If you’re in the process of building a new home and are thinking of installing a solar system or a solar home battery system in the future it’s important that you know what to do now to ensure you have the right set up for your future solar system. By taking these factors into consideration, you could potentially be saving your future self a lot of time, money and regret. Read on to discover the best ways to prepare your new home for solar installation and how to get it right from the start.
The Land
You’ll need to consider the lay of the land you are building your home on, as the shape of the block of land can have a surprising effect on how well your solar panels perform. Homes that are built on a flat block of land will have the most potential for all day sun exposure. When building on a sloped block it is important to consider how the slope of your block may inhibit your roof’s sun exposure. For example, a block of land with a hill on the western side will obtain sun exposure much earlier in the morning but will also lose its sun exposure much earlier in the afternoon.
The Shade
Think about what objects could cast shade onto your future solar panels. Are there large trees nearby? How close is your neighbour’s property? The construction of a multi-story building right next to your house could cast shade over your roof for a large portion of the day!
The Design of the Roof
To capture the most sunlight possible, a north-facing roof is ideal. If this isn’t an option, don’t fret, a system consisting of panels facing East & West is almost just as good.
If you plan on adding other items to your roof, such as a satellite dish, chimney, shade sails or air conditioning system, install them far away from your solar panels to prevent them from casting a shadow. Install them on the Southern facing roof as this is the least likely place to cause shading of your solar panels. Another important thing to note is that solar panels installed at a slope of less than 15 degrees will not self clean effectively. If you choose to install them on a flat roof without tilt racking, they will require regular cleaning.
Pre-Install the Wires
It’s much easier to install solar panel wiring in the walls before they have been gyprocked. If you know that you will be installing a solar panel system into your home in the future, it’s a good idea to pre-install the wiring for it during the building of your home so that when it comes time to install solar, it will be quicker, cheaper and you will end up with a much more aesthetically pleasing finished product.
Build a Well-Insulated House
One of the best things you can do to save on energy costs in the future is to build a well-insulated and energy-efficient home right from the start. Things like double glazed windows, quality insulation, and electric heat pump hot water systems are a fantastic long-term investment that will reduce your energy consumption and end up saving you costs down the road.
Having panels installed on your roof will also reduce the amount of direct sunlight your roof is exposed to, greatly improving your home’s energy efficiency in summer.
Get the Professionals to Install Your Solar Energy System
If you’re building a new home and ready to go green with solar or a solar battery – Solar Energy Adelaide can help! We’re experts in installing and repairing solar systems in residential and commercial properties with customised solutions to suit every budget, home and lifestyle. Give us a call today to find out more information.
