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Residential and Commercial Solar System Design & Consultation in Your Area

At Strive Solar, we offer comprehensive solar system design and consultation services in your location to help our customers successfully complete their residential or commercial solar projects.

Our team of in-house engineers and experts will work with you to gather all project requirements, assess factors such as energy use and roof or property site, compare different solar panel systems, and develop a final plan that includes a site plan, electrical specifications and wiring diagram, engineering calculations, product specifications, purchase order and materials list. Everything you need to get going in your neighborhood.

Optional services include review and stamps from electrical or structural engineers. Contact us today for a free solar design with our solar kits of 5 kW or greater, helping customers in avoid mistakes and make informed decisions regarding system size and layout.

Residential and Commercial Solar Systems in Your Town – What Do We Design and Consult on?

Solar panel technician doing a Solar System Design & Consultation

Regarding residential solar systems in your area, the goal is usually to generate enough electricity to power the entire household. This requires us to design and consult on assessing the energy consumption patterns and needs of the occupants. Factors such as roof orientation, available space for solar panels, shading from nearby trees or buildings, and local weather conditions play vital roles in determining the system’s performance as well.

Let’s consider two hypothetical scenarios to illustrate this point of what solar design entails:

  • In Scenario A, a homeowner resides in an area with abundant sunlight and has an unobstructed south-facing roof. This ideal condition allows for maximum energy generation throughout the day, enabling them to meet all their electricity needs through solar power potentially.
  • In Scenario B, another homeowner lives in an older neighborhood with more shaded areas due to surrounding tall buildings or trees. Here, careful consideration needs to be given to panel placement, alternative locations on the property, or using advanced technologies like microinverters or power optimizers that mitigate the impact of shading.

For commercial solar systems, additional factors come into play. Businesses operate differently than residences and often have higher energy demands. Therefore, analyzing historical energy usage data becomes crucial to designing a sufficiently sized system. Other considerations include roof load capacity for larger arrays, electrical infrastructure upgrades if required, and potential integration with existing backup power systems.

Consider a hotel in your area that is interested on switching to solar energy. They not only need to account for their current electrical consumption but also anticipate future growth and increased power demands from amenities such as spas or additional rooms added over time.

While both residential and commercial systems reap financial benefits through energy savings and potential government incentives, the process of designing and installing a solar system requires professional expertise to maximize efficiency and ensure long-term success.

  • According to a report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency in 2020, the demand for solar energy system design and consultation has surged up by more than 72% during the last five years.
  • A study from Solar Power World showed that nearly 85% of U.S homes could benefit from installing a solar panel system after a thorough design and consultation process.
  • Based on data from Aurora Solar, 94% of solar providers believe that accurate solar design software accelerates their sales process; hence the importance of specialized consultation services in this industry

Analyzing Your Property & Location

Before embarking on your renewable energy journey, it is crucial for us to conduct a thorough analysis of your property and its overall scope. This step is essential to determine the feasibility and optimize the design of your solar system.

Let’s imagine you are a homeowner considering installing a solar system on your roof. The first aspect to assess is the orientation and pitch of your roof.

South-facing roofs with minimal shading tend to yield the highest solar electricity outputHowever, east or west-facing roofs can still be viable due to all of the sun we tend to get in our state.

Another critical factor in analyzing your property is considering any obstacles that may cast shadows on your solar panels.

  • Tall trees
  • Neighboring buildings or even chimneys can affect panel performance by blocking direct sunlight.

It is necessary to evaluate these obstructions throughout the day and year to determine the ideal placement for maximum energy generation.

In addition to physical features, understanding local weather patterns plays a crucial role in designing an efficient solar system. From a larger US perspective, solar irradiation levels vary regionally due to factors such as latitude, altitude, and cloud coverage. By assessing historical weather data and annual averages, you can estimate the amount of solar energy available for conversion into electricity.

Moreover, it is important to consider any local regulations or permitting requirements related to solar panel installations. Some areas in your city may have specific guidelines regarding setbacks from property lines or aesthetic considerations that need to be taken into account during the design phase.

By thoroughly analyzing your property’s characteristics and understanding its location-specific attributes, you can make informed decisions about the best approach for harnessing solar energy effectively.

