8 Things to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar Panels

Across Australia, more and more people are starting to invest in solar energy systems. Solar energy is one of the most promising and cost-effective renewable energy generating systems. It provides you with peace of mind and protection for the future and can save you lots of money in the long run.

If you’re thinking of buying solar panels for your home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The truth is, there are many things to consider when buying solar panels.

To help you decide if solar power is the right option for you, your home, or your business, we've put together a list of the top 8 things to consider before installing these solar panels on your roof.

8 Things to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar Panels

1. Does your roof need repairs?

Before you even consider installing solar panels, ask yourself how old is my roof. If you know that you will need a new roof soon or that part of your roof is damaged, installing solar panels is probably not the best idea. If you can, make repairs to the roof before installation. This way, you won't have to pay more to disassemble the artwork and then reassemble it (in some cases for at least 20 years).

Another aspect to consider is the warranty on your roof versus the warranty on the solar panels. If you have solar panels that will last 20 years and a roof that will only last 10-15 years, you increase maintenance costs. Try to match the two projects in terms of duration to reduce the amount of effort, time, and money you will need to invest.

2. What is the shape of your roof?

Roofs come in different shapes and sizes. Before proceeding with any installation, make sure your roof has enough space for the solar panels. If there isn't enough space, you probably won't get the return you expect on your investment.

3. In what direction are the slopes of your roof facing?

Solar panels require a specific location to generate the maximum amount of energy. Most professionals say that the best location is to have the panels facing south, while others say that it is west. Either way, it is important to determine this information before beginning the installation.

4. How much weight can your roof support?

Installing solar panels will add weight to your roof structure. If the weight of these solar panels is too much for your roof, it may collapse. This is very dangerous for many reasons, not to mention cost. To avoid both situations, your roof must be professionally evaluated to determine if additional support is required to complete the installation.

5. Where will the water go?

When it rains, the water runs along the roof, into gutters, and outside your home. By installing solar power systems, equipment such as shelving and wiring harnesses can prevent water from flowing and draining properly. In some cases, solar equipment can move water in a different direction, which can create leaks and other problems. These issues will need to be fixed, which means the solar panels will need to be removed.

To avoid all of these problems, be sure to tell your contractor about these concerns. They can present you with a plan to demonstrate that the facility will have no impact on water runoff.

6. What about the other surprises of nature?

Part of maintaining your solar power system is dealing with extreme weather conditions like thunderstorms, hurricanes, hail, etc. Some solar equipment may be damaged during these events. While some insurances cover these types of events, this is something to consider, especially if you live in an area where this type of weather occurs frequently.

7. Did you choose the cheapest options?

Cheaper solar panels rarely translate into better solar panels. While the price of the technology has fallen dramatically over the past decade, investing in the cheapest solar panel models or brands may leave you in the dark. Cheaper or lower-end solar panels are often manufactured in a way that makes them less durable. When solar panels are less durable, it decreases the value of your investment, as well as possible future savings. The scary part is that these poor signals can sometimes be dangerous, creating safety risks. The last thing you want is for a fire to start in your home due to poor-quality solar panels.

8. What about warranties?

The Warranties on solar panels are an important aspect of protecting your solar panels and other related equipment. If something happens to your solar panels, having a warranty helps you hold the manufacturer accountable, at no additional cost to you. There are also many incentive programs (available in many different states in Australia) that require you to have a warranty on your solar power equipment.

Read More: Avoid these 7 Solar Panel Installation Mistakes

10 Important Things to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar Panels

Every serious purchase in your life requires careful consideration and advance planning. Installing solar panels on the roof is no exception. Since it is a large investment and requires the precise calculation of certain factors before choosing the solar panels that best suit your needs.

Today, millions of people choose solar panels as an excellent option for sustainable green energy. Solar panels not only help offset energy costs, but they are also a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy.

More and more people are equipping their roofs with solar panels, and why not? One report suggests that more than two million homes in Australia have rooftop solar panels, with a combined capacity of more than 10 GW. Therefore, solar energy is an easier way to contribute to a sustainable future.

A well-planned installing rooftop solar panels can turn your investment into a smarter one. However, understanding the relevant factors before installing solar panels will help you avoid solar installation mistakes and unpleasant surprises.

10 Important Things to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar Panels

Therefore, we have compiled some of the essential things that you need to consider before installing solar panels on the roof.

Choosing the right solar panels

Much depends on the type of solar panel you choose to install for your roof. Unless you have first-hand information about solar panels, it can be difficult to make the right decision.

