Solar Panel Installation Lessons You Dont Want to Learn

Solar panels offer a way for you manage your dependence on grid power and reduce your monthly utility bills. Those factors and a growing feeling of environmental concern are leading many people to install solar panels. The do-it-yourself route, while potentially less expensive, has its hazards though. Here are some hard lessons learned from installing solar panels.

Your Roof Is Weak

Home construction standards haven't caught up with the solar trend. The trusses that probably hold your roof up are designed to support the weight of plywood and shingles or similar roofing materials. A full array of solar panels is heavy, and needing to repair a roof damaged by the weight of solar panels is a costly and frustrating process.

Have a contractor or structural engineer assess your roof and its support structure to determine if the roof can support the weight. If it can't, and you're committed to installing solar, you'll need to have the roof reinforced before you start.

Due South

When it comes to solar panels, the old truism that you want good southern exposure isn't just a truism. It's a necessity. Solar panels work best with direct exposures to sunlight. As the sun travels east to west, the southern exposure receives the maximum amount of direct light and solar panels on a southern exposure produce the maximum amount of electricity.

For homes with limited southern exposure, building an independent platform that provides the panels a southern exposure is often more viable. Installing solar panels only to have them produce minimal amounts of electricity because of poor alignment is like watching someone walk away with your wallet.

Hire an Electrician

For solar panels that you intend to hook into the grid, you need to hire an electrician. Installing the wiring incorrectly can not only damage the equipment and negate any warranty, but even damage your home. Then there is that pesky detail of getting a hefty fine slapped against you for violating local regulations and needing to disconnect your solar panels.

Some cities require that a licensed electrician handle all of the wiring that connects your solar panels to the main electrical grid. At minimum, check into the local regulations, but your best bet is to hire that electrician.

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Solar Panel Installation Lessons You Dont Want to Learn