There’s no denying chicken coops have been around for centuries. But as technology progresses, why not make our lives easier? Just one 200w chicken coop heater uses roughly 144kwh of electricity a month. This equates to only 1-2 extra panels on your home install, depending on the size of your coop. In this article, we will be breaking down why it makes sense to power your chicken coop and home with solar.
Why not keep your energy costs low?
The average homeowner saves over $1,700 a year on their electric bill when switching to solar. Even better, there are federal incentives that pay you back 26% of your solar system, greatly reducing your bill. Some states, including Utah, and New Mexico offer state rebates for solar as well. These tax credits end up being up to $6,000 back in your pocket! Combine that with the federal incentives and you see up to $20,000 in combined incentives! All the more reason to power your chicken coop and home with solar!
Do YOU Qualify for chicken coop solar?
Today, solar is without a doubt available in your market. Whether you’re still figuring out how to build a chicken coop or you are a veteran just looking to get some new tips on how to clean your chicken coop, solar is here for you and can make the process easier. At Solar Works we serve New Mexico, Utah, and Texas. If you are looking for solar and you live in a different state, that’s ok! Fill out this form and we will get you matched with a top-quality solar company in your area.
Are you a big do-it-yourself person? Solar is perfect for those of us with DIY tendencies. Even if you are in the early stages looking up a frame plan for your chicken coop, you can get the process started. Contact us for a free solar quote! There is nothing more satisfying than being self-sustaining. Solar panels are your ticket to ultimate sustainability. Use solar to reduce the cost of your chicken coop by installing solar panels on your home. This is a fantastic way to increase the productivity of your DIY chicken coop. Trust us, your chickens will thank you later!
In the age where anything can be learned from YouTube, it may be tempting to take on solar as a DIY project. However, this might be one of those times that it’s actually just in your best interest to let someone else do their job.
Let’s take a look at what goes into a solar project that a contractor can make sure goes as smoothly as possible.
A contractor will make sure your roof can withstand the load
Your roof has to be structurally sound
This is likely the most crucial piece of information to have before the project even begins. In some cases, homeowners choose to bundle the process of replacing their roof and having solar installed because it ends up saving them money in the long run and ensures that the roof is in good enough shape to support the panels.
Your roof has to be capable of withstanding an extreme weather event AND the panels
Here is one example of information that a solar contractor can easily obtain, but that would be a lot harder for you to figure out.
Before beginning any solar install, a solar contractor is going to do an analysis on your roof compared to the area you live in to make sure that even if there is an extremely rare weather event, your roof will still be able to support the panels.
It’s one thing to know if the panels are okay up there on a sunny day, it’s something else completely to trust that they (and your roof) will be okay if there is a freak snow, hail or wind storm.
The panels have to fit without overloading any poiNt On The ROof
To ensure that your roof is not taking on too much weight in any one spot, a contractor will conduct an engineering report to figure out exactly how to arrange the panels on your roof to ensure that their weight is dispersed as evenly as possible while still being in a position that produces as much energy as possible.
A contractor has technology to take into account extreme heat, cloudy days, shade, location
Although I’m sure you know your area pretty well and you understand how often it’s sunny compared to cloudy etc., the exact measurements of these factors are really important in designing a system for your roof.
Solar panels work by collecting the light from the sun turning it into usable energy for your home. So it’s really important that small or even big, unexpected changed in the weather don’t change your ability to power your home!
For example, during the hottest months of the year, solar panels can actually lose up to 20-30% of their efficiency due to the extreme heat. Not to mention that there will be daily fluctuations based on the shadows that pass over your roof, the cloud cover, the time of year etc.
It’s very hard to make an estimation of exactly how all of these factors will affect the output of a solar system. Thankfully, solar contractors have access to technology that can do a lot of the calculation for them so that they can be certain you won’t be without power on an off-day, nor overcompensate and end up paying for more panels than you really need.
A contractor will know if it’s better for you to have a ground mount and can design one optimally
In some cases, after doing all of the inspection and running the analyses mentioned above, a contractor will discover that putting a solar system on your roof is not actually in your best interest.