Also, it is always better to buy solar panels in NSW from a reputable company as they will last for decades. Besides, it can also save you a lot on electricity costs. In general, there are three basic types of solar panels:

Monocrystalline panels

These panels are good at converting sunlight into electricity. They are efficient and take up less space on your roof.

Polycrystalline panels

These panels generate lower thermal resistance compared to monocrystalline panels. However, these panels take up more space on the ceiling.

Thin-film panels

These panels are often made by depositing a semiconductor material on a ceramic substance. Although the cost is low, they need more roof space.

You can filter all the options and choose the one that best suits your budget and your rooftop needs.

Consider your roof type

Millions of houses have roofs that get a lot of sunlight during the day. Therefore, the demand for rooftop solar systems has increased dramatically in recent years. Installing a solar panel system can become one of the smartest investments of your life.

However, before installing solar panels, the first step is to determine if your roof is ready for solar panel installation. There are a few things to consider before choosing to install solar panels on your roof.

The shape of the roof

The roof is built in different shapes and sizes. Before proceeding with the solar panel installation, make sure your roof has enough space for the solar panel. However, if there is not enough space, you may not get the return you expect on your investment.

Roof condition

Before buying a solar panel, the roof should be inspected. Solar panels can add extra weight to your roof. Therefore, your roof must be strong enough to adequately support the weight of your solar panel.

The weight that a roof can support

A typical solar panel can weigh approximately 1 to 2 kg per square foot with the mounting frame. This limit is generally within acceptable roof load limits.

Roof warranty

If your solar panels are going to last 20 years but your roof will only last 10-15 years, your maintenance costs may increase.

Correct positioning of solar panels

The positioning of a solar panel is an essential factor to consider before installing it on your roof. A solar panel uses most of the energy when the sun's ray hits its surface perpendicularly. Therefore, the proper direction and angle of inclination can ensure that the solar panel produces the maximum power.

Read More: 10 Important Things to Consider Before Installing Rooftop Solar Panels

Top 10 Reasons Why Home Solar Really Pays off

When you first think about switching to solar energy, it is normal to ask yourself: "Is the solar panel system really profitable?" Well, solar panel systems are a great way to offset your energy costs and contribute to energy independence that comes with many benefits.

In fact, Australia has the best conditions to produce abundant solar energy. A public survey conducted by the Institute of Australia shows that solar energy is the most popular energy option of the future, with 63% of people ranking it as their preferred energy option.

This trend will continue to increase in the near future due to the many benefits that solar panels offer.

We are going to go into detail on how solar panels can really be profitable for your home in order to get the Best Solar Plans NSW.

Top 10 reasons why home solar really pays off

Get a more predictable energy bill

Do you have the impression that your electricity bill is increasing every year? Every year, the trend of electricity increases by almost 16%. Using solar panels for your homes can reduce your electricity bill by up to 50% per month.

Its solar energy system is efficient at producing electricity during daylight hours and returning excess energy to the grid. After that, an energy supplier will credit you for exporting electricity, and this credit will help offset your electricity bills.

Additionally, solar power companies offer solar packages that offer lower rates than what you are currently paying. So switching to solar power is never a bad idea.

Get electricity credit through net metering

Net metering is a great way to save money!

The net metering system gives you credit for putting solar energy back on the grid and offsets the electricity you take from utilities in the future. It helps you get the full economic value of all the solar energy you produce.

When you're using more electricity than solar panels produce at night or on a cloudy day, you can easily disconnect electricity from the grid to power your meters. In the end, your electricity supplier pays you net for what you put on the grid. This way you can get an electricity credit.

Help improve the grid security

Switching to solar panels means fewer blackouts or brownouts. Every home in Australia, equipped with solar panels, works as a small power plant to provide us with greater security of the electricity grid.

Why choose Aus-Brite Solar?

Aus-Brite Solar is the best platform to get the best solar deals in NSW. We are working on the vision of making solar systems available to every home in Australia.

Read More: Top 10 reasons why home solar really pays off

How Long is the Wait Between Solar Booking and Solar Installation?

Solar panels are a superb way to collaborate with nature. On the worldwide map, Australia has higher uptake of solar. A study showed that over 2.68 million rooftop solar systems had been installed in Australia.

However, going solar isn't as easy as buying clothes. First, you investigate, compare, and ask various questions, then you opt to book a panel. If you think about installing rooftop solar panels, the primary question is, how long does it fancy install a solar panel?

