Why You Should Add Solar Panels to Your Garage and Garden Shed

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Solar power has become increasingly popular among homeowners. Many are looking to reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprint. It's common for most to install solar panels on their roofs. There is another often-overlooked area where solar panels can be installed. It's in your garage and garden shed.

Having them in your garage or garden shed offers tons of benefits aside from making them accessible to you. Are you ready to find out everything about installing solar panels in your garage and garden shed? Read on.

The Advantages of Solar Panels for Your Garage and Garden Shed

There are several compelling reasons to consider adding solar panels to your garage and garden shed. Here are some of them to help you decide.

Lower Energy Bills

Installing solar panels in your garage and garden shed has the potential to lower your energy bills. You can generate your own electricity and reduce your reliance on the grid. You get to enjoy significant savings over time. This especially applies if you reside in an area with high electricity rates.

The amount of energy savings you can achieve with solar panels largely depends on various factors. This may include location, the size of your solar panel system, and your household's energy consumption. Generally, a more extensive solar panel system will generate more electricity and offer greater savings. However, larger solar panel systems also come with a higher upfront cost.

It's hard to predict accurate energy savings since you also have to factor in weather and season. However, it's safe to expect a reduction in their monthly energy bills of 10-20% with an appropriately sized solar panel system.

Solar panels can also provide a hedge against rising electricity costs. Electricity rates are highly likely to continue increasing over time. With your solar panel system in place, you're protected from these price hikes by having your own renewable source of energy. This can provide peace of mind for homeowners who are concerned about the rising costs of traditional energy sources. Depending on your location, expect to enjoy savings of at least $20,000 to $97,000.

Better Energy Independence

Solar panels can also provide peace of mind for homeowners who rely on electricity for critical equipment. Since your electrical system connects to a solar panel, power cuts are one less thing to worry about. Your equipment will remain operational even during power outages.

These renewable energy sources reduce your dependence on fossil fuels. Eventually, you can lead a more sustainable way of living.

More Environmental Benefits

Speaking of sustainability, solar panels also afford significant environmental advantages. Solar power produces zero emissions. They also reduce the demand for traditional sources of energy. These non-renewable resources contribute to environmental damage. Each home can contribute to protecting the environment  in their own little ways.

Solar panels lower the urban heat island effect. Large amounts of concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat in densely populated urban areas. This is why it's often hotter in more industrialized cities.

By installing solar panels in your garage and garden shed, you reduce the amount of heat absorbed and radiated by these surfaces. This results in a cool surrounding environment and lower energy required to maintain comfortable temperatures indoors.

Increased Property Value

Solar panels can also increase the value of your property. Did you know that homes with solar panels sold for an average of 4.1% more? Installing solar panels in your garage and garden shed can potentially boost your property value. It will make your home more appealing to prospective buyers.

Note that more and more people are now investing in sustainable homes. When you list your home on the market with all these solar panel solar installations, expect potential homebuyers to pay more. You get a good return on investment since you can negotiate prices better.

Growing Use of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicle (EV) popularity is increasing. If you're among those who plan to convert to using an EV, solar panel installation in your garage is a must.

Installing solar panels in your garage allows you to power your EV with renewable energy. You get more miles for less money and get to fully contribute to sustainable mobility.

Since you're going to add them to your garage, you also have to shell out less money for the installation since it’s right where you park your car.

Additional Source of Income

One way to generate income from solar panels is through net metering programs. Net metering allows homeowners with solar panels to send excess energy back to the grid and receive credit for it on their utility bill.

When you generate more electricity than you need, you get a bill credit. Alternatively, you can sell any excess energy to the grid at a higher rate.

You can also generate more income from solar panels through solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). SRECs are tradable certificates that represent the environmental benefits of generating solar power. When your solar panels generate a certain amount of electricity, you can earn an SREC to sell in the open market. SRECs are typically sold to utilities required to purchase a certain amount of renewable energy to meet state or local standards.

If you have neighbors with EVs, you can also charge their vehicles for a fee.

Better Use of Space

Installing solar panels in your garage and garden shed allows you to make better use of your outdoor space. Instead of leaving these structures unused, you can turn them into valuable energy-generating assets. This can be particularly appealing if you have limited roof space or other constraints that make rooftop solar panels impractical.

Considerations for Installation of Garage and Garden Shed Solar Panels

Before adding solar panels to your garage and garden shed, keep in mind these considerations.

Building Location

The location of your garage or shed determines the amount of sunlight your solar panels receive. It's also critical for energy generation efficiency.

Make sure that the location receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day. Remember, solar panels get electricity by converting sunlight into energy. So the more sunlight they receive, the more electricity they will produce.

Ideally, your garage or garden shed should be in an open area. It should be free from blockage from trees and other buildings. Make sure it receives direct sunlight for most of the day, especially in the morning until high noon.

Also, consider the orientation and angle of the roof. Solar panels absorb energy best when they are installed on a south-facing roof with a 30-degree slope. This orientation and angle help maximize the amount of sunlight that the solar panels receive. In turn, this maximizes their efficiency and electricity output.

Take into account the size and slope of your garage or garden shed roof when choosing a location for solar panel installation. Solar panels are most commonly installed on rooftops. However, they can also be put on your garden sheds and garage.

The roof size and slope impact the number of solar panels that can be installed and their efficiency. A larger roof will allow for more solar panels to be installed. However, a steeper slope may require additional mounting equipment to install the solar panels securely.

Garage and Garden Shed Size

Another important consideration is the size of your garage and garden shed. In general, larger structures will be able to accommodate more solar panels.

Don’t forget to verify if the weight of the solar panels doesn't exceed the load-bearing capacity of your garage or shed’s structure. A solar panel installer can help determine the appropriate number and size of panels for your garage and garden shed.

Roofing Design

The design of your garage and garden shed roofing is also an important factor to consider. Solar panels are typically installed on pitched roofs, which are more common in garages than garden sheds.

However, flat roofs can also work well with specially designed solar panel mounting systems. It's essential to choose a roofing design that can support the weight of the panels. You'd want to ensure your current roofing provides a secure and stable base for installation. For safety and accuracy, work with a solar roofing contractor. They are more adept at installing solar panels in homes, whether it be in the garage or garden sheds.

Key Takeaways

Adding solar panels to your garage and garden shed can be a smart and environmentally friendly investment that can provide many benefits for years to come. Solar panels can be an excellent solution for whatever purpose. Be it for reducing your energy bills or simply using your outdoor space better.

• Adding solar panels to your garage and garden shed can provide many advantages.
• Work with a qualified and experienced solar panel installer when considering solar panel installation.
• Consider garage and garden shed location, size, and roofing design when installing solar panels.
• Factor in the weight of solar panels to ensure that it doesn't go over the structure's load capacity.
• Before starting your solar panel installation, local regulations and permit requirements must be checked.