Solar panels are a great way to save on electricity bills, but they can be expensive if homeowners don’t know what they’re doing. So, it’s essential to understand how much space is available for solar panels and what direction the roof faces. People also need to consider how much electricity their home currently consumes and how much money they’re willing to spend on installing a solar system for the home.
About 3 million households in Australia enjoy the benefits of rooftop solar, alleviating their dependency on the primary electricity grid. And for homes in the cities, especially Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, rooftop solar can help reduce the toll on monthly electricity bills. Likewise, here are some things to consider when getting solar panels.
- How Much Space Is Available for Solar Panels?
The available space on the roof and ground is a critical factor in determining the size of the solar system. So, here are some questions that customers can ask themselves:
- How much space is available on the roof?
- How much space is available in the yard?
- Can a part of the garage be used for a solar system for the home, or does it need more room somewhere else?
If customers have enough room for all three components, it’s time to plan how much money they’ll invest in this project.
- What Is the Direction of the Roof?
If you have a south-facing roof, you should install solar panels in a south-southwest position. This is because most energy companies will not pay for electricity produced by solar panels that are facing east or west.
Customers should also consider the roof type, pitch, and shape. The most common types in Australia are flat roofs and pitched or gabled roofs. Flat roofs are usually made up of several layers of material, such as asphalt shingles or tile. They may be covered with a layer of insulating materials like foam insulation (also called spray polyurethane) that helps trap heat in the winter and retain it in the summer.
On the other hand, gabled roofs have two sides sloping away from each other at different angles. This makes them more susceptible to wind damage than flat ones but provides additional space for air circulation, thus helping keep things cooler during the hot weather season! It’s essential, though, because it affects how much energy can be generated from solar panels installed on top and because installing them incorrectly could lead to dangerous situations where people could get injured due to a lack of proper safety precautions.
- How Much Electricity Does the Home Currently Consume?
The amount of electricity that the home consumes is a good place to start when calculating the solar system’s potential. However, suppose the energy generated by solar panels is used only during peak hours (when demand is highest), and there are no other demands placed on the grid at other times. In that case, one system alone can provide the necessary energy so that all necessary services can still be provided even though there isn’t enough sun shining through photovoltaic panels for proper operation during cloudy conditions.
- How Much Are Australians Willing To Spend On Solar Panels?
The overall budget will determine the size of the system and how many solar panels they need. A small-scale system can be installed for as little as $10,000-$15,000, while medium-sized projects cost between $20,000-$30,000 and large ones above $40,000.
