Is Solar Worth it for Your House? How to Decide
Solar panels are a good investment for most homes. They lower your electric bills and provide long-term savings while reducing your carbon footprint.
But is solar worth it for your house? The answer depends on many factors, from your roof’s size and orientation to how much you spend on electricity every month.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to consider before deciding whether rooftop solar panels make sense for your house.
What to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels
How Much Electricity You Use
Your electricity usage is key to determining whether your house is good for solar panels. The more power you use, the more you can save by generating it yourself instead of buying it from your electricity supplier.
At Taylor Energy, we look at a full year of your home’s electricity usage as part of your free solar evaluation. This allows us to provide an accurate estimate of your solar savings so you can make an informed decision about whether the savings are worth the investment for you.
We evaluate your electric bills before we even visit your home. That means you get an upfront estimate of your expected savings and solar payback period before committing to anything.
2. Roof Size & Available Space
Once you know how many solar panels you need, you have to make sure you have enough space for them. There are two key factors to consider: roof size and roof design.
Roof Size: Your roof has to be big enough to hold all the solar panels you need. Residential solar panels can vary in size, but most take up about 20 square feet. A typical home requires 20 to 25 panels, which means you will most likely need at least 400 square feet of usable space.
Roof Design: Solar panels can’t be installed on top of obstacles like skylights or vents, and they can’t span roof ridges, either. If your roof has a complex design with multiple small, broken-up sections or several obstacles, it will limit the amount of usable space available.
If you don’t think your house is perfect, don’t worry. Our team designs custom solar solutions to maximize your available space. We can find a solution for most homes. If your roof isn’t a good fit, we can help you consider alternatives like ground-mounted solar panels.
3. Roof Orientation and Tilt
The direction your roof faces affects how much sunlight your panels will receive. In the US, south-facing roofs tend to produce the most solar energy, but east- and west-facing roofs can also be effective, depending on your energy needs. Roof tilt also plays a role. The best roof pitch for solar panels is usually between 15 and 40 degrees.
But don’t get too hung up on details like roof pitch. It’s important, but usually something we can work around. Our team will make the most of the available roof space you do have. We use drones to analyze your roof so we can find the optimal position for your solar panels, maximizing sunlight access and solar output.
4. Shading & Sunlight Access
Solar panels need sunlight to generate electricity. If your roof is heavily shaded by trees or surrounding houses/buildings, you won’t be able to generate as much electricity. But, while good sunlight access is important, solar panels can still generate power without direct sunlight.
As part of your roof evaluation, we will identify shading risks and design a system that minimizes their impact. In some cases, trimming back trees or using microinverters can help maintain strong production even in partially shaded areas.
5. Roof Age & Condition
If your roof is older, it’s worth checking its condition before installing solar panels.
If you install solar panels and need to replace your roof only a few years later, you will have to remove your panels, store them during the roof replacement, and then reinstall them. This can be expensive, and it also puts your panels at risk. They could be damaged during the process and if they’re not reinstalled correctly, your solar output could drop.
We will help assess whether your roof is ready for solar now or if an upgrade is recommended first.
Find Out If Solar Is Worth It For Your Home
Some roofs are better for solar panels than others, but we can make solar panels work for almost any home. The real question is: will they generate enough power to be worth it for you? We’ll crunch the numbers for you, but the decision is ultimately quite personal.
Our goal is to provide all the information you need to make that decision with confidence. We provide a free proposal that includes your installation costs, estimated payback period, and recommended system design, all before visiting your home. You’ll be able to see exactly what solar will look like for your home, ask questions, and take your time making a decision. As a locally owned solar company, we care deeply about our clients and will help you make an informed decision about installing solar panels.
Is your roof good for solar panels? Find out with a free assessment! Call (707) 518-9625 to get started.
Residential Solar
Get a free estimate for residential solar panel installation in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, and surrounding areas. We are a Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer!
Rebates & Incentives
Save on your solar panel and solar battery installation with California solar incentives. Schedule a free solar consultation with Taylor Energy to learn more about the incentives you’re eligible for.
Commercial Solar
Cut operating costs and increase profit margins with commercial solar panels. Schedule your free commercial solar consultation with Taylor Energy today. We can help you find a solar solution that works for your business.
