regional or local weather, too. Tall trees on the property and nearby buildings can affect your system’s exposure to sunlight.
While it’s true that some panels are more sensitive to sunlight than others, the main issue here is how efficient the solar panel system will be overall. Even if it performs well in slightly overcast conditions compared to another system that isn’t as sensitive, it still won’t be producing as much energy as it could be. Some systems even shut down entirely when there’s no direct sunlight, meaning you’d have to use energy from the grid to power certain fixtures in your home or commercial building.
Time
While you can expect your electric bill to be reduced immediately after the solar panels are installed, it will still take some time before your investment pays off. Often, it takes at least 5 years for this to happen.
So if you’re not planning to stay on your current property for long, or you move around a lot for one reason or another, then it isn’t worth investing in solar panels. This is especially true with residential properties, even if a solar energy system will raise the value of said property. You can still find other ways to reduce your electric bill, of course.
On the other hand, if you’re planning on staying put, then by all means, go ahead and invest in that solar panel system.
Energy Consumption
Energy needs differ depending on the electronic devices typically in use on a property, and how long they’re in use. Your monthly electric bill will be helpful in figuring out how much electricity you need, on average, so that you’ll know how many panels you’ll need.
Price
As mentioned earlier, the costs of investing in solar panels has gone down considerably, but it can still become confusing when looking for good, reliable panels that aren’t overpriced while also not being suspiciously under-priced. You’ll need to do some product research to find out what a fair price is, and to see what options will best fit your budget and your needs.