If this is the case, they will be able to recommend other options for you including the possibility of a ground mount. Then, if a ground mount is the right option for you, they have the capability to design and build the perfect one to meet your needs at the lowest possible price point!
A contractor will have easy access to the required permitting offices
Building a new structure on your property, whether it’s on your roof or on your land, is going to require you to get specific permits from your local AHJ. If you’ve every tried to get permitting for anything, you know, this is not always an extremely smooth or painless process.
However, because solar companies are interacting with these jurisdictions every single day, they eventually build a relationship with each other that makes the process much easier for everyone. Being able to take advantage of this relationship, alone, might be worth the price of the contractor right there!
You won’t have the same warranties if you install the panels yourself
Just like the relationships that exist between solar contractors and permitting offices, solar companies are going to be much more “in” with the manufacturers of the panels themselves.
This means that when it comes to your warranty, you are much more likely to be able to reap the benefits of a warranty when working with a contractor than when you’re advocating for yourself in a DIY project. Not to mention, many solar companies will take responsibility for getting your issue resolved and make sure that it happens as quickly as possible in order to maintain their good standing with you, the customer.
Even if you are able to get a warranty on the panels you purchase for your DIY project, you will likely have many more hoops to jump through should you ever end up needing to fall back on that warranty.
It will take you A LOT of time and every set back will fall directly on your shoulders
This may seem obvious but I can’t leave it unsaid: installing solar panels yourself as a DIY would be a huge undertaking! It is going to take lots of time and energy and every little hiccup along the way will fall onto your shoulders.
You probably already have a job that you’re really good at! There also happen to be people who have this job, and they’re really good at this. Why not let a contractor help you out so you can spend your time where it’s most valuable?
Solar energy is quickly becoming a preferred way to power the home for many homeowners. You’ve probably seen plenty of panels popping up near your home! Solar can be a great investment for a home but before it can be installed, there are a few requirements your roof will have to meet in order to make sure the system and your roof will be safe.
In most cases, as long as your roof is structurally sound and has enough sun-facing surface area to fit the number of panels your home needs, your roof will be sufficient to install solar panels.
Though this is generally the case, it’s important to allow a professional to conduct a site survey to make sure that your roof is a good fit for solar. Here are some of the factors they’ll be looking at.
Your Roof Needs To Be Structurally Sound
The most important factor is just to make sure that your roof is structurally sound. This is something that your solar company will make sure of using engineering reports during your site survey. Interestingly, your roof doesn’t have to be particularly hard/strong like you might expect.
Each panel with all of its components weighs abouts 40 pounds which is dispersed over a surface area of about 18 ft—an amount that most roofs can easily support.
This is actually not a whole lot of weight per square foot. It would do a lot more damage a lot more quickly if the whole 40 pounds was confined to a smaller surface area. For example, if you went out and stood in one spot on your roof for the next 20 years, you would probably make a big hole! But since solar panels are designed to cover a lot of surface area in order to capture a lot of light, you don’t have to worry much about their added weight.
Your Roof Plus The Panels Must Be Able to Withstand Extreme Weather
The team that inspects your roof will have to make sure that together, your roof and the panels will be able to withstand even a 1000-year weather event, for example heavy ice and snow in the desert. (To read about how solar panels work when it’s not sunny, click here.)
This is something that roofing companies already ensure for the roof alone, and your solar company will double-check for the added weight of the solar panels. This is one of the major reasons it’s important to hire a professional to install your system, because they will have access to the technology that allows them to ensure your home will be protected.
Your Roof Must Have Enough Surface Area To Fit The Panels
In some cases, homes are built in such a way that the usable surface area of the roof is relatively small compared to the internal square footage of the home. For example, some multi-story homes get their square footage from their height rather than their width. It can also happen when a home is built close to other structures that shade the roof, like trees or other buildings.
When this is the case, it may be difficult to design a roof system that allows for enough solar panels to meet the energy needs of the home.
This is another great example of why working with a professional on this project is a good idea, because they can help you make sure your energy needs are being met 100%. If your roof isn’t able to fit a sufficient number of panels, your solar company may recommend that you use a ground mount instead.
