The promise of cheap, clean, renewable and environmentally friendly electricity is making residential solar power increasingly more and more popular. By installing residential solar power, you can save money as you feed electrical power into your home without damaging the wellbeing of the planet. However, it is useful to think seriously about certain things before you rush into installing your own residential solar power system.

Yes, over time you will end up with years and years of free electricity. Yes, you will not be contributing to global warming, but you do need to address some really important questions before you jump on in there.

On average, after government subsidies and grants and the likes, the average residential solar power system will take between 7 and 10 years to pay back the cost of installation. So, if installing residential solar power, you would do well to question whether you intend on staying there for that long. It’s not the best idea to gather up the solar panels from your residential solar power system and seek to take them with you should you move home.

On average, after government subsidies and grants and the likes, the average residential solar power system will take between 7 and 10 years to pay back the cost of installation. So, if installing residential solar power, you would do well to question whether you intend on staying there for that long. It’s not the best idea to gather up the solar panels from your residential solar power system and seek to take them with you should you move home.

So, if a residential solar power system is your thing, you would do well to stay in your home long enough to see out the payback time involved in its installation. A good idea would be to calculate your savings per annum from the panels. Ask yourself, “How many years would I have to use them for before they start to pay for themselves?”

If the answer seems favorable, consider whether you have enough currently unutilized space available on your roof or in your garden to place the solar panels. Obviously you have to position the panels strategically so they get maximum exposure to the sun. A minimum of 6 hours per day is required. Obviously direct sunshine is best, but some houses have trees surrounding them. Even worst, those trees may belong to neighbors, in which case you would have little or no jurisdiction over them.

The angle, or pitch, of your roof is all important. There is an optimal angling that the roof needs to be to get the maximum benefit from the sun’s rays as it tracks across the horizon. If you are planning on taking this on as a do-it-yourself style job, it may be that you might need some advice on this.

You will certainly also need assistance on the electrics (assuming you are not a qualified electrician yourself.) Bare in mind before making too many plans that if you have vertigo or fear of heights, this would be an excruciating experience best delegated to another. There will be long periods of time on the roof and much scaling of ladders and across guttering. If this gives you any concerns, you would do well to hire a professional or two to take on that aspect of the job.

Take some time and effort to research solar panel manufacturers and suppliers. You can obtain the necessary supplies for your residential solar power system from a number of places. Check out the Yellow Pages for residential solar power retailers. Get on the phone to each of them and interview them individually. You want to find out the length and level of their experience specifically in installing residential solar power systems. Simply ‘being an electrician’, and ‘being an electrician who has experience in installing residential solar power systems’ are more often than not two very different things.

If you are going to install your own residential solar power system, select a retailer who offers good telephone support so you can get help and advice if something goes wrong. I would expect at least one thing to go wrong in matters such as this.

Be sure to absorb all the finer details within the instructions before choosing which your residential solar power system you want to buy. Ideally you should look for one that is easy to install.

If you’re buying your residential solar power system from a retailer online then take into account how they are planning on shipping it to you. Are they insured? Do the retailers have a glowing record of excellent customer service? Are there any additional taxes to pay? Is the product guaranteed? If the panels are coming from abroad (many panels are made in China and Germany) ensure the shipping is taking care of all matters relating to customs and that the price is inclusive of all these things. Finally, be sure to check out the return policy. If it were to arrive as broken goods, you want to know you are covered to get a replacement quickly.

It is always good to prepare well before taking on major jobs like this. You will be amazed how much more peace of mind you will enjoy simply by doing this pre-planning well in advance.

Whether doing it all yourself, getting a professional team in or doing bits yourself and getting specialists in for the highly skilled aspects, you would do well to re-read these top tips on how to install your residential solar power system. You may think that scrimping and saving on the costs would be worthwhile, but it may cost you a lot more in the long run if you try to cut corners or go cheap on the deal. Remember, it is unlikely that it will take more than 10 years and after that all your electricity is free!