Sunlight is one of the cleanest and most accessible sources of renewable energy we have in the U.S. today. It’s no surprise many homeowners are now converting their homes to solar power to be more sustainable, lower their carbon footprint, or lower their utility bills. 

Are you interested in going solar at home? Let’s take a look at the considerations you’ll need to make before you decide to do it. 

Steps to Converting a Home to Solar Power

Calculate Your Energy Usage

To estimate how much energy your home uses, you could go by the average kilowatt-hours used every month over the past year as per your electric bill. You could go a step further and calculate the energy used by the appliances in your home. Knowing your energy consumption can help determine the solar power system size your home needs if you intend to make a full conversion or want some panels to help supplement your energy needs. Also, consider ways to save energy and make your home more efficient, such as by investing in energy-saving windows and insulation. 

Consider Your Location

You’ll also want to determine whether you’re actually in a good place to go solar. Sure, you might be in a state that gets plenty of sunlight year-round, but there could be obstructions at your property that would prevent you from maximizing your home’s capacity to generate solar power.  

For instance, tall trees or buildings can cast shadows on your home for a considerable part of the day. They would make it hard for solar panels to catch the necessary amount of sunlight. 

To give you a better idea of what to expect, try out these mapping tools that can estimate your home’s solar power potential. Of course, solar panel contractors can also do this for you. 

Work with a Solar Power Installer

While it’s possible to install solar panels yourself, working with a professional solar panel contractor will help ensure that the system is installed safely and correctly in your home. They’ll inspect your home when developing plans to make sure their designs achieve optimum results. 

The installers will also help you comply with your area’s permit requirements and other solar power regulations. Furthermore, they can guide you through various financing options to make the installation more affordable. 

What You Need to Know about Solar When Converting Your Home

Here are a few more considerations to look over before converting your home to solar power. 

Can You Use Solar Power Even When There’s No Sunshine?

Solar panels need sunlight to generate electricity, so they won’t work at night or on a cloudy day. However, you can have your installer set up solar batteries. These devices will store excess energy for you to use during power outages or any time when the solar panel system isn’t making any power. 

Can You Run an Entire House on Solar Power?

It’s certainly possible to have your house run completely on solar power. However, you’ll also need to make sure your panel system is large enough to cater to all your energy needs, especially on days when there isn’t much sunlight. An installer can design such a setup for you if you want to go 100% solar.

Will Going Solar Affect Your Home’s Value?

Planning to sell your home in the future? Nowadays, solar panels are often viewed as home upgrades—much like renovating part of the house. Converting to solar can help you sell your property faster and even fetch you a higher price—especially with buyers actively searching for solar homes. You’re saving future homeowners from having to invest time and money in installing a solar power system themselves. 

Learn More about Solar Power with Design 1 Solar Group

Converting your home to solar power is a significant investment for anyone, so you’ll likely want to make sure you’re installing a high-quality system that will last you for years to come. 

With Design 1 Solar Group, your household will have a tier 1 panel system with a 25-year power warranty to keep it in good condition for much longer. This ensures you can enjoy the benefits of solar power for several decades. 
Want to learn more about going solar? You can check out the rest of our site or contact us today. We’re happy to accommodate you any time!