How to Build a Solar Home
With prices of fossil fuel increasing rapidly, people have started switching to alternative power generation sources. If you also want to switch to an alternate energy source and your home is still in the design stage, it is recommended to include solar energy features in the design and install them at the time of construction. Installing solar panels may be a little expensive, but it offers a number of financial incentives – noticeable reduction in monthly bill being at the top of the list. However, you need to take care of a few things when building a solar home. Position your house in a way that it receives the most energy from the sun. Continue reading to know what other things you need to keep in mind.
Find out solar zoning regulations for your territory
Every province/territory has its own Solar Zoning Regulations. Contact your local government to know the necessary requirements for building a solar home in your territory. Also find out if there are any restrictions for power generation on private properties in your area, if not, find out the regulations for connecting your solar plant to the local energy grid.
Get your plan approved
Sketch the overall design of your solar home and have it approved from the local government. Some solar house plans get rejected just because they do not match aesthetically with the neighbourhood. So make sure your solar house design goes well with the existing houses in the area.
Install photovoltaic solar panels on roof
The best place to install photovoltaic solar panels is the roof of your home, since it gets the maximum amount of sunlight almost throughout the day.
Connect your photovoltaic system to the local energy grid
After having installed the photovoltaic solar panels on the roof, connect them to the local energy grid. Connecting the photovoltaic system to the local power grid is a complex process, for which you will need the services of professionals. Locate and hire custom solar house builders in your area. Hire one who has direct experience of constructing different types of solar houses in your area.
Supplement your home’s features with solar collectors
One of the best ways to utilize solar energy is to supplement the central heating system with the photovoltaic panels on the roof. You can also reduce the cost for domestic hot water by connecting your storage tank with the solar collectors on the roof.
