Doubleday Insurance Agency Blog
Is your home suitable for solar power?
2/9/2012 11:07:50 AM
Are you considering a solar installation to generate power for your home? A homeowner who is thinking of investing in home electricity generating facilities should consider a few practical matters including the suitability of the roof and how the installation of a solar system affects Iowa home insurance.
There are a number of factors that influence how suitable your home is for an efficient, cost-effective PV system to be installed:
• The roof should be un-shaded and face sunlight for a good portion of the day. Ideally, the roof should face south. Solar panels are sometimes installed on west-facing roofs, although an installation that faces west is less efficient and cost-effective than one facing south.
• The angle of your roof is an important consideration. A roof at an angle between 10 degrees and 45 degrees is best for solar panels. Solar installations on flat roofs require brackets to support the panels and present them at the most suitable angle.
• The roof must be structurally sound to support the weight of solar panels. Large solar installations can be quite heavy, so have your roof assessed by an expert to check that it is strong enough to support a solar power system.
Solar panels should be installed to maximize input of sunlight and output of energy. If it’s impractical to install solar panels on your roof because it is shaded by trees or neighboring buildings, you might consider setting up a solar installation in your yard. Talk to your agent to check how your Iowa home insurance is likely to be affected by a solar installation!
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There are a number of factors that influence how suitable your home is for an efficient, cost-effective PV system to be installed:
• The roof should be un-shaded and face sunlight for a good portion of the day. Ideally, the roof should face south. Solar panels are sometimes installed on west-facing roofs, although an installation that faces west is less efficient and cost-effective than one facing south.
• The angle of your roof is an important consideration. A roof at an angle between 10 degrees and 45 degrees is best for solar panels. Solar installations on flat roofs require brackets to support the panels and present them at the most suitable angle.
• The roof must be structurally sound to support the weight of solar panels. Large solar installations can be quite heavy, so have your roof assessed by an expert to check that it is strong enough to support a solar power system.
Solar panels should be installed to maximize input of sunlight and output of energy. If it’s impractical to install solar panels on your roof because it is shaded by trees or neighboring buildings, you might consider setting up a solar installation in your yard. Talk to your agent to check how your Iowa home insurance is likely to be affected by a solar installation!
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