Hawaii is a paradise, which is why so many individuals and families chose to move there. It has a tropical climate, making it perfect for all types of adventures, including exploring the solar energy possibilities. However, owning a solar energy system in Hawaii is not as easy as it sounds. For starters, you need to make sure that your roof is suitable for converting sunlight into electricity. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of tips that will help you figure out whether or not a solar energy system is right for your home.
Look At The Biggest Houses
The first and most important piece of advice is to look at the biggest houses. This is because these are the ones that are most likely to have installed solar energy systems. You can learn a lot from studying how they handled the power distribution and how they configured their panels. This way, you will have a better understanding of what you’re up against and what to expect. The only other piece of advice is to look at their diagrams and electrical wiring. This will help you determine if what you’re seeing is something that you would want or need in your home.
Review The Overall Design Of The House
Another important thing to consider is the overall design of the house. This includes things like the shape of the roof, the floors, and the walls. You don’t want to put in the effort of converting solar energy if the house is completely unsuitable for it. You can contact the architect or the builder to get an idea of what they have planned, and if there is anything that you could change to make it more suitable for solar energy production.
Check For Roof Tilt
A roof that is tilted at too steep an angle can cause serious problems for photo-voltaic cells. Instead of collecting sunlight, the cells under such circumstances will reflect more of it, causing the temperature to increase and possibly degrading the quality of the electricity they produce.
If your roof is between 15 and 30 degrees, it’s ideal for converting sunlight into electricity. Anything steeper, and the energy output will decrease significantly.
Look At The Layout Of The Property
A lot of properties in Hawaii are arranged in a way that takes advantage of the Sun’s natural movements. For instance, south-facing walls play an important role in gathering more sunlight and generating more electricity than north-facing ones. This means that you can position your units to get the best possible results from the Sun’s movement regardless of the time of day or year. This also makes your panels more efficient.
Furthermore, if you position your panels to take advantage of the Sun’s movement, you don’t need to worry about shading them from the wind, as it will be the other way around. You can protect them from overheating by using an appropriate cooling system, and you can use the extra electricity to power up your home’s appliances.
Make Sure Your Water Supply Is Secure
For those who live in areas where heavy rainfall is common, it is essential to have a reliable water supply. We want to avoid any problems that might arise from a flooded solar energy system. This is why you need to make sure that your water supply is protected from outside leakage or damage. You can check for cracks or holes in your sewage line or the ground above it, as well as examine the roof for signs of weathering or damage that might lead to leakage.
In areas where there is a risk of water damage, you should also fix any faulty fixtures or appliances before installing a solar energy system. Otherwise, you might be creating more problems than you’re solving. A few of these could even lead to a complete water damage, causing tens of thousands of dollars in repair bills. Not to mention the stress that you will be under as you wait for the water company to fix the problem.
Is There Enough Room For The Necessities?
One of the most important things to consider before moving forward with a solar energy project is whether or not there is enough room for the necessities. Remember, you are not just converting sunlight into electricity, you are also creating more space for your home’s other needs. For instance, if you have a large family or live in a small space, you will need more room for everybody. This is why it’s best to look at the size of your home beforehand and determine how much space you have to work with. Sometimes, you have no choice but to have a look around your home and see what you can get rid of to make more room for the new system. If this means downsizing or moving, so be it.
To give you a better idea of how much space you have available, you can use a tool like SolarCalc to figure out how many kilowatts of electricity you can generate on your roof. This will help you determine how much space you have and how many panels you need. The exact number will vary depending on the design and style of your roof as well as the size of your home.
Another important factor to consider is the location of your nearest electricity supply. Are there any power lines near your property that you could connect to and use for free? If not, you will have to spend at least some of the electricity you generate. This is why it’s best practice to store extra electricity in batteries, so you can use it when the Sun isn’t shining and the grid isn’t available. Batteries also help you store electricity at night, when your house is completely dark. This is important for preserving the energy that would otherwise be lost during these hours. Most importantly, rechargeable batteries have an advantage when it comes to climate change. They don’t produce any toxic waste when disposed of properly. This is a huge plus if you are concerned about the environment.
What About The Maintenance And Repairs?
Another important factor to consider when evaluating a solar energy system is the maintenance and repairs that will be needed. Just because your panels are made of good ingredients doesn’t mean that they will always operate smoothly. This is why it’s important to have a good maintenance plan in place, especially if you live in a warmer climate. If you forget to clean the panels occasionally or neglect to maintain the temperature within their optimal range, they will malfunction and ultimately stop working. To prevent this from happening, you will need to monitor and clean them regularly or have someone do it for you.
Even when they are working properly, solar energy systems need some maintenance and adjustment from time to time. For instance, if there is a car parked in front of your house, it could potentially block the Sun’s rays from reaching the panel. This will cause the output to decline and eventually stop generating electricity entirely. To avoid this, you will need to remove or move the car at least ten feet away from your home’s front door.
Can You Afford It?
Last but not least, we want to mention the cost of the solar energy system. It’s great when you can get a good deal, but it’s also important to remember that cheap does not necessarily mean good. In some cases, you could end up purchasing a substandard product that will end up breaking down after just a few months of use. Remember, you are not just buying a product; you are also investing in a new source of power that could potentially change the way you use electricity in your home. This is why it’s best to do your research before committing.
Luckily for you, we’ve done all the research for you and come up with a comprehensive list of tips that will help you figure out whether or not a solar energy system is right for your home. With these tips in mind, you will have a better understanding of what you’re up against and what to expect. This way, you will be able to take advantage of the Sun’s energy more fully and efficiently and become an environmentalist at the same time.