Solar Installation Research & Planning

The first step in your home solar installation is research and planning. You will need to set goals based on your situation, budget, and energy generation priorities. You will likely want to claim all available incentives, seek financing, and choose the most cost-effective solar installation plan. From there, you and your solar installers can put together the best solar panel system for your home, budget, and project conditions.

What Are Your Solar Energy Goals?

When installing solar panels on your home, the most important deciding factor is your energy goals. Do you:

The conditions of your property may also shape your goals. Those with limited roof space might aim to generate as much solar as possible, which could lead to high-end and more efficient panels. Those in a region with poor net metering or buyback options may want batteries to maximize energy savings. If you have a strict budget, your goal may be to get the most solar energy you can within that limit.

Set your goals before you begin your solar panel system planning. This clear goal will help you focus your research and shape your system design.

Research Solar Energy Incentives

You'll get the best value by taking full advantage of available energy incentives. There are federal, state, and often local incentive programs for residential solar panel installation. Accessing all of them will help you save on the cost and may shape your decisions based on what is incentivized.

Local solar companies are often fully informed on the latest incentives available to homeowners in your area. Have questions ready for them and document all your possible incentive options when you start talking to solar reps.

Solar Panel Financing Options

Like any major home upgrade, you can also finance your solar panel system installation. In addition to incentives and tax credits, you can look for local financing options. Some banks and lenders may also have programs available for solar installations, or you can fall back on loans that are designed for home renovations.

Be sure to collect several financing options, comparing the interest, fees, and total amount you can finance.

Should I Buy or Rent My Panels?

Leasing vs buying solar panels are very different plans.

Buying solar panels is almost always better for homeowners. This will allow you to increase your home value and get nearly "free" energy by the end, as most solar panels outlast their loan payoffs by many years.

Leasing solar panels will remove the up-front cost and the long-term profits at the same time. Often solar leasing deals involve buying your own generated energy at a reduced cost.

A third option is a $0 down solar purchase with financing plans that offer comfortable monthly payments. Many of our solar installation partners offer this kind of deal in order to make buying panels feel a lot more like leasing but financially much smarter in the long run.

Efficiently Research Solar Providers

If the research & planning stage feels overwhelming, start talking to solar companies as soon as possible! An experienced solar rep can easily answer these questions and a lot more. But don't take on a whole other research project trying to find, compare, and reach out to individual solar installers - that's the slow way.

The efficient way is to fill out a single Get Started form that connects you to multiple companies in your area and have them reach out to YOU, saving you time and stress. If you have general questions, then AskSolar's Energy Advocates are here to answer your solar questions and help determine your unique needs for free. Contact us to discuss your vision of the perfect solar, the incentives available in your area, and the possible solar panel system designs that will work best for your home.

We are NOT a solar installer, so you'll get unbiased information from us. We are here to help homeowners design optimal solar panel systems and connect with the best local solar installers for the job.