Installing a home solar power system is an excellent choice for any Handcock county homeowner. And undoubtedly of the utmost significance for those who begin their journey in off-grid living. Solar power panels give you independence from the power company’s grid structure and fees. Most importantly, having a home solar power system puts you in complete control. Thus awarding you the homeowner complete home energy independence.
Installing a solar power system requires experience and knowledge in several building trades, and it’s a job most people want to leave to a professional who has the right expertise.
Luther’s Home Building is a construction specialist with extensive experience in Home Solar Power System installation. We can help you design and install a solar power electric system to meet your present and future needs for an off-grid or grid-tie system.
Designing a Home Solar Power System
Designing a solar power system starts with asking questions about how much power the home needs and at what times of the day.
To answer this, a solar design specialist checks each electrical device the residents use for wattage and amperage and electrical power consumption. This includes checking electrically powered:
Refrigerators
Freezers
Televisions, computers, and other electronics
Stereos
Heaters
Lighting
Air conditioning units
Power tools
Power ignition to gas-fueled appliances
Your solar power contractor then adds up all the watts and amps needed to meet your electric power needs. This figure is usually rounded upward to account for peak usage and to assure power availability at all times.
Once the power usage information is determined, the solar power designer must also look at:
Site location and sun exposure
Structural considerations for roof-mounted systems
The thermal mass of the building
Batteries to meet electrical needs
Your solar power designer also has to consider the location of the building site and decide where to locate the solar panels, so they receive the maximum amount of sun.
If the location is on a rooftop, the designer must also look at the structure of the roof and calculate whether it can support the additional weight of the solar system.
If the roof is inadequate, the contractor then needs to design additional support members to carry the load of the new power system on the roof.
Another consideration a designer might look at is how much thermal mass the building has, which could off-set the need for heating, reducing electrical could power consumption.
In self-contained, off grid solar power systems, a battery power storage component is also part of the design.
Battery storage capacity must be adequate to meet the usage requirements. Batteries also need to be housed in a protected and out-of-the-way location, which is still easy to access for required maintenance.
In a residential Home Solar Power System, batteries may not be necessary because excess power generated by the panels feeds back into the power company’s grid.
The customer then receives a credit on their power bill or a check for the difference between what they used from the power company and what they generated with their solar system.
An advantage of a grid-tie system is that you can buy power from the power company if your usage exceeds the capacity of your solar electric system.
You can also have a grid-tie system with a battery back-up. With this type of system, you still keep the power on when the sun is not shining. And the power company grid is off-line.
Installing Solar Power at Your Location
Undeniably, installing a home solar power system requires knowledge in several areas of the building trades, including:
Electrical
Carpentry
Roofing
Working with building department inspectors and building codes
Solar power system design and installation
So, rest assured, Luther’s Home Building and Excavation has you and your home solar power system covered. Our solar power installation team is very well seasoned with the expert knowledge necessary to install your new electricity system.
Properly installing a solar power system starts with a robust blueprint. One that meets the needs of the users, and also with the option to expand in the future.
Next, it’s essential to know building codes and have experience working with county building inspectors, architects, and other professionals.
Finally, a solar power installer needs the right set of hands-on building trade skills. Additionally, the necessary tools and equipment for completing the job safely and efficiently are a must.
Installing a solar power electrical system involves careful attention to detail and accurate work at each phase of the project.
Projects installed on roofs require particular care. It is essential to fasten the system securely to the roof without creating leaks, now or in the future. Working on a rooftop also involves special consideration for worker safety.
Luther’s Home Building Designs and Installs Home Solar Power Systems
Luther has over two decades of experience building homes and designing and installing residential solar power systems in Maine.
If you are interested in installing solar at your property, contact us today.
Luther’s Home Building and Excavation at 207 610-9159 for more information and an estimate.
