Santa Clarita residents who are wondering if your home is suitable to be fitted with a solar energy system, here are five questions to ask yourself before going solar.

How much is your utility bill? Asking yourself this question and assessing this information is the first step in figuring out whether your home is a good candidate for solar or not. The question you should be asking yourself then is “Will solar ultimately save me money?”.

The general criteria is that you will be able to start racking up savings if you pay at least $75 for electricity a month. This is the starting point in which residents will see savings attributed to their solar panel system. Consult a solar expert about the local and federal incentives available to you as well as the policies specific to where you live for going solar.

What kind of roofing do you have? If you have composite or asphalt shingle, concrete tile, or standing seam metal, good news. These types of roofing are all extremely durable and lasting materials which are ideal for the installation of solar panels. If you have wood shake, slate tile, clay with mortar, composite metal, or stone coated steel, you can still get outfitted with solar panels for your home. However, you will need to check in with a solar company specifically experienced with installing on these types of roofs.

Related: What Are The Environmental Benefits Of Solar Energy?

Does your roof need replacement? Ensuring that your roof is in good condition and doesn’t need immediate replacement is vital because solar panels have a life of about 40 years. It would be a hassle to have to remove them at some point before then.

How much sunlight does your roofing receive? When consulting a solar company, they will send an expert to come and gather information on your property such as sunlight orientation, roof angle, and tree shading to determine if your roofing will be able to harness enough sunlight to power your home. The more direct sunlight your home gets, the more power your panels will be able to generate. As such, excessive shading from trees will reduce the amount of power generated.

What is your typical local climate like? Solar energy is produced in a variety of climates. Highly efficient solar panel systems have the ability to convert both direct and indirect sunlight which means that even on cloudy days, your system will be able to harness sunlight and create energy for your home.

If you believe your home is a good candidate for solar energy, Pick My Solar is a free, online platform servicing Santa Clarita that compares solar offers from the best solar installers. Their competitive marketplace automatically finds you the best deals, saving you time and money. Their website is www.pickmysolar.com.

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