Solar Installers

3. Will I need direct sunlight all the time?

No. Your solar panel should be able to produce electricity as long as there is daylight.

The photons in natural daylight will be the one converted into electricity, with heat from direct sunlight having no impact on energy production.

Drop us a message and one of our experts will explain all you need to know about harvesting solar energy.

4. Not all roofs are designed for solar installers

Old roofing systems might not allow adding solar panels, with two main contributing factors:

A. The material used will not withstand the extra weight

B. The angle of the roof is too sharp for a proper installation

In this case, there’s only one solution for this type of home improvement: getting a new roof before your solar panel installation.

5. Mount your panels facing south

If not, south-west or west are the next top picks for maximizing home solar energy.

The angle of the roof is not set in stone, and can be anywhere between 10 – 60° pitch.

6. Home Solar panels require little maintenance

If properly installed, they should last for as long as their warranty (which is usually around 25 years) or even longer.

Yet, it is best to check with your insurer before installation that unexpected damages due to unforeseen weather conditions are covered throughout the warranty.

7. Make the most of your solar installers at the right time

To maximize energy saving, try to set your appliances to run while it’s still light outside.

This advice is particularly useful during winter months, when there’s less sunlight, and thus you’d rely more often on the main energy grid.

8. Make sure your meters are up-to-date

Some analogue meters might start running backwards if unused energy is put back into the grid.

It’s not an energy saving practice, and it will only create issues with the main energy grid in the long run.

The easy fix is to get your meters changed with newer ones that have backstop built which prevent the meter going the wrong way.

9. How much energy will be produced?

To estimate how much home solar energy you can produce, you need to consider the following factors: the amount of sunshine and the time of the year.

For instance, if you live in California you’ll be able to produce a lot more energy than Wisconsin. The same applies to time of year, where days are shorter in the winter, offering less potential sunlight.

The rest is simple math, with the solar system capacity and the number of panels as constituting factors.

10. How many solar panels do you need?

If your household consumes around 11,000 kWh (the national average), then you will need about 28 to 34 panels of 250 watt (with most solar panels being between 230 and 275 watts).

Yet, it all depends on the usable size of roof to accommodate the needed number of panels, with a standard panel being about 17.5 square feet.

Nonetheless, there’s no need to worry about running low on electricity, since you’d still be connected to the main grid and you can use that if needed.

Installing your panels is not a DIY Job!

You will need to find a reliable installer able to install them correctly and safely.

The solar panels need to be attached to the roof through roof anchors that hold the frame so it won’t damage the roof underneath. Furthermore, the wiring will require a certified team with the electrician setting up the inverter in your house.

A company such as SOD Group will make sure that the chosen solar installers are the right fit for your home and needs, as well as offering a speedy, carefree installation.

Going green is not only a great home improvement meant for energy saving purposes; it can also be a great investment that will increase the overall value of your property.