With everyone talking about solar power and many homeowners making the switch, the name “solar” power might be a little bit confusing. Does that mean that our homes will only be powered when the sun is shining? What happens if it’s raining or when it’s night time?
Residential solar power works for your home around the clock—regardless of how sunny it is at a given moment.
It would not be a very well-designed system if we were only able to use power when the sun decided to shine! Thankfully, the engineers behind solar energy figured that out for us.
Does solar work when it’s cold outside?
Solar panel efficiency is not affected by the temperature outside. Solar panels use the energy from the light of the sun, not the heat. So as long as the sun is shining, your panels are producing some energy. And even when it’s not, your’e still covered–as we’ll see in the next section.
How do solar panels work when it’s raining, snowing, or cloudy?
Because solar panels use the energy from the light of the sun rather than the heat, the amount of energy they will produce in given weather conditions depends on how much cloud cover there is and how much light is still getting through to the panels.
Although you can likely expect the panels to be producing some energy in cloudy conditions, it might be as little as 10% of what you normally expect.
Thankfully, this doesn’t mean that the lights are going to go out in your house every time a cloud rolls by. Residential solar systems are set up so that they produce excess energy during the sunny times that can continue to power your home around the clock.
The energy is either banked with your local electric company, often in a program called “net metering,” or some homeowners opt to use their own battery storage system.
Solar panels of photovoltaic power plant on the snow covered roof
What are the optimal weather conditions for solar panels?
Interestingly, the most blazing hot summer months are not necessarily the best months for solar energy production like you might expect.
In very hot climates, the best months for solar production are May and September. During these months the panels receive the same amount of light but not as much heat as during the mid-summer months. Solar panels can work 20-30% less efficiently in extreme heat.
The surface temperature of solar panels is about 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature, so about 75 degrees outside is the optimal temperature for their production.
How do solar panels work at night?
Here’s a cool solar fact you probably didn’t know!
Solar panels produce a very small amount of energy from the light of the moon on a night that it is particularly bright.
Since solar panels obtain their energy from light, not heat, sometimes the moon is reflecting enough of the sun’s light onto your roof that the system is able to capture some of it’s energy.
Aside from that small amount of production, a residential solar system will continue to power your home throughout the night by using the credit from the excess energy you added to the grid during the day–the process called Net Metering.
It seems like everyone is making the switch to solar energy. It’s a great way to make a positive impact on the environment while also making a good investment for your home!
But what if you don’t have a roof that is compatible with a solar system, or you just don’t like the look of panels on your roof?
Well, that’s where a ground mount might be the right choice!
Ground mounts can be a good alternative to a roof system if you don’t like the look of panels on the roof or there is not enough usable surface area on your roof. Although there is some additional upfront cost associated with a ground mount, in some cases they may end up being a cheaper option in the long run.
There are lots of rumors floating around about whether or not this type of system is a good option for homeowners, so let’s look at some of the pros and cons of ground mounts.
Cons of A Solar ground mount
Additional permitting may be required
Depending on where you live and what your local and neighborhood laws are about zoning, you may have to get approval to build a new structure on your property before moving forward with building a ground mount. This can take a few days or a few months depending on your exact circumstances!
THe upfront cost may be higher
While panels that are installed on the roof are installed directly to the rafters already on your roof, a ground mount will require a new structure to be built to the right specifications for your needs. Because of this, there is some additional upfront cost when compared to a roof solar system.
It takes up space on your land
This may seem obvious but it is certainly a point to consider! You will have to be sure that you have the space on your property to fit a ground mount where it is not going to be in the way or cause any headache down the line. You will likely work closely with your project manager to make sure your ground mount is designed and place exactly as you’d like it to be!
Pros of A SOlar ground mount
The overall cost may be lower than a roof system
This is a big one!
Although there is more upfront cost associated with having a ground mount built, in the long run you will often pay less than you would for a roof system because you likely won’t need as many panels as you would if they were on the roof.
