Solar Panels for New Home Construction: Yay or Nay?

Are you considering building or buying a new build home, and wondering if you should add solar panels to it? This is a question that many homeowners ask as they look for ways to save money and make homes more energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly.  In this guide, we will look at the benefits of solar, and help you to decide if it is the right choice for you, and if solar panels for new home construction is a good option.

What are solar panels and how do they work?

Starting with the basics, they are special panels made up of smaller panels called photovoltaic panels, these take the sunshine and effectively turn it into electricity, which can then be used to run lights, appliances and even air-conditioning.

The Benefits of Solar Panels for New Home Construction

The main reasons why adding solar would be beneficial are as follows:

1. Money saving – after the initial cost of installation, they effectively give you up to 10 years of free electricity, and provide you with security for times when power cuts may be strife.
2. Protection of the environment – solar is a clean and renewable power, which means it does not produce harmful emissions like fossil fuels, by using solar power you can effectively reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the planet and future generations.
3. Solar can increase house prices – Studies have shown that homes that have solar fitted tend to sell for more money than those without. By adding solar panels to your new home you could increase the value and make it more attractive to future buyers.
4. Independence – If you install solar panels, then you will be far less dependent on the national grid for your power needs, therefore should a power cut ensue, you will still have power to your home, and you will also have more control over your power consumption and energy usage, and be more prepared if a disruption occurs.

Should you add solar to your newly built home?

Here are some things to consider when deciding if solar is the right choice.

1. Budget – whilst solar panels can cost a lot up front, undoubtedly they do reduce financial spending over time. And do pay for themselves very quickly.
2. Location – For solar to work efficiently you need to be in an area with plenty of sunlight and very little shade. There are panels which work efficiently in clouded areas but most will not be efficient in shaded areas (such as under trees)
3. Energy requirements – For solar to work, you need to know how much power you consume on a daily basis, for this we recommend contacting a qualified installer to help work out what size array you require to provide you with all the power you may need.
4. Future plans –  what are your forthcoming plans for your home? Do you plan to stay there long term or do you plan to sell in the near future? If long-term then solar might be a good fit, as you will get plenty of return on your initial investment, BUT, if you plan to sell fairly soon then it might not be a viable option investment-wise, you need to weigh up the initial cost vs the additional price it will add to your home to see if it is a viable proposition.

In conclusion, adding solar to your newly built home is likely to be the smartest decision you can make, as it offers multiple benefits including saving money and protecting the environment, as well as potentially increasing the value of your home. It would be wise to consider your budget, and location as well as your current and potential future power needs before deciding if solar is the right choice for you.