Rooftop Solar Installations: The Pros and Cons
Types of Rooftop Solar Power Installations
One of the most well known solar products on the market today are rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels. You can buy an array of photovoltaic panels custom made to fit your roof. You can by kits that will charge a battery bank and also tie into the grid system.
Another product on the market today are solar shingles. Solar shingles are the same size as asphalt shingles. Solar shingles are laid on a roof interspersed with asphalt shingles. They are then wired like the photovoltaic panels into the grid or battery chargers.
One other type of rooftop solar installation is a solar water heater. These systems generally have water flowing through them which is then heated by the sun. They are connected to a storage tank or a hot water heater to supply household hot water needs.
Pros of Rooftop Solar Installations
· The biggest pro of solar rooftop installations is the fact that is uses a renewable energy resource, the sun. It uses no fossil fuels to generate electricity. It emits no hydrocarbons. It is a truly green source of power and heating.
· The money savings cost can be tremendous. After the initial investment, your system save you money on your energy costs. Some people even have received negative bills because of excess generation of electricity. Imagine how cool it would be to see your electric meter running backward.
· Various State governments offer tax incentives for solar rooftop installations. The Federal Government also offers incentives. Go to the DSIRE, Database of State Incentives For Renewables & Efficiency to see what state, local, federal and utility incentives are out there.
· Solar rooftop installations are nearly maintenance free. Most come with long time warranties.
· Solar rooftop installations are quiet. Except for solar hot water heaters, they have no moving parts and the hot water heaters are practically noiseless.
Cons of Rooftop Solar Installations
· Cost, cost, cost. The cost of photovoltaic panels, at this time is quite high. If you are not a skilled do-it-yourselfer, installation costs will also be high.
· Location, location, location. This is another variable in solar rooftop installations. Depending on your latitude, you will get more or less sun. This can affect the efficiency of your rooftop system.
· Aesthetics. Because of the fact that your whole roof will be taken up by your array, you will either be the coolest household in the neighborhood because you are green or you will be the person with the ugly roof.
· Night. At night you will not be generating electricity so you will have to rely on stored energy or net metering. For more on net metering go to The Green Power Network.
For more information on solar rooftop installations go to any of the sources below:
Published by Ray Mickol
Ray Mickol has worked as a Firefighter and Paramedic for over twenty years. Mr. Mickol is certified as an American Heart Association Instructor. He is also credentialed as a State of Ohio CE Instructor. As w... View profile
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