subject: Is Solar Electricity Right For Your Home? [print this page] By now many people will be aware of the rising cost of utilities such as gas and electricity, electricity in particular is a key issue for the government and green parties up and down the country as we are often told that we are using too much electricity and should look for ways to cut down our usage. Wind turbines and wave generators are now common sights across the country as we look to find alternative energy sources and solar power is one that we often hear mentioned.
The trouble is here in Britain Solar power isnt always used as we may think we dont get nearly enough sun to make them effective. Nevertheless there are many homes now that have solar panels built into their roofs and can at least generate some electricity that can help reduce their reliance on fossil fuel based electricity that we get from the utility companies.
Many DIY stores now stock solar panels but as with many home improvements especially those involving your roof you should hire a professional to fit any solar panels to your home. Knowing whether buying a solar panel is worthwhile is important and there are a few questions you can ask yourself to make sure that a solar panel is right for you.
First of all you need to ensure that the position you are going to place your solar panel will be facing at least 90 of south, it should have clear access to the sun too. If your solar panel is going to be cast in the shadow of a tree or nearby buildings during the course of the day then they are not going to collect as much energy.
Once you have found the perfect spot before you purchase a solar panel youll want to check if you are allowed to add a solar panel to your home. This is done by gaining council planning permission, some councils may set restrictions such as only having solar panels on rear parts of your home or not permit you to make an addition at all, if you want to avoid a wasted effort and being told to take your solar panel down then it is worthwhile asking your local council for permission first.
It is worth your time to enquire with a builder or architect to check if your roof is strong enough to hold a solar panel too. The construction of your roof is a delicate balance and solar panels are by no means light as a feather. Checking that your roof will withstand the added weight and whether any structural support is needed will save your home from potential collapse, literally.