This is because your project manager will work with you to make sure that the ground mount is placed and designed to work as efficiently as possible. With a ground mount you have more freedom to make sure that the panels are not shaded, there are no obstructions, and the panels can be angled to the most optimal position. You don’t get this kind of freedom when designing a roof system which is why you may end up needing more panels in that scenario.
Because of the possibility of optimization that a ground mount offers, you may be able to use fewer panels to produce the same amount of energy that more panels would be needed to produce on your roof.
Fewer panels = lower cost !
They are easier to clean
For the most part, solar panels don’t need to be cleaned very often. But occasionally, something does interfere with the output of a panel and they need to be inspected and/or cleaned. In this case, it can be a bit of a headache to have to get on to your roof or have someone else come out and do so.
With a ground mount, it is much easier to actually take a look at the tops of the panels and see what’s going on!
You never have to worry about moving them
Unfortunately it’s just a fact of life that occasionally roofs need to be replaced or repaired. When this time comes and you have a solar system on your roof, you have to remove the solar panels before the work can be done to the roof. And once it’s over, they have to be replaced.
With a ground mount, you never have to worry about moving the panels if and when something goes awry with your roof. They will be a free-standing system that doesn’t need much attention at all!
You can get creative and start a garden underneath
This is a fun one. A solar ground mount will be a new structure in your yard. Which means, new possibilities! Many homeowners take advantage of the new little ecosystem that is created beneath the ground mount by starting an herb garden. You can get creative and think about what you might do with your space!
Now that you know some of the major pros and cons of getting a solar ground mount, you can be certain that you are happy with your choice to switch your home over to solar power!
If you’re ready to talk to someone about your options for going solar, click here!
When you decide to have solar panels installed, you suddenly start doing a lot more thinking about your roof than you’ve done in the past. Is it flat or pitched, is it metal or shingles, is it covered by trees?! In many cases, during the conversation about solar, homeowners decide to bundle the process of replacing their roof in with their solar panel installation!
So, after going through all this trouble to take care of your roof, you may be wondering, do solar panels protect your roof? Or do they damage it?!
Do solar panels damage the roof?
If your installation is done correctly, solar panels won’t cause any damage to your roof. Although there will be holes drilled into your roof for the attachment, these holes are carefully covered up by moisture-resistant material to ensure that neither the exterior nor the infrastructure of your roof will be damaged.
Will there be holes in my roof after having solar panels installed?
The team who installs your panels will have to drill holes in order to use bolts to attach the panels to the rafters of your home. These holes are then filled with weather-proof material so they are not make sure that your roof will not suffer any damage from the holes.
Do solar panels protect your roof?
To some extent, solar panels do protect your roof. Solar panels act as an additional barrier between your roof and the elements. This includes rain, snow, wind, debris…but also sun exposure. If you have shingles on your roof, the solar panels will protect your roof from the sun bleaching that would normally occur to your shingles.
Although the panels likely will not cover the entire surface area of your roof, the areas that are covered will in fact likely be better off in the long run for having been covered by the panels.
How can you make sure your installation is done correctly?
Make sure that you trust the company you’re working with! Look up reviews online and if possible, talk to other people who have worked with the company to make sure that they were happy with the whole process.
Your best bet is going to be going with a local company whose word-of-mouth reputation is important to them. These are the solar companies that will likely take care of you and your project with integrity and be available to answer questions along the way.
Switching to solar energy is supposed to be helpful to the environment, right? So what’s really going on with residential and commercial solar, do solar panels actually harm wildlife?
Rest assured, you residential solar system is not going to hurt the environment.
Residential solar panels do not harm wildlife when installed properly. Some large-scale solar plants have caused disruptions in the surrounding ecosystems because of the heat produced by the panels, the increased fire risk, and in some cases the water usage. More testing still needs to be done in order to determine the full long-term effect that these plants might have on wildlife.
How can commercial solar plants potentially harm wildlife?
One of the most obvious reasons these plants can cause harm to wildlife is simply due to the fact that in order to create the space to build the plant, some of the ecosystem will be cleared—leaving the resident animals to find a new place to live.
