When you plan to installation solar panels to power your home, there are many steps to follow. After selecting the option that best suits your use of solar energy, follow the steps that apply to you later. Your solar installation and local utility companies can provide more information, and you will need to take specific steps to use solar energy to power your home.

Investigate your home's energy efficiency

Assess your solar potential and any limitations

Evaluate options for using solar energy

Estimate your solar power demand

Obtain bids and site evaluations from contractors

Understand existing financing and incentives

Installation solar panelsusing the installer and utilities

1. Investigate your energy efficiency

Before starting to use solar energy to power your home, homeowners should investigate their energy use and consider potential efficiency upgrades. The owner should fully understand their total power consumption, and consider low-cost and easy to implement efficiency measures before choosing solar energy.

2. Evaluate your solar potential

Before deciding on the best way to use solar power at home, first evaluate the potential solar energy that can be produced in the place you live. Since photovoltaic technology uses direct and scattered sunlight to generate electricity, solar energy resources around the United States are sufficient for domestic solar power systems.

3. Evaluate your choice of solar energy

If you want to use solar energy, buying and installing a system that you fully own and maintain is no longer the only option. Even if you rent a house or don't want to buy a roof system, there are many projects that can benefit you from solar power generation.

4. Estimate your solar power demand

To help your contractor advise on the type and size of your system, please collect information about your home and power usage.

5. Obtain bidding and on-site evaluation from solar installation company

When studying installers, be sure to find qualified and insured professionals and obtain appropriate certification - the solar industry standard certification comes from the North American Certified energy Practitioners Committee. You can also ask friends and family members who have recently used solar energy for reference, or check online review resources. Before you make any commitments, please ask for proof of license before using the installer.

6. Understand existing financing and incentives

By 2019, small solar systems can enjoy a 30% federal tax credit. The tax credit will be reduced to 26% in 2020, then 22% in 2021, and expire on December 31, 2021.

If you choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement, remember that you will not be eligible for this tax benefit because you will not own a solar system.

7. Use your installer and utilities

If you decide to installation solar panels, your installer should be able to help you complete the necessary permissions and steps.