Is it right for you? Yes. I like west and south facing for the panels because that’s the most bang for buck. Late day energy is expensive, so west is good. South is greatest generation direction.
Sunlight: Your home needs good sun exposure, ideally with south-facing roof space. Shady areas reduce efficiency. Electricity bill: Solar makes sense if you have high electricity bills and predictable usage.
Panels: Convert sunlight to electricity. Size depends on needs, roof space.
Inverter: Converts DC (direct current) from panels to AC (alternating current) for your home.
Battery (optional): Stores excess solar energy for use at night/cloudy days.
Costs and savings: There’s a significant initial cost for purchasing and installing a system. Range $2.60 – $3.90 per kWh, without batteries.
Financing: Many options include loans, PACE programs, leasing the system from a provider.
Savings: reduced electricity bills and Federal tax edits Long-term: Solar panels typically last 25+ years.
Consumer Guide to Home Solar: https://www.seia.org/research-resources/consumer-guide-home-solar is a good starting point.
Quotes: Get quotes from multiple qualified installers.
Understand the contract: Be sure you understand financing terms, warranties, and maintenance requirements.
Roof condition: Roof needs to be in good shape to support solar panels.
Homeownership: Solar installations can add value to your home. Leases or PPAs (power purchase agreements) require agreements when selling home.