Other factors that could be possibly damaging to the wildlife are noise and light pollution, fire risk, and water consumption. (pollutant spills, electromagnetic field energy field flows)
However, compared to nuclear plants which produce radioactive waste, these potential impacts seem pretty manageable!
Do my residential panels harm wildlife?
Residential solar does not pose any major threat to wildlife. If you live in an area where there are small animals around your house including birds, squirrels, raccoons etc., and depending on the design of your system, it’s possible that these critters might try to burrow under your panels. However, this probably poses more of a problem for you than it does the critters!
You will likely have an option when installing your solar system to have a “critter guard” installed to make sure that no small animals try to help themselves to your panels as their new home. This will keep them safe from getting stuck etc., and it will help to keep the wiring of your system intact and your panels clean for longer!
Is the disposal of solar panels bad for the environment?
We are making leaps and bounds every year with how we recycle the materials (aluminum, silicon, copper.) It’s not a perfect system yet! But considering your panels will be on your roof for the next 30-50 years, it’s highly probable that by the time your panels are ready to be disposed of we’ll have a much more efficient system to recycle them.
When you take the plunge and decide to have solar panels installed on your roof, it’s a big decision! Of course you want to be sure that everything is done the right way and that you’re going to be happy with the way your house looks with the system.
You’ve probably seen some solar systems where the panels are installed in vertical orientation, and others in a horizontal orientation. This might leave you wondering, why are they different and does it matter if solar panels are horizontal or vertical?
The orientation of your solar panels doesn’t affect the production of your system. In the US, panels are generally installed vertically by default unless you have a flat roof which better allows for horizontal panels since they won’t protrude as much.
Let’s dive a little deeper to think about why your solar panel orientation may have been chosen for your home, and why other systems have their own design.
Why are your panels installed in a vertical (portrait) orientation?
Solar panels are mounted to the rafters on your roof using “rails.” Since panels are not as wide as they are tall, it takes fewer rails to install the panels in a vertical orientation than in a horizontal orientation. Less railing means less overall cost!
The slant and size of your roof allow the panels to fit more efficiently with a vertical orientation.
This tends to be the default orientation for many solar installation companies.
Why are your panels installed in a horizontal (landscape) orientation?
You have a flat roof or a roof slanted in a way that if the panels were oriented vertically they would stick up higher than is ideal at their 10-40 degree tilt.
You live in a place where that is the aesthetic norm.
Due to the sun exposure on your roof, a horizontal orientation will be exposed to more light throughout the day and therefore provide you with more energy.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if your solar panels are horizontal or vertical. Your solar system was likely designed to best fit your individual needs and preferences! So, if you’re not happy with the orientation of your panels for any reason, you should talk to your contact with the solar company to find out if they can work with you!
Just keep in mind that the most important thing about your new solar system is that it’s able to do its job in providing your home with energy. So in some cases, changing the recommended orientation of the panels may not be in your best interest.
Panasonic Corporation of North America today announced the Customer Appreciation Awards celebrating its recipients for 2020, and Solar Works energy has taken home some hardware!
The awards program recognizes high-performing installers for solar panel installation and exemplary customer service. New for 2020, the Customer Appreciation Awards also celebrate EverVolt battery installers, whose hard work and commitment has led to an extraordinary year of growth and success in the residential battery storage category.
Panasonic Elite, Premium and Authorized solar panel installers, and EverVolt Certified battery storage installers, are recognized in several award categories across each region: Installer of the Year, which recognizes installers who work on both commercial and residential installations, Residential Installer of the Year, Commercial Installer of the Year, Fastest Growing Installer and Fastest Growing EverVolt ESS Installer.
“This has been an extremely difficult year for companies of all sizes, but it has been an unquestionably challenging time for small businesses,” said Mukesh Sethi, Director, Solar and Energy Storage, Panasonic Life Solutions Company of America, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “We are incredibly thankful to Panasonic’s Elite, Premium, Authorized and EverVolt Certified installers for their fortitude and commend their resilience. It is an honor to recognize our top performers and those installers whose achievements surpassed every expectation in 2020.”
