Is Your Home Solar-Ready? What to Check Before You Buy
Solar panels are a great investment — but only if your home is set up for success. Before you sign anything, here's what every homeowner should evaluate.
Roof condition is the first thing to assess. Solar panels last 25–30 years. If your roof needs replacement in 5–10 years, it makes sense to re-roof before installing panels — removing and reinstalling them later adds significant cost.
Roof orientation and shading matter enormously. South-facing roofs in the northern hemisphere get the most sun exposure. Even partial shading from trees or chimneys can reduce system output by 20–40% if not properly accounted for in the system design.
Your electrical panel may need an upgrade. Most solar installations require a 200-amp panel. If you have an older 100-amp panel, budget an additional $1,500–$3,000 for the upgrade.
Reduce your load before you size your system. Every kilowatt-hour you eliminate through efficiency improvements is a kilowatt-hour you don't need to generate. An energy audit before going solar can reduce your required system size — and your upfront cost — significantly.
Reducing your home's energy use by 20% before installing solar can shrink your required system size by the same amount — saving thousands on installation.
- Get a roof inspection before any solar quotes
- Use a shading analysis tool or ask your installer for a solar pathfinder report
- Check your panel capacity — 200 amps is the modern standard
- Do an energy audit first to right-size your solar investment
See This in Your Home
Get a personalized audit summary that shows exactly where your home is losing energy.
Get Free Audit Summary