The Sun Can Improve Your Budget 

As weather fluctuates, maintaining the comfort of your living space can get expensive. The cost of electricity alone can represent a large portion of the average family’s budget, and many look for ways to cut back on their reliance on things such as always-on lighting, entertainment devices and even central air systems. One newer solution to the energy issue is the installation of solar panels on or near the home. These square or rectangular objects are made with various materials covering solar cells - or silicon wafers - and absorb the sun’s rays for conversion into energy. When the panels are connected to your home’s grid, they can be dedicated to use for smaller appliances such as a refrigerator and several lamps. If you intend to completely sever your dependency on your electric company, you will need to install an appropriate number of panels to handle your needs. Once you commit to “off-grid” living, consider the following points to ensure a smooth transition.   

Know the Cost 

While the savings that you will experience are substantial, there may be some initial costs that you will need to keep in mind. Some homeowners may feel comfortable with tracking down the materials and assembling their own panels, but most would prefer to hire a professional solar expert to assess their situation and install the panels quickly and neatly. If you fall into this latter category of homeowners, you will be paying for both the materials and the cost of labor to install them. Fortunately, there are a few options available to cover the charges. You can utilize savings, the equity that may have accumulated on your home’s value, or even a solar loan to finance this home improvement. For further incentive, there are also tax credits that may replace any money that you need to spend up front. In some cases, those tax credits can even add up to an amount that essentially pays for the total cost of the panels. Most solar panel manufacturers and installation companies will be able to give you more information on government programs and financing options that will be best for you. They may also offer a free estimate and energy audit so that you can make the best informed decision for your family.

Plan Perfect Placement

Of course, you will need to install the panels in an area where the maximum amount of sunlight is received. Sometimes this will mean that they are placed on the roof - assuming that there is enough available space for them. The panels must be secure and angled appropriately, and should be in close proximity to one another. If your roof cannot support the number of panels that you require, you may need to locate them in a particularly sunny spot of your yard. Just be sure to remember that you will need to keep them clear of debris and should be able to maneuver around them easily.

Strategize for the Future

Also consider that your needs may change as you use your solar-powered home. If you find that you need more power, you will have to install additional panels, and therefore you will require an additional amount of space for them. Choosing an area of your roof or property that will allow for such an expansion will help you to avoid any costly, time-consuming rearrangements of the existing setup.

As more people become interested in living closer to nature and reducing their carbon footprint, the options for doing so increase. Costs decrease, and homes are improved and retain more property value on the real estate market. All reasons for installing solar panels are good, and the savings that will result are hard to resist!