More home and business owners than ever before are installing solar energy systems in Scottsdale, AZ. With the amount of sunshine Arizona gets in a given year, it should come as no surprise that the state is one of the national leaders in solar energy.
So, are you considering installing solar panels on your rooftop? If so, here are just a few of the primary considerations you’ll want to think about before you move ahead with the investment:
- Have you made your home as efficient as possible? While adding solar panels can help increase your energy efficiency, it can only do so much if you have a home that has leaking air ducts, bad insulation, old windows and other features that make it extremely inefficient. These are the kinds of issues you should fix before you decide to invest in solar power, as they’ll then give you the ability to compound the benefits of your energy efficiency.
- What shape is the roof in? If your roof is already nearing the end of its useful life, it would make sense to replace the roof before installing the solar panels. Keep in mind that it can cost a couple thousand dollars to remove solar panels to put on a new roof, so it makes more sense to make sure your roof is in good condition—and will be for years to come—before you decide to move ahead with your solar panel installation.
- Are you in an HOA? There are some HOAs that have rules about solar installations if they are going to be highly visible. They cannot prevent homeowners from installing panels altogether, but there may be some rules you have to consider as far as placement is concerned.
- Do you have trees on your property? Solar panels require exposure to direct sunlight to be able to function properly. If your home is heavily shaded by trees, you’re going to have a hard time getting the direct sunlight you need for the panels to function appropriately. Therefore, it’s up to you to determine whether the aesthetic value and cooling properties of the trees are more or less important than the financial benefits you’d get from solar panels.
- Do you plan on selling your home anytime soon? If you are considering selling your home in the near future, solar panels could be a factor in your selling price. If you own the solar panels (rather than leasing them), they could add some value to your sale based on the amount of money they’re expected to save new owners on utilities.
- Are there are additional savings opportunities? Keep in mind that people who purchase solar power equipment and use it at their property can benefit from some federal tax credits. These credits can be applied to personal income taxes to reduce your amount of owed taxes or increase your tax return.
For more information about solar power, contact the experts at Aneva Solar about installing solar energy systems in Scottsdale, AZ. We look forward to telling you more!