In the serious business of power conservation, certain measures can help you cut your usage down to what you really need. As noted by Kevin Tofel of the information technology news portal Gigaom:
Just over a year ago, we took the plunge at my house and covered the back roof with solar panels: 41 of them, to be exact. After 12 months, we’ve created 13.8 megawatt hours of electricity while using only 7.59 megawatt hours. The energy surplus becomes a credit on our electric bill and once per year, our electric company issues us a check for any unused credit. So what was the installation and usage experience like? Overall, it’s been excellent and I’ll share the pros, cons, and actual costs of our project in an effort to shed more light on any solar panel projects you might be considering.
New Jerseyans can practically “see the light” in determining the potential benefits of solar energy; after all, the state government and the Energy Department already have a wide variety of incentives for solar power users. The Solar Energy Industry Association reports that in 2012, solar units in the state generated enough power for nearly 140,000 houses. If you are interested in easing your energy bills but still have your house well-protected up top, expert roofers in NJ like Up and Above Contractors LLC will have your bases covered.
The initial stage of the project calls for assessing the roof’s capability to be equipped with options such as solar shingles. A roofing professional most knowledgeable in solar options is your best bet; he will inspect the entire surface for any damage that will compromise the system and provide you with a free quote. The latter is essential because a solar roof relies on mountings installed atop the existing roofing system.
The slope of the roof is also vital; if it is mostly facing east, for example, adequate planning enables the power to be collected starting at daybreak. You can then rely on the local grid later in the day. Trim any surrounding trees to ensure that no shadows will eclipse the panels.
Solar roofing is always a win-win situation if you are willing to give it your best shot. When you have it done with help from reputable roofers in Sparta, NJ like Up and Above, you do your part for the environment as well.
(Article Excerpt and Image from One year with solar energy at home: Mostly sunny!, Gigaom)