Adding solar panels to our home

We added solar panels to our home in 2022 in the hope of helping the planet save energy.

Here’s what we learned while doing it, and how the system is working so far.

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choosing a company

We had to be very patient! The company we chose took more than a year to start the install. They worked with an independent company to organize and sell the panels (this company was great), but the installers themselves were disorganized and the process was complicated.

Once the panels were installed they worked well and we didn’t have issues. But depending on the company you pick, you may be in for a wait. We also had to follow up a few times on sorting out the costs since we were offered incentives upfront, but since it took so long to install some had expired by the time the installation happened. In the end, we got what we wanted, but again, be prepared.

Things to consider

A few things to consider before you install, in addition to researching and picking a company, is whether you want to rent or buy solar panels. We chose to buy ours.

Then figure out if your roof is equipped to hold panels. How old is the roof and does it need any repairs in advance? You wouldn’t want to add panels to then have to remove them to fix the roof, this would be costly.

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Next, decide how many panels you’ll need. Usually, the company can help you decide this based on how much energy you’re currently using. You want the panels to cover your costs.

using the app

We got access to an app once our panels were installed. This is how it looks:

You can view your production based on day, month, year and lifetime:

It also breaks down ways you’ve helped save the environment. This is based on savings for half of October:

payment plans

We did a lot of math and calculations, with the help of the company, before we signed on. We wanted our solar panels to cover our monthly costs and to also be less than the current electricity bills we had. This was possible with a 20-year loan, and with their incentives and a tax credit.

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According to the New York Times as of 2022, “The median quote is about $26,125 for an average rooftop solar system of 9,500 watts before the federal tax credit.”

This will depend on where you live and who you use, but you can do research like this to help you make decisions.

Also, decide if you want a battery. They are expensive but will help if you have power outages.