Is a solar electric system right for you and your home? The following can help you decide. You may also wish to visit our Solar Calculator, which helps you analyze alternatives related to the purchase and installation of a solar electric system.

What is the right location for my system?

A well-designed solar electric system needs clear, year-round, unobstructed exposure to the sun’s rays for most or all of the day. Trees, roof gables, chimneys, buildings and other features of a home or landscape may block the modules from the sun and should be avoided. You can make an initial assessment, then your installation contractor can use a solar path-finder to track the sun’s path and confirm whether a solar electric system is suitable for your home.

System orientation (the compass direction a system faces) affects performance as well. In New Jersey, the sun is always in the southern half of the sky, and is higher in summer than in winter. A south-facing roof is usually best, but those facing east or west can also be good candidates. Flat roofs work well because modules can be mounted flat, facing the sky, or on frames tilted toward the south at an angle. If a rooftop installation is not feasible, solar modules can be mounted on poles or on the ground.

How much space is needed for my system?

Mounting space required for a system is based on its physical size and efficiency level. Most residential systems need from 50 sq. ft. (for a small “starter” system) up to as much as 1,000 sq. ft. of mounting area. A typical one-kilowatt (kW) system would occupy from 80 to 300 sq. ft., depending on the type and efficiency of the modules.

Efficiency and Size: Modules are available in a range of materials and efficiencies. If your location limits the physical size of the system, you may want to install modules that are higher in efficiency and require less surface area to convert sunlight to electricity. Talk to your installation contractor about different types of modules, their cost, and how much area various systems would cover. The table below shows typical roof-area requirements for numerous system sizes and module efficiencies.

Will the type or condition of my roof affect system installation?

A solar electric system can be installed on any type of roof, although some are simpler and less costly to work with. Typically, composition shingles are easiest to work with, and slate is the most difficult. An experienced installation contractor should be familiar with all roof types and the installation techniques required to maintain roof integrity. Be sure you ask the contractor how the system will affect your roof warranty.

If your roof will need to be replaced in the near future, you may want to replace it at the same time the solar electric system is installed, so you can avoid a later cost of removing and reinstalling the system. Alternatively, modules that can be integrated into the roof itself are also available. Typical roofing products for this purpose are three-tab shingles, slate, or standing-seam metal roofs. Installation of integrated solar electric modules can even offset the cost of such roofing materials!