Are you thinking about upgrading your home to solar in 2021? Doing so can be a great way to bring your home into the future with lower utility costs and greater energy savings. Of course, you’ll probably have some questions about solar panel installation. After all, this is a major investment for your home. Continue reading for a look at some answers to the most common questions our solar system installers hear most from our clients.
Where can solar panels be installed?
You’ll usually see residential solar panels installed on roofs. In fact, some homeowners enjoy advertising their green home additions with a clear view of their rooftop panels. However, some homes may offer alternative installation opportunities. For example, you may be able to plan your solar panel installation on the ground or as part of a new patio or carport cover.
No matter where your solar panel installation takes place on your property, our solar installation contractor will need to take several steps to ensure that the panels have an appropriate space to operate. If the panels are going on your roof, you’ll need a roof inspection to determine if the structure is sound enough to support the added weight of a residential solar energy system.
Along with structural stability, our solar installer will assess the layout of your property to determine where the sunlight is strongest throughout the day. This insight will inform our technicians where to orient your new solar panels so that they offer an optimal performance. Fortunately, Tucson residences receive plentiful sunlight throughout the year.
How long will installation take?
Homeowners sometimes worry that solar panel installation will take several weeks of construction. However, the installation timeline is closer to about 1-3 days, depending on the property layout and the number of panels installed. In addition, ground mounted solar systems may take longer to complete due to the excavation and trenching required to wire the panels.
How do I receive discounts on solar panel installation?
For some homeowners, installing solar panels is motivated by financial benefits—and with good reason! You may receive a federal tax credit for solar panel installation thanks to the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The solar ITC allows you to deduct up to 26% of the total system cost from your federal income taxes. In addition, Arizona offers a state tax benefit in the form of the Residential Arizona Solar Tax Credit. This can provide a reimbursement of up to $1000 of your system costs in the form of a personal state income tax credit.
Arizona also offers perks with no sales tax on solar equipment purchases. Furthermore, the Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption prevents you from paying any additional property taxes on the value you are adding to your home by investing in solar panels.
How much energy can I expect my residential solar system to generate?
One of the best things about modern solar technology is that it’s adaptable to different needs. From large commercial buildings to tiny houses, any property may be powered by solar. However, you may not even need to make a full commitment to solar power to enjoy the benefits in your home. For example, you might install a solar powered AC while leaving your home on the grid to cover your other energy needs.
If you do want your solar panel installation to generate enough energy to power your entire home, you will need to install the right number of solar panels to fulfill your needs. There’s no magic number for every residence.
Some important factors to consider are current energy usage, the size of your home, and typical energy usage fluctuations (such as using the air conditioning unit in the summer vs. the furnace in the winter). The type of solar panels you install will also make a difference. You can count on our technicians to design a system that fits your home’s needs and continues to perform for years to come.
Are there HOA restrictions for solar panels?
If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, you may be worried that you cannot install solar panels due to HOA guidelines. However, Arizona law dictates that homeowners’ associations cannot prohibit solar panels outright or create a prohibitive process of approving installation. In other words, you’re free to install solar panels on any property you own in Arizona.
Do you guarantee / warranty your solar installation work?
Along with equipment warranties from solar manufacturers, we provide a workmanship guarantee that you can count on. We know that the last thing you want to deal with after investing in your home is new repairs or problems related to your solar panels. So, we’ll do everything we can to make sure the installation is performed accurately and with no surprises. If something isn’t right, we won’t rest until the issue is resolved.
Intelligent Design is your local resource for solar, HVAC, and plumbing. We serve Tucson and the surrounding areas, and we offer free solar estimates! Call us today at (520) 333-2665 to schedule your contact-free solar consultation!