Choosing the Right Solar System for You in Your Town

When it comes to choosing the right solar system for your residential or commercial property in your area, it’s essential to consider various factors to ensure a successful and efficient renewable energy solution. This is one major thing that we help with as part of our comprehensive solar services.

One of the first considerations is your energy needs. Assessing your current electricity consumption and understanding how much solar energy you want to generate can help determine the size and capacity of the solar system that best fits your requirements. For example, if you have high energy demands due to a large household or extensive business operations, a larger system with more panels and higher capacity inverters may be necessary.

Let’s say you run a bed and breakfast, and you want to offset most of your electricity consumption with solar energy. You would need to estimate the average amount of energy your establishment consumes over a given period and ensure your solar system produces enough power to cover that demand.

Additionally, considering the available space on your property is critical in selecting the right solar system. A rooftop installation may be suitable for residential buildings with ample roof space, while ground-mounted systems can provide powerful options for commercial properties with expansive land.

Evaluating shading patterns throughout the day is also crucial as shadows from nearby trees or structures can significantly impact solar panel performance.

Another important factor is budget and finances. While investing in solar energy has long-term benefits in terms of reduced electricity bills and potential incentives, it’s vital to consider upfront costs as well. Understanding your budget and exploring financing options such as loans or lease agreements can help make solar power a feasible investment for you.

Once you have determined the appropriate system size, assessed available space, and considered financial aspects, it’s time to move on to the next phase: solar system design and planning.

Flexible Financing Options for
Your Solar Project

Solar System Design and Planning

Solar System Design and Planning in

A good design plan is crucial for the successful completion of a residential or commercial solar system. It is important for us to gather all the project requirements and assess factors such as energy use, roof or property site, electrical setup, local permit and utility requirements, and owner preferences.

This process involves comparing different solar panel systems in terms of compatibility, cost estimates, performance, quality, tax credits, rebates, incentives, expected payback, lifetime savings, and return on investment.

Let’s imagine you are considering installing a solar system for your home in . During the design and planning phase, detailed measurements are taken to determine the optimal placement of solar panels on your roof based on sun exposure and shading analysis. Other considerations may include evaluating the condition of your roof and its ability to support the additional weight of solar panels.

To ensure accuracy and efficiency during this phase, professional software tools like PV Sol or Helioscope are utilized. These programs allow designers to create a basic design that includes panel type, orientation, tilt, and shading. Such software aids in creating an efficient layout while maximizing energy production.

Think of the solar system design and planning as crafting a blueprint for a building. Just as architects create detailed plans before construction begins to ensure everything is in place and functions optimally, designing a solar system requires careful consideration of all elements involved.

The final plan includes a site plan, electrical specifications and wiring diagram, engineering specifications and calculations, product specifications, purchase order and materials list. Optional services like reviews and stamps from electrical or structural engineers can be included to meet specific project requirements.

With the thorough design and planning completed, we are now ready to move forward with estimating costs and budgets for your solar system.

  • A well-designed plan is essential for the successful installation of a solar system in residential or commercial properties. Designers must evaluate various factors such as energy consumption, site location, electrical requirements, permits, and owner preferences. Professional software tools like PV Sol or Helioscope aid designers in creating an efficient layout while maximizing energy production. The final design plan includes site plans, engineering specifications, product specifications, purchase orders, and materials lists.

Overall, careful consideration of all elements involved is required to ensure the optimal placement of solar panels on roofs and calculate costs accurately.

Estimating Costs & Budgets

Before embarking on a residential or commercial solar system design and installation project, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the costs and budgets involved. At Strive Solar, transparency and full disclosure of costs and expected results are something we take very seriously and which our customers love us for.

The cost of a solar panel installation in can vary depending on various factors such as the system size, location, panel brand and quality, panel type, roof characteristics, labor, permitting and interconnection fees. It is essential to estimate these costs accurately to ensure that you stay within budget and make informed decisions.

One significant factor in determining the price of a solar panel installation is the system size. Bigger systems with more panels will cost more money upfront but save more money in the long run. Therefore, it is important to consider your energy needs and future goals when deciding on the system size that best fits your requirements.

