Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 July 2012 01:51 Written by ahroofing Wednesday, 25 July 2012 01:45

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Anyone who lives here in Colorado knows at times we may be short on water but one thing we are NOT short on is sunshine. And we probably all agree that is a good thing and something that makes our state great.

So switching to solar panels or solar tile to meet your home’s energy requirements can prove to be a valuable investment for the Coloradan. Solar power can help you reduce your electric bill and contribute to saving the environment. It can also increase the value of your property. So how does it work?

Solar panel modules can be installed or integrated on to your roof or on the ground. When the sunlight comes in contact with the solar panels, it is converted into power. The power goes through a solar inverter, which converts it into alternating current and passes it on to your home through a service panel.

If you produce more energy than you need, the excess can be run back through your meter into your electric company’s grid and directly reduce your electric bill.

If you are taking solar panels into consideration there are a few important questions you need to ask yourself:

How much electricity do you use on a daily basis? Include your refrigerator, TV, lights, and other appliances.

How much solar power do you want? Most residential solar panel installations are designed to offset a portion of the electricity that your home or office consumes — but not all. That’s because it is often dramatically more expensive to generate 100% of your electricity needs than to generate 80% of the power.

What is your ideal payback period? The payback period is the amount of time it will take for your system to pay for itself in energy cost savings. Payback is calculated based on the current energy bill and the cost of your system. This will vary among systems. Small systems may have a payback period of 15 years while larger systems may have a 12-year payback period.

Who are you going to hire? And how do you come to that decision?

• Get bids from several contractors
• Ask each contractor if they have experience installing grid-connected solar systems. (A grid-connected system is one where you can sell excess power back to your utility company.)
• Make sure that the contractors have appropriate licenses. Check with your Town Hall for local requirements.

The future of American homes could easily include solar power as standard equipment, so you might consider getting in as an early adapter now.

If you have any questions or need any recommendations about solar power or solar power installation please call us at A & H Roofing. We would be happy to help you make the most of your home.