Making Informed Decisions About Solar Panels: Some Considerations
The idea of solar panels can be an attractive one. Being able to harness the sun's energy to power the items inside your house can end up saving you a lot of money over time. However, you'll need some information before making the final choice to go through with the installation process. The following considerations can allow you to make informed decisions about these panels.
Roof Material
It is vital that you assess the integrity of your roof before you move forward with solar panels. A roof with leaks, mold, missing shingles, or other problems will have to be repaired or replaced before you can consider mounting panels on it. If your roof has not been replaced for many years, you might also want to seek out the advice of a roofing contractor about whether it can handle solar panels. If your roof cannot handle panels, you still have other options, such as having your panels mounted on the ground or reinforcing your roof.
Leasing
If you would really like to get solar panels but are intimidated by the costs, it might interest you to know that leasing your panels is something you can do. Just be aware that there will be interest fees and additional costs attached to your periodic payments; you might discover that buying the panels outright, in the long run, will cost less.
Tax Issues
One of the reasons you might have interest in solar panels is that you've heard about the many tax incentives that are offered by your state or the federal government. These incentives can greatly offset the financial cost of panel installation for many people, but you might want to have a discussion with your tax professional to figure out if those incentives will affect your personal tax situation. Knowing beforehand can prevent you from being surprised just in case those tax incentives won't apply to you in the upcoming tax season.
Permits
Many municipalities ask that citizens seek the appropriate permits before putting solar panels on their property. There could be zoning regulations that dictate whether the panels can be ground-mounted, for instance. There could be guidelines about how much of your roof can be covered with panels. Avoiding the right permits can have legal and financial ramifications, so call the zoning office before you discuss solar panels with contractors.
Being aware of the considerations above can give you a better idea of what to expect if you choose to put up solar panels on your property. Contact a number of solar panel vendors in the area to talk more about the process and how these panels will benefit you over time. Speak with a company like Solar Energy Services to get started.
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