Cost is not the only factor to consider before installing rooftop solar panels. To be honest, there is a lot of information that most of us may not be aware of before making the decision to go solar. 

Roof Structure

You need to understand the shape of your roof before taking action. Roofs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although, the idea to go solar sounds like a good one, it’s not an option for all roofs. First, there must be enough roof area space for panels to be installed. Secondly, you’re going to want to confide in a solar expert to determine if the solar panels are even an option depending on the angle of your roof.

Weighing Your Options

Research is key. It’s important to know who can set the solar panels up for you, where to get them, etc. Every installer will offer different options. The first installer you call might be more expensive than the second one that you call. The second one might be less expensive than the third one that you call. You get the jest. Weighing your options is okay. There is nothing wrong with making comparisons.

Reputation is also something to be cognizant about. Customer service plays a big role in this industry and can sway someone away from a particular installer. Read reviews, blogs, and other articles from customers that have installed rooftop solar panels. You’ll get a good idea of what to expect and what to look for when solidifying an installer. This will give you the resources you need to make the best, informed decision.

Weight on Your Roof

Certain roofs deal with weight differently. Installing these panels ultimately increases the weight on the surface of your roof. You want to be sure that your roof can withstand this force. Nothing like waking up in the morning to a damaged roof. That would be horrible. The roof can collapse if the weight of the solar panels are too excessive for them to endure. Be sure to have a professional examine your roof to determine if an extra foundation is needed beforehand.

Warranties

Solar panels come with a few warranties that are strongly recommended for you to invest in. You want to be sure to protect your panels in order for them to do their job effectively. The three types of warranties include; inverter, installation and solar panel.

Inverter Warranty

In most cases, this warranty has a period of 5-10 years, but varies from company to company. String inverters and micro-inverters warranties cover defects and manufacturing flaws. You may think a 10 year warranty is excessive, but micro-inverters can have a long life, up to 25-30 years, so it’s safe to say that it’s a good investment to make.

Installation Warranty

Does hearing the word installation make you nervous? A lot of homeowners hear this and automatically think about their bank account. Can’t blame them, for there are extreme cases of being charged a good chunk of change for installation fees and then problems occurring. Fortunately, you can purchase an installation warranty to ensure your solar panels were installed properly. 2-10 years is the average for this type of warranty.

Solar Panel Warranty

A 25 to 30 year warranty sounds like a good deal to have. Industry standards have pushed this to be one of the more common warranties offered for homeowners. It protects against minimum power output over an extended period of time.

Take Care

If you decide to go for it and get solar panels installed, make sure to keep up up the routine maintenance. Solar panels can require great care and you want them to last as long as possible.