SOLAR INSTALLATION
FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES
INSTALLING SOLAR ON YOUR NEW HOME
If you're building a new home or considering building a new home, one of the smartest additions you can make is a rooftop solar system. Not only will you start saving money on your utility bills right away, but it can also help reduce the overall cost of your solar system. By designing your roof specifically for solar, you can often use fewer panels to meet your home’s energy needs. Plus, you’ll save on electrical conduit costs since it’s easier to access and install during the building process. Building a home with solar from the start is a great way to cut costs while ensuring your home is set up for maximum energy efficiency.
Roof Aspects to Consider
Roof Orientation
The ideal roof plane is facing true south. Since we get less sun in the Northeast this allows the panels to get the optimal amount of sun. The closer the direction of the roof is to 180 degrees south the better the solar system will perform.
Steepness
The ideal angle for your roof is between 30 and 45 degrees. This allows the panels to be at the best angle to absorb the power from the sun.
Vents, Chimneys, & Dormers
You want to avoid having any vents, chimneys, or dormers on the roof plane that your solar panels will be on. Any of these elements can cause shading on the panels.
Roof Material
The best roof materials for a solar system are asphalt shingles or metal. This is due to their durability and long lifespan. Slate tiles and cedar shingles are more fragile and can cost more money to install on.
Load Bearing
On average, solar panels add an additional 3 pounds per square foot. During the construction process, you can check with your contractor to make sure that your roof will be able to easily withstand the extra weight.
Shading
While we love beautiful trees in our yards, we prefer for them to be in a spot that won’t cast any shadows on the solar panels. Therefore, it’s best to plant any trees or shrubbery with your solar panels in mind.
Electrical Aspects to Consider
Electrical Conduit
Electrical conduit is usually run on the outside of a home for a solar system. However, if you incorporate where it needs to be run during construction you can have it run on the inside of your home if you prefer. Having your home prepared for this can make it easier on the solar installers and shorten the amount of time the installation will take.
Main Service Panel & Circuit Breakers
During the construction process, you can ensure that your main service panel and circuit breakers will be in an easily accessible location and that they can handle the addition of a solar system.
PV Inverters & Other Equipment
Some of the equipment for your solar system will need to be near the main service panel. You can set aside room near the main service panel for easy access and to install the additional solar equipment such as the inverter.