Is my home right for solar ?
There are a couple variables that will determine if your home is a good candidate for solar. A full south roof orientation is not critical, but the more direct sunlight your solar panels receive, the more power they produce.
To accurately estimate the solar production potential of your property, a site audit is indispensable. That’s why we always perform a thorough site assessment to determine precise measurements and observe the shading exposure of the area recognized for the installation of the solar panels.
Different areas have different production potential, thus represent different savings and different returns of investment.
Here are the main factors impacting the production of a solar system.
Available roof space and shape of your roof
How big is your roof? Available roof space determines how large of a system you can install. The larger the system, the more power it can produce. A general rule is that for each kW of your solar system size, you will need about 100 square feet of roof space. A typical home system may require about 400 square feet of space to install solar panels.
Also, keep in mind that things like skylights, dormers, chimneys, or other elements that break up the open space on your roof will affect the amount of available space.
When space is lacking on your roof, a ground mount system might be a better options for you.
Direction and pitch of the roof
In general, south facing roofs are best, but east and west facing roofs still allow you to produce enough energy to get rid of your electricity bills, save a lot of money and reduce your carbon footprint. Ideal roofs present a 30-degree angle, but solar panels will still work if the pitch is between 15 and 40 degrees. Even if your roof is flat, you can still go solar by mounting your panels at a good angle.
Shading of the roof
Are there any trees, adjacent homes or obstacles blocking sun exposure on your roof? Excessive shading will compromise your system’s performance so recording the sun exposure during the site audit is another critical step in the design of your solar system. Trimming trees or considering a ground mount system can resolve shading issues.