6 Things To Consider Before Installing Solar Panels At Your Property Or Home
Have you given installing solar panels any thought recently? Going solar is essential, whether it’s to lower your electricity bills, gain independence from grid power, increase the value of your home, or to enjoy uninterrupted power. We value your well-considered decision!
Even though installing solar panels at your house or place of business might be financially rewarding, there are a few things to think about first!
To determine your energy generation and potential savings, have a look at these characteristics before searching for the top solar providers in your area.
Roof’s suitability
One of the most important things to think about is whether your roof is suitable for holding solar panels. There are a few things to consider in order to assess its applicability.
Roof space- It matters how much roof space is available. Example- A 320-watt panel is typically 17.5 square feet in size. A roof area of roughly 525 square feet is required if you’re thinking of installing a 10 kilowatt household solar array with about 30 panels. The precise amount, however, may change based on your real energy consumption.
South-facing roofs with an inclination of between 15 and 40 degrees are the optimum for solar panel performance. They benefit from the best possible direct sunshine placement. But since our country (Kenya) is within the equator line, the south orientation does not matter that much.
Roof Age and Condition
Considering solar panels is an expensive purchase, you need to ensure that your roof will withstand the panels’ average 25–30 years of life. Before adding solar panels, it could be preferable to replace your roof if it needs repairs or is getting close to the end of its useful life.
Choose a roofing material that will last your system’s lifespan, if not longer. This is where tile and metal roofing excel since they last much longer than most solar arrays, which typically last 25 to 30 years. Metal roofing can last up to 100 years. Although asphalt shingles are also fantastic, choose higher-quality ones to ensure their lifespan. The area surrounding your roof should also be taken into account.
Current Energy Usage
To what extent do you consume electricity? This will assist you in figuring out how big of a solar panel system you require. Your power statement will show you how much electricity you use on average each month.
Determining how much solar energy you need to create will be made easier if you have an understanding of your energy usage patterns and the amount of your existing energy bills. A trustworthy installer will calculate the price per watt (Ksh/W).
Financing
Long-term savings from solar panels are alluring, but their upfront cost may be a deterrent. It’s important to consider the possible savings on your electricity bill in the future when comparing the initial cost. Even while most systems have excellent warranties and require little maintenance, don’t forget to budget for possible extra expenses like cleaning the panels when they are covered in dust.
Your geographical location
Kenya’s geographical location makes it an ideal contender for solar energy. Solar panels may provide a sizable amount of electricity, decreasing your dependency on the grid, since there are enough sunny hours throughout the year. But even with Kenya’s bright climate, there are certain location-specific elements to take into account.
Sunshine Hours: It’s important to know just how much sunlight your property gets. More sunshine means more energy being produced. Seek out locations with little cloud cover and obstacles, like large structures or a lot of trees, that could provide your roof with shade during the day.
Patterns of Rainfall: Although Kenya experiences rainy seasons, these usually don’t last long enough to have a major effect on the production of solar panels. But if you live somewhere with regular, intense downpours that keep out the sun for a long time, that’s something to take into consideration. You could budget for more solar panels to help fill up your battery quickly.
Available Providers
The solar market in Kenya is booming and offers a range of suppliers to meet your demands.
Homeowners should investigate several sales and installation businesses as they offer two different services. The sales organisation is a separate legal entity that will sell a product to a homeowner and then turn it over to an installer they have partnered with. Most solar installers will choose their solar providers with high quality products , so you will not have to worry about that.
Related Reads: Tips for Choosing the Right Solar Energy Company
Conclusion
Investing in solar energy has numerous benefits. Making the most of your investment is something you want to ensure as a homeowner, and this begins with thorough planning and preparation. To get the most out of a solar energy system, you need to think about how to best fit it into your home’s architecture. The space on your property that is available for a solar system, your energy requirements, and any other services you might require to support it should all be taken into account. Choose Voltmatic Energy Solutions as it is one of the best solar company that will help you throughout the solar installation journey and beyond.
Contact us today to get a free solar installation quote
Phone number: 0759493610
Email: info@voltmaticenergysolutions.co.ke