Summer is here, and its where a lot of homes already using solar panels start to see the real benefits. We are lucky here in Australia, that our environment and weather is one of the most ideal situations for solar panels. But are they right for your home? First things first, solar panels must be installed by licenced professionals, and so this is not a do it yourself kind of job. You will need two different licenced trades to get going with your solar panel installation. First you need a roofing expert, we can show you where your roof may need repair work done, in order to support the weight of the panels. Then you will need a solar installer; sometimes these are electricians, sometimes your roofing contractor has the right qualifications and insurance to complete the panel installation. So, the installation seems easy, by why is solar power a good idea for your home. Read on for our advice.
As we progress forward and change our thinking around the environment and sustainability, we look to use more and more renewable energy sources, like water, wind and the sun. This is to replace the burning of fossil fuels which isn’t a renewable source and damages the environment through mining, and other such activities. So, seeing as you’re not likely to have a wind turbine or hydro electric plant in your backyard, solar is the next best choice. We can all agree, in Australia, we get a lot of sun. We even have solar panel farms in remote locations.
Solar panels allow homeowners to not only reduce their ongoing household costs, but to also improve the value of their property, simply by harvesting the energy from the sun. But is Solar the right choice for your roof? Here are some considerations to make before taking the plunge.
Cost
Solar installation is not cheap. The materials and labour may look expensive when you first see the quote, however you should factor in the cost saving over the lifetime of the panels. A lot of homes actually generate enough power to run their home, and feed excess back to the grid, helping with the load on the network, reducing risks of blackouts and network down time; but also reducing the overall running costs of their home and in some cases, receiving a return for the extra energy.
Weather
This is where you need to be sure your roof gets enough sun. If you are surrounded by taller buildings, or trees, your roof might not be in the best position. Of course, there are ways around most things, but still something to consider.
Your Roof
As we touched on, the crucial factor is your roof and where it is at with its life cycle. So there may be the added cost of repairs, restoration or in some cases it may just be easier to replace the roof. It will just take you a little longer to earn back the money initially outlaid, but it will improve the value of your home.
Sometimes a roof cannot be restored, and your money would be better used replacing the COLORBOND® roof on your home. GT Roofing Adelaide specialises in roofing restoration, replacements, repairs and extensions and works with COLORBOND® Steel and BlueScope Steel throughout the Adelaide area and across South Australia. For an obligation free chat, please call George on 0434 640 550 or complete our contact form and we will get in touch shortly.