If you’re interested in home solar panels, you’ve come to the right place! This post covers the decision-making process. (It’s a follow-up to my last post on home wind turbines.) The decision-making process for solar panels and wind turbines is pretty similar; what makes each unique is the resources you’ll consult—and your capacity for bad “solar system” puns.
When considering home solar panels, first assess your solar resource—a shmancy way of saying how much sunlight your area gets. Check out this map from the Department of Energy for a broad overview. To estimate how much electricity you could produce with home solar panels, try the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s In My Backyard tool or PVWatts calculator. Living in an area with less intense or abundant sun doesn’t necessarily preclude you from installing home solar panels, but it will change the economics.
Speaking of the economics of home solar panels, mull over the type of solar electric system you want. Will it connect to the grid or stand alone? What type of photovoltaic technology will you use? What system size will be best? Another factor in determining the up-front cost of solar panels (and how long they’ll take to pay for themselves) will be federal solar panel tax credits and state, local, and utility incentives. A solar pro can walk you through some of the financial and technological considerations for home solar panels.
Finally, consider any local codes, covenants, or ordinances that might apply to your home solar panels. Talk to your homeowner’s association, local building codes official, and local government to ensure everything’s ship-shape and you know the regulations.
Not sure about home solar panels? The Florida Solar Energy Center has a bevy of info and decision tools to help guide you toward a system that’s right for you. Or this guide to home solar panels from the Department of Energy walks you through investing in a photovoltaic system, finding a PV provider, and connecting to the grid. Alternately, contact your state energy office or your local chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.
Interested in renewable energy, but not up for the challenge or cost of solar panels or wind turbines? Check back soon for the final entry in this blog series, “When Neither Solar Nor Wind Will Do.”
Image: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Amy Foster Parish is on staff with the Washington State University Extension Energy Program. In her spare time, she enjoys debating the pros and cons of renewable energy installations. And knitting.