What will it cost to “go solar”? It’s impossible to answer that question simply with a dollar amount because every home and business has different roof characteristics and electricity needs, which must be evaluated before a dollar amount can be estimated. Here are some of the variables …
1) Roof characteristics – the best exposure to the sun on your roof is a southern one from sunrise to sunset. Solar panels exposed to the sun from a southern direction will create the most solar energy due to the strength of the sun’s rays on the panels. Sunshine coming onto your roof from other directions will create solar energy but you may need to purchase more solar panels to match your average daily electric usage. This will increase the cost of the solar system. An average of 4-5 hours of sunlight on your
roof is usually considered necessary to make going solar worthwhile. Your roof may have southern exposure but have much shade from trees. Solar panels can work in the shade and in cloudy weather but will generate less electric current. Also, your roof may contain skylights and/or solar tubes that will make the placement of solar panels less than optional. All these factors and more need to be considered when estimating a solar system cost for your home or business.
2) Your electricity needs – calculated from information from your electric company and is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Your solar system size can be calculated from the average cost of your monthly electric bills, but it is less accurate. System size should be calculated with the most accurate data possible to match your electricity usage and get you the most accurate price for what you need. Simply put, if you are in a large house with many people using electricity, your energy demand will be higher and you will
need a larger solar energy system that will cost you more.
