After seeing last month’s electricity bill, you’ve decided it’s time to take energy production into your own hands. But a solar power system is a steep investment. Before you take the plunge, you want to make sure that it’s the right choice for your home or business.
You know that clean energy sources, like solar power, are great for our planet. But is solar power right for you? To figure that out, you can start by asking yourself the following questions:
How energy efficient is your property?
The less electricity that your appliances use, the less solar power that you’ll need to produce.
After you’ve calculated the number of kilowatt-hours your household uses in a year, you can estimate how much energy your solar panels will need to produce. Then, you can find out the number of solar panels that you’ll need.
Looking to make the most out of your solar panels? One way to do that is by making your home as energy-efficient as possible. A few ways to conserve energy in your home are to:
- Improve the insulation. Use less energy to heat your home when you seal cracks, install new doors/windows, and add more insulation.
- Purchase energy-efficient appliances. Consider upgrading any outdated appliances to modern models that use less electricity.
- Take advantage of smart technology. Try installing a programmable thermostat, smart lighting, and power bars to reduce energy waste.
Do you have enough roof/ground space for the solar panels?
You’re on the fence about whether to install solar panels on your roof, or the ground. There are a few things to consider when choosing the location of your system.
If your roof is in poor condition, you’ll need to repair it (or replace it altogether) before installing solar panels. Since most PV panels last between 25-30 years, a roof that will need a replacement within 5 years won’t work.
A ground-mounted solar array requires a lot of space. These setups are more common on farms or industrial properties, where energy demands are high and space is plentiful.
However, one advantage of a ground-mounted system is that your solar array isn’t limited by the size of your roof. You can also take advantage of tracking technology, which enables your panels to adjust their position based on the sun’s location for optimal energy production.
Where is your property located?
If you reside in Winnipeg, then you’re in luck; this city sees an average of 2353 hours of sunshine annually. That makes it a prime location for producing solar power, despite its long winters. That being said, various conditions at your property can make your PV system more or less optimal.
The ideal location for a roof-mounted solar array is a south-facing roof. If you can only place panels on the north-facing side of your roof, you can expect slightly less energy production.
Too much shade will block your panels from receiving the sun’s rays. If your home is shaded by surrounding trees or tall buildings, that will also reduce the efficiency of your panels.
When you’re evaluating the solar potential of your property, there are a lot of factors to consider—too many to cover in this blog post! Are you looking for Winnipeg solar panels? Contact Powertec Solar today, and we’ll provide you with a free solar feasibility analysis.
