Technically speaking, anyone can set up a solar power system and harness the sun’s energy to generate electricity for their home. All you need are solar panels, a solar panel inverter and a battery. The sun’s energy is limitless and generating electricity from it produces no pollution. Hence, it is considered clean energy. Since you generate your own electricity, it also frees you from a connection with the main electricity grid and thus reduces your monthly outgoing expenses. But, if you were to look at the situation practically, not everyone needs to put up their own solar power system. So how do you choose – here are a few questions to ask yourself.
Are You Going to Stay in The Same House for at Least 10 Years?
The solar panel cost is one of the biggest factors to be considered when setting up a solar power system. Though the cost is considerable, it will pay for itself in the long run by minimizing electricity bills. That said, it’s not just the cost of the panels but also the cost of installation to be considered. These panels cannot be easily moved from one place to another. So, you need to be sure that you will not be moving from your house any time soon. Ideally, you should set up a solar power system only if you know you’ll live in the house for at least 10 years.
What is Your Average Monthly Electricity Bill?
One of the most common reasons people choose to sue solar power is because it minimizes electricity bills. If you get high bills every month, this can be a significant amount of savings. But, what if you already get just a minimal bill. People living alone or couples living on their own may already have low electricity bills. In such cases, investing in a solar panel inverter isn’t really going to lead to savings. Sure, you won’t get a bill every month but it’ll take much longer to recover the initial cost of materials and installation.
Do You Have Space to Install the Solar Panels?
For solar panels to work efficiently, they should be installed in a place where they get unobstructed sunlight for a large part of the day. These panels can be installed on the roof top or on the ground but trees, billboards or neighboring buildings, should not shade them. So, you need to check the availability of such a space. You should also speak to an expert about whether the area you live in gets sufficient sunlight in the monsoons and winters.
If you know you’re going to be living in the same place for the foreseeable future, get moderate to high electricity bills and have space available to install the solar panels, this is the ideal choice for you. If you’re not sure of how much power the a solar panel inverter will be able to generate in the winter, consider setting up a grid-connected system. This way, you get a reliable, steady supply of electricity throughout the year.