Tips for Homeowners Considering a Solar Installation

Roofs themselves, however, also have a timeline attached, which usually ranges from 10 to 30 years. While this can prove an expensive first step, anyone interested in a solar installation should consider replacing the roof first to avoid having to take off the solar panels later, as this can have implications for the solar installation's warranty.

GetSolar suggests several other smaller scale home improvements that can help improve the impact of a solar installation as well. While homeowners might be considering switching to solar exclusively for the financial benefits, investing in home efficiency can dramatically reduce costs on its own as well as substantially decrease the size of the solar installation needed to fulfill a home's energy needs. Horizon Energy System notes that a $700 energy efficient refrigerator might reduce the number of solar panels needed by around $2,100.

This same approach can also be applied with great effect to light bulbs, while electricity usage from smaller devices can be reduced by using power strips that can be turned off when they are not needed.

Particularly for houses with high cooling costs or with electric heaters, another larger scale option could be increased insulation and new weatherstripping on windows and doors. EnergyDigital notes that President Obama referred to this process as "one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest things we can do to put Americans back to work, while saving money and reducing harmful emissions."

Once they have reached the point of planning for a solar installation, many homeowners can benefit from services like energy audits, which can help identify other potential savings, but also qualify homes for certain solar incentives. Understanding the difference between Standard Test Conditions, which represent output under ideal conditions, Practical Test Conditions, which represents something closer to the real world, and other ratings systems can help find the best solar system for a particular house.

Between all these preparations, homeowners can often come out with little or no electricity costs, and a house that should be all set for power for decades to come.