When we moved into our home, there were some things that we knew we wanted to upgrade. For starters, the place had some really old appliances, and we could tell they were taking up loads of energy. Instead of worrying about it, we began looking for ways to improve the house by replacing the appliances with more energy efficient versions. We found a great appliance shop that had exactly what we were looking for, and they were even having a little sale on their products. This website is completely dedicated to energy efficient items, because you never know when you will need them.
Solar panels can be an upgrade that allows you to reduce your home's energy costs while also increasing its resale value. If you're interested in getting solar panels, there are some basic best practices that you should follow.
1. Install the Panels Where They’ll Receive the Most Sunlight
Most residential homes will have angled roofing. This means that you will want to be mindful to place your solar panels on the side of the house that will typically receive the most sunlight. In addition to considering the path of the sun, you should also consider the way that major shadows will move across the roof over the course of the day. Before installing the solar panels, a contractor can assess the roof to determine the side that will provide you with the best energy production.
2. Consider the Drainage of Water Around the Solar Panels
The placement of solar panels can impact the way that water flows off the roof during heavy rain. Failing to account for this can lead to instances where water may be unable to fully drain from the roof. When installing the solar panels, this can be minimized by adding channels or elevating the solar panels so that water will run away from their base. These features can be useful in almost any environment or roof design, and they will be an affordable addition to make to your new solar panel system. However, it will be the easiest and most cost-effective if you make these improvements when the solar panels are first installed.
3. Appreciate Storm-Rated Anchors for the Solar Panels
Strong winds can be one of the biggest threats to a solar panel system. As the wind collides with the roof and the solar panels, it can put a tremendous amount of strain on them. To prevent these solar panels from being moved or even torn from the roof, they will need to be securely anchored in place. While standard anchors are designed with wind resistance in mind, it can be useful to opt for anchors that are rated for hurricanes. This can be the case even if your home is not near the ocean as tornadoes and other high wind events can overwhelm standard anchors far more easily. These anchors will have a low profile and they are relatively lightweight so that they can easily accommodate most solar panel systems.
For more information, contact solar panel companies.