Best solar panel pros near Whitewood, SD

Yes, you should tell your home insurance company about your solar panels. Even if you believe they’re covered by your existing policy, installing a solar panel system is a significant change to your home. This can affect coverage and premiums. By discussing your new solar panel installation with your insurance provider, you can be sure you have enough coverage and that the policy completely covers the panels against damage.

You can install solar panels on a flat or pitched roof, but keep in mind that they will need to rest at a 30- to 50-degree tilt for optimal sun absorption. It costs more to install solar panels on a flat roof because you will need to install a framing system and likely hire a structural engineer. If your roof has a pitch of more than 40 degrees, it may not be a good candidate for solar panels.

Rooftop solar panels supply energy to a single household, where a solar farm can power multiple homes at once with clean energy. Residential rooftop solar panels cost more per watt with a lower project total, and those panels only service the residence they are installed on (in most circumstances). With a solar farm, multiple households can buy into the project and share the overall cost.

If you’re deciding between a solar battery versus a generator for the best backup power solution, you can take a few factors into consideration. Solar batteries are quiet while generators can be quite loud. Generators have a lower up-front cost, but they require fuel and ongoing maintenance while solar batteries are more expensive but don’t have many ongoing costs.