Whenever you consider adding solar panels to your home, one of the most common questions that comes up is exactly how much it is going to cost. While there is definitely a cost associated with adding a photovoltaic panel array to your home, it is important to consider the different options that you have for payment, as well as the money that you will save on your monthly utility bills.

While there are a wide number of factors that go into determining the overall cost of the solar panel array, most homeowners are who are interested in doing this are able to find a way to help alleviate the cost of buying an array outright. Solar installation is a relatively simple undertaking with a rather complex technology backing it up. As a result, there is a certain level of care that solar installers must take with sizing and installing a solar power system for your home. When getting started with a new solar panel installation project, you will first need to determine the total amount of electricity that you use on average. You will then need to decide how much of that electricity you want to come from your solar panels. The installation crew will then use this information to choose appropriately sized panels to complete your solar panel installation.

So How Much Will It Cost?

Without knowing more about your specific situation, it is difficult to tell exactly how much adding a solar power system to your home will cost. Your best bet is to get in touch with a solar installer in your area to discuss costs for your particular installation. Whenever it comes to payment, however, keep in mind that you have many different options available. You can find extensive information on our solar power info website regarding solar leasing, which has quickly become one of the most popular ways to pay for solar panels. With this method, you lease the system for a monthly, but keep all of the power that is generated. This typically results in a net gain for the consumer.

When is it Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Work?

You can't see the electrical wiring in your home, but it’s integral to your day-to-day life. The electrical work behind your walls is responsible for lighting your home, powering your microwave and electric stove, running the air conditioning and so much more. So while your electrical work might be out of sight and out of mind, you'll definitely notice if something goes wrong. That's why you should prevent electrical problems before they start by evaluating your wiring and planning upgrades if your system turns out to be damaged, out-of-date, dangerous or otherwise not up to the standard required for modern homes.

Update Outdated or Dangerous Wiring

There are a number of reasons why your electrical work could be in need of an update. One of the most important, and potentially most expensive, is if you have an outdated wiring system running through your home. Homes built in the 1970s or earlier could have aluminum wiring, or even worse, knob and tube wiring – neither of which was designed to carry the amount of electricity necessary for today's households. If you have one of these systems in your home, you might be able to increase your home’s electrical capacity and improve its safety by replacing that infrastructure with modern copper wiring.

Even if you have a modern wiring system, problems like corrosion or damaged wiring may be undetected and worsening. That's a serious hazard hidden in your walls that you might not know about until it's too late. There could also be other dangers in your electrical work, like shoddy connections in your circuit box, too many outlets on a circuit, or a lack of proper grounding.

Look for Expert Guidance

If your electrical work seems like it's performing fine for now, that doesn’t mean there’s no reason to check it out. First and foremost, old wiring puts you at increased risk of an electric fire, which is a risk to both your property and your life. Furthermore, many home insurance agencies won't issue you coverage, or will charge increased premiums, if there is outdated electrical work. Old wiring also may not be up to your municipality's current local building code. Although existing homes are generally grandfathered into compliance if they don't meet new standards, you may be required to make updates to bring the system up to code if you perform any electrical work on your home in the future.

Properly evaluating the safety of a home electrical system is beyond the ability of most homeowners, let alone performing major upgrades like rewiring the home. If you have any doubts about the age or status of your home electrical work, call a qualified electrician today to advise you and make any necessary updates or repairs.