You can’t have a solar array installed on your roof the minute you book it. There is often an extended period between booking a solar array and its installation. The time can take between weeks to many months.

In that case, it is often quite frustrating to attend to the installation of your solar array systems. However, it's said that good things take time. therefore the results would be worth your wait.

How long is the wait between solar booking and solar installation?

You have to undergo certain steps after you opt to take a position in solar panels. Each stage will take its own time, counting on the state of conditions you'll face. As a result, the solar installation time can vary from panel to panel.

Read on to understand the method involved in solar array installation and therefore the period involved in each step:

Finding a solar installer

The first concrete step involved in installing a solar array is selecting a solar installer. you ought to not rush on this step. If you select an inexperienced company, you'll regret your decision later. Further, it'll increase your installation time.

General visit [ one to 2 weeks]

When you narrow down your solar installation choices, you'll request a general visit. A representative will come and evaluate your home energy needs. they appear for google maps, check the directions of your roof and therefore the shading on your property to raised coordinate where your residential solar panels are placed.

This whole process approximately takes between one to 2 weeks. However, at this stage, the corporate and customers agree on a price and begin the work.

Pulling permits [ one week to a month]

Before installing solar panels, your solar company, your solar company will get to file a permit together with your government. The permit may vary counting on your location and therefore the quiet solar array you're installing. This process can anywhere take between one week to a month.

Ordering your solar equipment [ at some point to many weeks]

As long as your permits are approved, your solar installer will give the green light to order the equipment. Your installation company may have already got this equipment available, but if not, your project manager will get to work with the company’s shipping department to order the equipment.

If your solar panels and other equipment are coming from overseas, you want to wait several weeks. this will further delay your installation process.

Why choose Aus-Brite Solar?

Aus-Brite solar caters to the solar power needs of all Australian households. we provide clean energy solutions to support your energy needs. you'll get the best solar deals in Sydney from our solar providers.

Read More: How long is the wait between solar booking and solar installation?

Top Questions We’re Asked About Solar

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to solar power. Some people love the idea because it’s good for the environment, but aren’t quite sure how much electricity they will actually be able to get from a solar energy system. Others have a lot of questions about solar power, while others still think that solar power is simply something that they don’t need. Essentially, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about solar power out there. In this article, we’ll do our best to answer some of the top questions we get at Aus-Brite Solar so you know exactly how solar works and what benefits you can expect from having a home solar energy system.

Top Questions We’re Asked About Solar

Do I need planning approval to install solar panels?

Generally speaking, planning approval is not required to install solar photovoltaic systems, however, there are some exceptions, such as if your property is included on the heritage list. If you live in a community that is governed by a tiering agreement, you will need to obtain approval from a legal entity. For most standard residences, it is not necessary to obtain approval to install a solar photovoltaic system. 

Has the System been installed by a qualified electrician?

Yes, all of our experienced solar installers are composed of qualified licensed electricians and have obtained system design and installation certification from the Australian Clean Energy Council. Aus-Brite Solar is known as Best Solar Power Installers Sydney.

How long does it take to install?

Based on standard installation, the installation of a 3kW solar system may take 1 day, and the installation of a 5kW solar system may take 1 to 2 days. Larger systems containing batteries and installation may take 25 days. Your energy consultant will advise you on how long the installation will take based on your specifications and your home.

Does installing a solar photovoltaic system mean that I will no longer receive electricity bills?

Unfortunately, no. Even after installing a solar photovoltaic system, you will still receive a bill or statement from an energy distributor. This is because although your new solar panels will help offset some (if not all) of the electricity you normally get from the grid during the day, you still have to pay for energy usage at night as well as service fees. Your electricity dealer. However, if the value of electricity you generate and sell to the grid during the billing period exceeds the value of electricity obtained from the grid, you may receive a credit balance on your bill.

Can I upgrade the system if my energy need increase?

Yes, if your energy needs increase, you can upgrade your system. In existing systems with larger inverters, additional panels can be added. If you need a larger system that is not compatible with the existing inverter, you can install an additional inverter alongside the existing inverter. Your energy advisor can advise you on how much Western Power limits your solar system.

How will my new solar system benefit the environment?

Investing in solar energy systems can be a good way to help the environment!

The production of energy through solar photovoltaic systems reduces the need to burn carbon-emission fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, helping to reduce your home’s carbon footprint. So, it is the right time to get solar as we are offering the best solar deals Sydney at Aus-Brite Solar

If you have any other questions about our energy experts, please feel free to call 1300 027 483 or contact us immediately.