Home Solar Panel and System Basics

Southern exposure is the key to almost all commercial and home solar power system applications, whether they be the generation of electrical energy or hot water heating. A home or commercial buildings with significant southern exposure and little or no shade from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. has excellent potential for solar power system applications. Solar panel can be placed on both flat and slanted roofs and can be placed at specific angles to maximize the capture of solar energy. Consideration should be given to the expected life span of the roof shingles due to the fact that most solar panels systems are warranted for 25 years, and removing the solar equipment then reinstalling it to replace the roof shingles presents additional cost considerations.

Solar water heating when compared to electric water heating is currently the most cost effective utilization of solar power under current tax codes at current low electrical cost. In many cases the payback time for commercial and or home solar panel energy systems can be less than three years.

Homes with dark roofs without any active methods of ventilation can achieve significant reductions in energy cost during the summer months by utilizing a solar powered attic fan.