If you are in the market for a new home and you’re interested in adding a solar array, there are some things that you’ll want to keep in mind as you visit perspective homes. Properly evaluating homes before you buy can save you money and headaches later.
First, research the available subsidies. The Federal Government offers a generous tax credit on solar arrays installed after the beginning of 2009 and it is applicable anywhere in the US. Subsidies offered by states and utilities vary from absolutely nothing to very generous amounts (sometimes as much as half of the installed cost of the system). In particular, pay attention to what subsidies different utilities in your state offer. Some may be generous, others stingy. Find out which utility serves the property you’re considering buying.
Location, Location, Location. You’ve heard the expression that in real estate it’s all about location, location, location. That’s basically true in solar arrays too. The siting of the array can have a huge impact on how well it can turn sunshine to electricity. When you’re walking around the outside of a property examine the orientation of the roof. Is there a good south facing region of the roof that could accommodate an array? Is there a lot of shading on the roof from 9 am to 3 pm? If so, the roof is a poor candidate for placing an array. If you can eliminate the shading you’ll be OK, but if neighbors’ trees or power lines are the culprits then you’re likely out of luck.
Is the property in a covenant controlled development? If so, you might run into restriction to what you can put up on your roof. If the HOA forbids solar arrays or would require you to locate the array in an undesirable location (a north facing roof section, for example) then you should consider a different property. Some states, like California, protect home owners who wish to install a solar array from cosmetic objections. However, in many states these issues haven’t been addressed yet and you don’t want to be the guinea pig.
Finally, look up a number of local installers and interview them. Finding the right installer is critical to the entire process. Do your homework before you jump in to the project.
