| Many people have the misconception that solar | | | | your roof will determine whether or not you can |
| power is a relatively new concept in modern | | | | use the existing roof tile tracks that keep the |
| science. While it's true that solar energy has not | | | | solar panels attached. Chances are, you will have |
| been widely available for private use until recently, | | | | best results from your new installation if you |
| it has been used for decades in many applications. | | | | uninstall the old roof tile tracks and use the ones |
| Believe it or not, the first solar home was built in | | | | deemed appropriate for your new panels. You |
| 1939 by MIT. The experimental house was | | | | may find yourself paying a little extra to ensure |
| designed to provide solar thermal heating | | | | the old brace attachments are securely sealed |
| throughout the home, and it proved successful! | | | | and leak-proof before they install the new tile |
| The first privately available solar panels became | | | | tracks. |
| widely available in the early 1990s. These panels | | | | For many new systems, your old inverter might |
| were simple mono-crystalline panels that had low | | | | work as long as your voltage output doesn't |
| efficiency and did not promise 20-25 years of | | | | exceed your inverter's max input. Some solar |
| reliable service. Instead, these panels lasted | | | | companies may offer a nice discount on a new |
| maybe 15 years at most and only covered about | | | | inverter if you're buying a solar package though, |
| 25-50% of the average home's energy needs. | | | | so weigh your options carefully. The same goes |
| Today, many homes that purchased these first | | | | for your batteries. If your specifications match |
| panels need solar panel replacement. Luckily, with | | | | your old system then you can probably keep |
| new technology, they will be able to keep their | | | | using your old equipment with your new system. |
| panels almost twice as long and maybe even get | | | | You'll be surprised at the efficiency of the new |
| 90-100% of their electric needs from their new | | | | solar panels. Chances are, your electric bill will |
| solar panels. | | | | lower dramatically, as the efficiency of the new |
| The very first thing any homeowner with solar | | | | models has skyrocketed in the past few years. If |
| panels should do is to assess whether or not they | | | | you're a net-metering participant, you'll also see |
| should replace the roof when they replace the | | | | your earnings increase in the kWh you produce |
| panels. If this wasn't completed the first time | | | | for your grid. Finally, replacing old panels is a great |
| around then it's probably time to replace the roof | | | | way to continue your positive impact on the |
| this time. This actually makes the installation | | | | environment. The initial cost of a new solar |
| process very easy and is the best way to ensure | | | | system may seem a bit much when compared to |
| there are no leaks. If your roof isn't ready to be | | | | your old system, but it won't be as bad as a |
| replaced, then installation is a bit trickier. | | | | full-sized electric bill every month! |
| Depending on how long the panels have been on | | | | |