Solar for New Home Construction
EXCITEMENT KEEPS BUILDING FOR SOLAR
Most residential solar installations are performed on existing homes. However, savvy construction companies and individuals having homes built quickly realize the advantages of building solar arrays right into new constructions. It’s the smartest way to maximize the power you generate and seamlessly incorporate the entire system with minimal disruption.
WHY INSTALL DURING NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION?
Choosing to install a solar energy system while your home is under construction allows you to design your home with the system in mind so you can anticipate and get rid of possible issues first, rather than having to find workarounds later on. For example, you can take advantage of the fact that a south-facing roof generates the most power. You can also ensure you choose a roofing material robust enough to avoid extra equipment and labor costs.
Knowing you want solar from the beginning can influence other decisions, like choosing an electric furnace that gets power from your solar panel system rather than a gas furnace. In short, installing solar panels during home construction is the best way to make sure all the elements of your home work together visually and functionally.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN INSTALLING SOLAR IN NEW CONSTRUCTION
There’s a lot to consider when designing a solar-ready home. Working with your homebuilder, you’ll need to consider the following elements:
- Roof pitch and orientation: Optimally, the roof will face south and have a pitch of 30 to 45 degrees
- Roof load: Solar panel systems are heavy, so you need to ensure the load-bearing specifications are adequate.
- Mounting points: Plan for the placement of mounting points to save money and time.
- Roof layout: Ensure the placement of dormers, vents, chimneys, or other structures won’t create shade that takes away from your energy generation.
3 Benefits of Installing Solar During Construction
If you’re building a new space, it’s the perfect time to add solar to your property. Adding solar during initial construction offers a wealth of benefits, including:
- Optimizing your solar pane setup for maximum efficiency
- Less downtime compared to installing the panels later
- Working closely with the construction company to install the panels properly
When you install solar panels at the time of construction, the entire project can be much easier to handle for everyone involved.
ADDING SOLAR DURING CONSTRUCTION
Although some homebuilders will install solar on their own, it’s best to work with a company specializing in residential solar energy systems. The first step is to communicate to the builder that you want the design to be solar-ready. Once the design is agreed upon, the plans will go to the installer, and they will install the system at the appropriate juncture, according to the blueprints.
POWER YOUR DREAM HOME WITH SOLAR LIBERTY
Choosing the right installer to set up a solar energy system in your new construction home makes the process smooth and streamlined. Solar Liberty is the largest solar panel installer in New York State for a reason!
We have the skill, technology, and service to make your experience an exciting one. Call us or contact us online to discuss the possibilities of solar in your new home.
FAQs
Should I purchase appliances before or after deciding on solar?
It can be a good idea to consider the energy needs of your appliances before you make a purchase. Any appliance will work with solar power or regular power, but you may want a more energy-efficient system if you choose to not install solar panels.
Does adding solar to the construction process add a lot of time?
Solar installation may add a bit of additional time to the construction process, but not a significant amount of time at all. Our crew will work with your construction team to ensure a quick and smooth installation process.
