You are quite handy with tools; you repair pretty much everything around the house when it breaks; you’ve got your own DIY projects going on in the garage or the basement. And now, you’re thinking about installing a solar system all by yourself. After all, how hard can it be, right?
Well, installing solar systems in New Jersey is not about difficulty but the quality of the outcome. The quality of your solar installation determines how much benefit you can extract from it, and the installation quality is determined by the expertise and experience of the installers. Here are some of the things you must consider when installing a solar panel system for your house.
- System Design
Your home solar system’s design is based on two factors – your average monthly power consumption and roof area (that’s where most installations are done).
An expert solar installer also offers professional advice on reducing your power consumption and installing a smaller and less expensive solar system to meet your power needs.
- Roofing
If your roof is old and/or not strong enough, then we may need to redo your roof before installation. You don’t want to install a solar system on a roof that you’d be redoing in a few years, as that can prove to be too expensive and even damage the solar panels in the process.
- Electrical Systems Setup
Depending on your location, you may have to be a certified electrician to install your solar system’s electrical systems. There’s also interconnection with the grid, which requires specialized knowledge and expertise. The smallest things can go wrong and lead to rejection of permit by the state government, or worse, a major electrical mishap.
- Equipment
To get the most out of your solar system, you must purchase and install the best-in-class equipment. Choosing the right brands and right products is not easy for someone who’s not in tune with the industry developments. But, yes, you can get this information with thorough research online.
- Permits and Compliance
This is where the bulk of your energy will be spent. Your solar installation requires multiple permits from the state government. And, that can take months, even when your paperwork is flawless. For a DIYer, it can quickly turn into a frustrating experience.
- Safety
Solar contractors following the strict guidelines brought forth by OSHA. Being on a roof without safety precautions such as a harness can be quite dangerous. Even for the qualified contractor, it can still be dangerous. In fact, in 2019 alone, 111 roofers perished from fall related injuries. https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/95175-bls-report-shows-roofing-fatalities-up-by-15-in-2019
The possibility of saving a few dollars on labor is not worth your life!
On top of it, your fully installed solar system will be inspected by an expert. To avoid giving them any reason to reject your application, it’s best to leave these tasks to the professionals who have installed hundreds of such systems.
It’s Smart to Ask an Expert
You can go ahead and install your own solar system. However, you must brace yourself for a lot of groundwork, paperwork, and manual labor. And when everything is done, things can still go wrong – be it in the form of a rejected application or a poorly performing solar installation.
So, hire a professional New Jersey solar company.