Tech & Auto
What You Should Know Before Installing Solar Panels At Home
By AARON GREENBAUM
Benefits
Solar panels save money because users can source most of their electricity from the mounted panels, and energy companies might pay for your surplus electricity.
Solar panels also raise your house's value by $20 for every dollar they save you on electricity and produce fewer pollutants than many other electricity generators.
Expensive
Solar panels save you money in the long run, but as of 2024, the average solar panel system costs $12,700. This amount takes an average of 10 years to earn back.
Plenty of companies offer loan programs and leasing systems. While these are more affordable, you can't collect any solar tax credits while paying off or leasing solar panels.
Permit
Depending on where you live, you may need a permit before you can install solar panels. If you rent a house or apartment, you also need to seek permission from your landlord.
Roof
When installing panels, you need between 200 to 1,000 square feet of space to properly power your house. It can also be more costly if your roof slopes to the East or West.
You also need to know that your roof will hold up under the weight of solar panels for several decades. If your roof is older, consider replacing it before installing panels.
Don’t DIY
Solar panels come with warranties, but this only applies to solar panels that were installed by licensed professionals. Installing them yourself could void the warranty.
DIY installations also carry numerous other risks, as improperly installed solar panels could blow away, get water in them, and void your roof’s warranty as well as their own.