Going solar has a multitude of benefits. If you’re reading this, you might already know how much it contributes to the environment. Installing solar panels on the roof did not have much aesthetics to it until a few years ago. But that’s not the case anymore. There’s something very pleasant and appealing in installing solar panels on the roof. It gives your house a sense of modernism, independence and it shows how environment-friendly is your house. To get the thrilling experience of your electricity bills decreasing, you should install solar after carefully analysing the pitfalls made by other owners before you. With everything done smartly, you might also see your energy meter go reverse as you could also sell your excess energy. Below given are a few tips you could watch out for to get things right when it comes to going solar.
Tip 1: Reduce energy consumption before you go solar
It would be a wiser decision to reduce the energy usage in your house before installing solar. This is a great way to identify your energy losses and address them. Smart decisions on purchasing and a few behavioural modifications can save a minimum of 30% or more on your electricity bills. This will make a huge difference when it comes to your purchase of solar panels. Based on your level of energy savings, you could even reach to the extent of nullifying your electricity bills.
Tip 2: Cheaper doesn’t always mean bad
It’s a common human mentality that if we find a deal that’s too good to be true, we suspect there’s something wrong about it. But this might not always be the case. Solar panels are now cheaper than ever. They are cheaper for a reason. There are two ways to look at this. Either the deal might be misleading, or the post-installation services might not be as great as you wish they were. The latter could be a compromise on the warranty as well. People often have troubles in the later stages, often when they opt for cheaper solar panels. The best way to make sure the cheaper ones are good solar panels is to look for certifications. NO company would take the risk of faking certifications. So if you have a great deal that seems like it’s too good to be true, check for certifications, warranty, service, etc. If everything looks fine to you, go for it!
Tip 3: Know your load before you buy
The commonly seen practice in India is that homeowners, when they plan to go solar, they look at their last few months’ of electricity bill and buy solar that matches those kilowatts. The problem with this is that this is not a long enough time frame to take this decision. If you take a closer look at your energy consumption for the last five years, you could see that your energy consumption varies widely based on the seasons. You might also notice a steady increase in your energy bills every year. Solar panels tend to lose its efficiency with time, because of which you might end up making a lot of changes in your solar setup. If you wish to be a solar owner who doesn’t underestimate consumption and overestimate production, know your energy load properly. This will not only help you choose the right solar setup but also make your life easier for years after the installation.
Tip 4: Insurance saves everything
Going solar involves a significant investment. When such investment decisions are taken, having insurance is handy. Undoubtedly, solar panels have great durability. But this doesn’t mean that things cannot go wrong. If you do not wish to get unpleasantly surprised after making the switch to solar, make sure to insure your solar system. You need to ensure before installation that the elements involved are permitted and approved by the insurance company.
Follow these tips to make sure your decision to ‘go solar’ was the best one you ever made. As solar energy setup is a bit higher on the economical aspect, it’s better not to make silly and easily avoidable mistakes that could have a reverse effect after shifting to solar. So be smart, know what you’re doing and do your research. Once everything is in place, you’ll know for yourself that you’re good to go.