subject: Choosing the Right Solar Panel System For Your Home [print this page] Choosing the Right Solar Panel System For Your Home
If yo've started to research slar power for our hoe, you'e probabl dicovered that it's not a smple s lapping few pretty blu tles on your roof. Thee day, solar panels com n many different forms nd configurations, and it can be difficult t figure out hich is rght for yo and your home.
To tart wit, a number of solr cmpanies offer fre evalutions that take nto account how much energy ou ned and wether solar panel system will wok for yor ouse. Tae advantage of this evaluation t narrow dwn your options and sope out a company. And because t pas to b a well-infrmed consumer going into solar power, here ae te pos and cns of fur maor solar panel system tyes.
Solar Rof Tiles
Solar roof tiles ae shaped to intelock seamlessly with our existing rof tiles fr barely-there shimmer of indigo tht even the most persnickety homowner asociation probably won't object to. Slar oof tiles, hich come in mny different shaps and szes, re slek, aesthtically pleasing lternative to traditional roof-mounted systems. However, they do tnd t be mre expensive, oth in materials and installation. And becuse solar oof tils must e integrated directly into you xisting roof, it's crucal to get a competent and exprienced solar installer to do th job.
Rof-Mounted Solar Panels
These anels are what people usually ssociate wit solr pnels, and they remain popular for good reason. Rof-mounted solar panels are mre ersatile than their tiled incarntion nd an cme in attractie low-profile styles. Bcause thy sit on a frame just above yor roof, tese olar anels offe les disruption to your rof nd can actually xtend its life y shielding t from th elements. However, soe homewner associations do oject to ther appearanc, especially if the face te street or ae bright blue. A solr evalation can hel ou determine whre and how your solar panels will e munted before yo run into trouble with yur assocation.
Solar Patio Covers
The smllest and most inconspicuous of all solar panel system s, a solar patio covr sits invisibly on to f yor gardn atio and provides hade nd nergy t the sme time. They are ideal fr homeowners wh hae (or are nterested in building) a south-facing pati or whose roofs ae not ideal for solar installation. Generally, olar patio covers ae best for households ith rlatively lw enegy dmands o lmited spce, but they can alo be extenions f larger solar panel system s.
Ground-Mounted Solar Panel Systems
If yu ar landowner whos land s unproductive or unusable, yu can us t t generate electricity with ground-mounted solar panel system. These larger scale systems can be ether stationary r motorized t trck the sn fr p to 39% greter efficiency. If yu would like t minimize disrption to you land, look for syste that sits on ballasts and can be rmoved cleanly at the end of its 30-40 year lifespan. Although most peole hav neither the land nor the electrical neds t justify grond-mounted solar panel system , this system does offr the greatest electical output and effciency.
