Many people would think this checklist would start with “where do you live” but believe it or not, most areas get sufficient sun to generate their households electricity needs. However, there are questions that are important to consider.
1. Do you own your home?
You still have options
If you are renting a home or live in an apartment building, your landlord is in charge of power generation. However, read the rest of the checklist and you can still share your thoughts with them!
2. Do you pay more than $200/mo?
This is actually good news
It is quite likely that investing solar installation will help you eliminate this expense from your life and pay itself off in the next 5-7 years. If you’re not sure exactly how to get this information, watch this video to see our founder explaining how to download your bill and to find the areas where you could save with solar.
3. Is your roof shaded?
You may still see the light
It is true that shade, whether it’s from a chimney, tree, building, or architectural feature, will impact the amount of energy your panels produce. However, due to the movement of the sun, it is rare that we encounter a roof that does not get sufficient light.
4. Southern exposure?
Get out the compass
An ideal roof will preferably be facing south to take full advantage of the sunlight throughout the day, so this would need the fewest panels. However, just as shade (#3) is a factor that can be minimized, most roof angles will capture good solar exposure.
5. How old is your roof?
Time for a roof checkup
Once the panels are installed, you don’t want to have to take them off in a few years to replace your roof. The rule of thumb is that if you think the roof will need to be redone within 8 years, it’s best to have that done before putting panels on. Most people choose to install a new roof and solar panels at the same time.
Bonus - How do you consume?
Look around for energy leaks
Many people don’t know where they use the most energy. Before we install a solar power system, we provide a unique power monitoring system in your house that lets you see where you spend the most, so you can find critical energy leaks before you buy a system. (Spoiler: old refrigerators are frequently the culprit!)
Golden Bear Solar Electric
20 S Santa Cruz Ave, Suite #300
Los Gatos, CA 95030
contact@goldenbearsolar.com
(408) 766-9475
We are a different kind of Solar Company. We really care about the environment and the people who live on our planet. Solar is the most abundant and under-appreciated resource we have, and GBS is here to get the word out and provide home and building owners the best possible solar and other healthy, money-saving and environmentally-friendly solutions.
We provide Smart Solar and other home efficiency, safety and health-enhancing solutions. We literally think it’s a crime that the US has not advanced further and faster in green energy adoption. We feel it’s time to improve our living environments and help the world by showing people how to utilize green tech solutions while saving money doing it. We’ve come a long way with solar and other clean energy products, and we’re dedicated to accelerating the use of those solutions.
Golden Bear Solar is a local Solar Contractor licensed by the state of California (Lic# 1042353). We have a passion for bringing Solar and other Smart and Healthy Home technologies to market. Our goal is to provide our clients with the highest quality Smart Solar solutions, allowing them to quickly and cost effectively create a better and more environmentally friendly living environment for their friends and families to enjoy.