Have you just had solar panels installed in your home? You may be feeling great about taking the first step towards a greener future. But when it comes to “What should I do now?”, you might feel lost. After all, there are so many different actions that can be taken — but only so many hours in a day. That’s why we’ve put together our list of things to do after solar panel installation.
Keep The Inverter On A Regular Maintenance Schedule
The inverter is the brain of the solar panel system. It converts energy from the sun into useable electricity for your home or business. As with all electronic equipment, inverters require regular maintenance. We recommend that you have your inverter serviced on an annual basis by a qualified electrician or solar installer.
Your solar installer should have provided you with a maintenance and inspection schedule for your panels. You should aim to get your system inspected at least once per year. This will ensure that your solar panels are running efficiently, and allow you to spot potential energy-saving they become serious problems.
Be Careful Not To Put Pressure On Your Roof
It’s important that you don’t damage your solar panels by inadvertently putting pressure on them when walking around on the roof. Although most systems are designed to withstand reasonable weight and pressure, there’s always some risk of damaging the panels or racking if they’re stepped on or covered in snow or heavy debris (e.g., tree branches). Most importantly, if you’re ever considering walking around your roof, make sure you take every safety precaution possible!
You may be used to walking on your roof, but when it comes to solar panels, it’s best to walk around them rather than across them whenever possible. The more pressure you put on the panels, the more likely you are to damage them.
Monitor Your Electricity Consumption Carefully
If you’re like most people, once you get your solar panels installed, you’ll want to start looking for ways to reduce your electricity consumption even further. The best way to do this is to closely monitor how much electricity you use each day. This will help you identify energy-hogging habits so you can take steps to reduce them in the future.
Check The Settings On Your Meter
If you’ve just had solar panels installed, take a look at the settings on your meter to make sure everything is correct. If there are any problems with your meter, it’s important to contact your utility company or installer immediately.
Be sure to check that your meter is properly recording how much energy you’re producing and feeding back into the grid (if you have net metering). Your energy production may vary from month to month, so you want to be sure that your meter is configured correctly.
Encourage Friends And Family To Go Solar Too!
If you’re happy with your solar panel installation, why not refer a friend? The McLean Energy Solutions team is made up of highly knowledgeable and friendly staff. We provide energy-saving solutions and install solar panels for homeowners and are dedicated to working with anyone to find the solutions that best fit their energy needs.
Take Advantage of Perks and Incentives
Solar panels are a long-term investment that can save you money for decades to come, but there are also some great short-term incentives. If you are receiving any state or federal incentives for your solar panel installation, make sure you understand the terms of those incentives and how they will be applied to your situation. Many cities and states offer their rebates, grants, and incentives in addition to the federal tax credit.
Consider Adding Battery Storage
As solar technology becomes more popular, batteries are becoming cheaper and more efficient. If you don’t already have battery storage included in your solar energy system, consider adding one after installation. Batteries store excess energy produced during peak daylight hours so you can use it later when sunlight is less available.
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
If you want to get the most out of your new solar-powered home, it pays to focus on making your home more energy-efficient. Now that you have an alternative source of power generation, it makes more sense than ever before to invest in energy-efficient appliances and strategies for reducing the amount of electricity your home consumes each day.
