With the improvement of our environment at the forefront of international discussion now more than ever, many people are looking for ways to go green and live more sustainably. One of the best and most impactful ways to do this is to convert your home to solar power. While interested in making the switch, many people are still uncertain as to whether their homes are right for solar power conversion. Thankfully, the professionals at West Coast Solar are here to help you with all of your home and business solar power related needs.

West Coast Solar has been helping home and business owners across Northern California make the switch over to solar energy. We are committed to being the best solar company in California, providing our clients with the best products and services at a price that is incredibly affordable. Our goal is to not only help you successfully make the switch to solar energy, but to also make the process easy. To learn more about our California solar energy services, contact us today.

In this blog post, we will take a look at some things that will help you determine whether your home is a good candidate for solar panel installation. Let’s get started.

A Stable Roof is Key for Solar Power

When it comes to having solar panels installed in your home, perhaps the most important thing you need is a roof that is stable. How long have you lived in your home, and in the time since you’ve lived there, have you ever had any roof repairs done? Roofs can be tricky in that they could have issues that we simply are unaware of, as they can sometimes only reveal themselves to us once considerable wear and/or damage has occurred. The best thing for you to do is to get a professional roofer to inspect your roof and see if it could require repair, or if it should be replaced entirely.

The reason for this is twofold. For one, solar panels are going to add additional weight onto your roof. While they aren’t excessively heavy, they do have a bit of weight to them, and any added weight on your roof is going to matter, especially if it isn’t structurally sound. A strong and stable roof will be able to handle this additional weight, though one that requires repairs or replacement will likely not be able to withstand it. For this reason, it’s integral that your roof is strong and able to bear the additional weight. Secondly, unlike many other modern technologies, solar panels aren’t designed to be replaced every few years and on average have a lifespan of roughly 20-30 years. With this in mind, if your roof is a few years away from needing replacement, it could be an inconvenience to get solar panels installed, only to have to get your roof replaced a few years later. This could be especially inconvenient if your roof is in desperate need of replacement, as the added weight from the solar panels could not only cause damage to your roof but also to the solar panels themselves. Your best bet is to either wait after your roof has been replaced or repaired, or get your new roof and solar panels installed at once.

Easy Access to Sunlight is Necessary for Solar Power

Some of these things may seem obvious, but it’s often that the obvious finds itself getting overlooked. Obviously, solar panels are powered by the sun and rely completely on it to function. Because of this, it’s very important that your home has easy access to sunlight. This is something that people have a tendency to overlook, but both the positioning of your home and roof play key roles in this. If either of these are facing away from the sun, your solar panels may not be able to function efficiently, which is less than ideal. Additionally, you need to make sure that your roof isn’t being obstructed by taller trees or other shrubberies, as these too can interfere with the amount of sunlight reaching your solar panels. 

Do I Need Solar Panels?

While your desire to convert to solar power is a good thing, some homes may not be the best candidates to convert, most notably ones that spend less than $100 on power consumption per month. Ultimately, your decision is yours only, and if you wish to learn more about whether your home is a good candidate for solar power, contact us.

Those are just a handful of examples as to whether your home may be a good candidate to switch to solar energy. West Coast Solar is committed to providing you with the best solar power services in Northern California and are available to help you with all your solar needs. Contact us today for a free quote!