You’ve decided to make the leap to solar power. It’s a major step towards lowering your energy bills and possibly eliminating your electrical utility costs completely. According to the experts, the solar industry is expected to continue growing at a record pace. What this means for those looking for residential or commercial solar energy solutions is – lower prices.
Deciding to Add Solar as a Home Remodeling Project
When thinking about your home remodeling project, that’s also a good time to consider upgrading your utility systems – especially adding solar to increase your home’s energy efficiency. But, adding solar power (also called, PV systems) are also a stand-alone project which will add substantial value to your home if you decide to sale.
Owning your own solar energy system typically brings a return on your investment within 10-12 years. After you’ve reached that point, every bit of energy your home or business will use – is totally free, courtesy of Mother Nature! Your property will join the proud group of landowners that contribute zero greenhouse gas emissions into the environment, while helping our nation to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuel sources.
Hiring a Licensed Contractor for Solar Installation
After you’ve had your home’s present electrical system evaluated and your roof structure inspected for stability, the next steps include choosing your solar system vendor and installer, completing the proper documentation, and obtaining your installation permits. Before your equipment is even delivered, it is important to know that your installer has an experienced electrician on staff and is a licensed electrical contractor for the final steps in owning your new solar system: installation, approval, and making the interconnection with the power grid.
When you choose a solar installation company, you should expect your PV installation to be completed by certified professionals. Although the specific definitions vary from state to state, an electrical contractor can be an individual or a business owner that employs certified electricians to safely install electrical systems. The contractor should have insurance and appropriate licenses to protect the business, the employees and the clients from liability and unexpected damage.
A general look at the installation process (which could take anywhere from 1 day up to 3 days) will show why it is important to use licensed electricians when installing solar:
While these steps may look straightforward at first glance, there are a number of installation and electrical wiring mistakes that have become common when examining systems that fail or operate below the expect performance level. Under-sized wiring and loose connections are a common cause of electrical fire or poor performance.