When switching to solar, it can seem like a daunting process; however, it doesn’t have to be. There are about three things you should know when purchasing solar, and I am going to break them down for the sake of creating simplicity.
Manufacturers, installation, and maintenance are three sections we will unpack today. By the end of this article, ideally you’ll be more pumped to switch to solar and less nervous.
Manufacturers
When starting your solar journey, becoming overwhelmed by all the different brands and panels is to be expected. There are many different panels on the market, and properly deciding what is best for you can feel impossible.
Luckily, you are not alone. As a Solar Educator, I work with clients every day to help guide them with their panel purchases. Typically when I work with clients, I make sure they understand what makes a panel a good one.
Efficiency, temperature coefficient, and warranty are the variables to look at.
A high efficiency rating is important because this measures how much the panel can convert sunlight it captures into electricity.
Temperature coefficient measures how little or how much a panel’s production is lowered in hot weather. The lower the coefficient, the better.
Warranties are important because anything can happen, and it is best if your panels are covered. Typical warranties can last up to 20 years or more, but it is still very important to make sure you're picking panels that do great work.
Installation
Installations are important because your quality of energy will rely on an installer's quality of work. These are the guys that come in and mount the panels on your roof. It’s important that you get the best installers for your home because it can save you money.
A great installation can last over 20 years. Allowing you to save for a longer period of time without worrying about your monthly bill. The install is relatively quick, with a working time of 1-2 days.
The installers I partner up with are respectable experts who honor the work they do, and the homes they work on.
Maintenance
Once you’ve picked your panel, had it installed, and are left with your new energy source, maintenance is all that is left.
Keeping your panels clean is not heavy duty. It is recommended that between two to four times per year, you do some light cleaning to ensure leaves, dirt, and debris are not obstructing the rays of the sun.
There are ways to monitor your energy levels, and typically when there’s a dip it’s due to the panels being covered. This can especially happen during heavy snowfall, for example, but wiping it away is all you need to do.
Maintenance is not usually included in the warranties, but if there are irreversible weather damage or manufacturing malfunctions, your warranty can cover those repairs right away.
Transitioning to solar requires multiple steps and some educating, but it is not as daunting of a process as it may seem. If you want to learn more about switching to solar and have more of your questions answered, please click the link below to schedule a call with me today!
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