The location also plays a role in solar installation costs, varying mostly by state. Different states offer different incentives, rebates, and tax credits that can affect the overall cost of installing a solar system. For example, Arizona has one of the lowest average costs per watt at $2.44/W, while Michigan has one of the highest at $3.78/W. falls somewhere in-between, however by the time we created this webpage and the time you are reading it, things may have changed. We are happy to answer basic questions like this over the phone at any time, just give us a call!

It’s worth noting that solar panel prices have been decreasing over time due to advancements in technology and increased competition in the industry. However, it’s essential to remember that investing in high-quality panels with good warranties may come with a higher upfront cost but can provide better long-term performance and return on investment.

When estimating costs for your solar system design and installation project in , it is advisable to consult with professionals who specialize in renewable energy solutions. Their expertise can help provide accurate estimations based on your specific requirements and location.

Solar System Design Software Tools

Solar system design software tools have revolutionized the way professionals plan and execute solar projects efficiently. These advanced tools offer us a range of features and capabilities that simplify the design process, increase efficiency, and provide accurate estimates of energy production.

Some popular solar system design software tools include:

  • Solaris is known for its accurate estimations of solar energy potential. With prospecting tools like iMaps and pvPlanner, it offers the most reliable and precise solar data available.
  • RETScreen is a clean energy management software platform that enables low-carbon planning and implementation. The premium version of the software, RETScreen Expert, even offers free access in Viewer mode.
  • Pylon provides an intuitive design interface for creating accurate proposals with high-resolution imagery. It also offers load profile analysis and interval data analysis for a better understanding of customer consumption patterns.
  • HelioScope is a fast and simple web-based design and sales tool with a robust 3D design engine and a bankable energy yield calculator. This tool allows solar professionals to create accurate designs efficiently.
  • Web Solar Cloud is an easy-to-use online tool that generates professional solar designs quickly, even for beginners.
  • Solar Labs leverages TSL-enabled sales cycles and provides high-performance PV layouts with automation and remote analysis capabilities.
  • ENACT Solar Software delivers high-performing solar and energy storage systems through features such as remote design via satellite images and detailed pricing and energy analysis.
  • PVSketch
  • SunDAT
  • Lyra Solar
  • PV*SOL
  • PVCAD
  • Solarius PV

Each tool has its strengths and unique features to cater to different project requirements.

These software tools streamline the process of developing solar projects by offering user-friendly interfaces, intelligent simulation models for shade analysis, financial planning functionalities, database integration, remote analysis capabilities, and much more.

As the trend in solar system design moves towards software solutions that simplify processes and increase efficiency while providing advanced features like remote analysis and integration with other tools, these design software tools continue to evolve and improve.

Whether you are a professional solar designer or someone interested in understanding the potential of solar energy on your property, utilizing solar system design software tools can provide valuable insights and help optimize your project’s performance.

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  1. Provide us with your contact details.
  2. We will reach out to arrange a meeting at a time that’s convenient for you
  3. A solar energy solutions specialist will come out to your home in and meet with you
  4. You will receive a personalized plan detailing our proposed solar system’s size and output, what it will look like, how much it will cost, our awesome financial options, and of course the savings in electricity you are projected to see!

Solar System Installation

How do you hire the best solar system installation company? We’d recommend talking to Strive Solar in your city! Our team are consummate professionals who are great to work with, from our receptionists to our engineers and electricians and everyone else too! We are very glad they are working for us and not anybody else. They have the expertise and experience in designing and setting up renewable energy systems better than probably anybody else in the state. Our experts can ensure that your solar system is installed correctly, maximizing its efficiency and longevity.

  1. The first step in the solar installation process is to conduct a thorough assessment of your property. Factors such as roof condition, tree cover, size, shape, slope, and age must be taken into consideration to determine if your home or commercial building is suitable for solar panel installation. If for any reason the roof is not suitable or available, there are alternative options like community solar programs where you can benefit from solar energy without having panels installed on your property.
  2. Once it has been determined that your property is suitable for solar panels, the next step is to find a reputable solar installer in your area. You can utilize Google searches, business directories, and word of mouth to find local installers in your area (most of our business is actually word of mouth from happy customers–we’ll take it!)
  3. Reading reviews and testimonials from previous customers can provide valuable insights into their work quality. Another helpful approach is to participate in solar co-ops or Solarize campaigns, which often bring together a group of interested individuals in your location to leverage bulk purchasing power and simplify the decision-making process.
  4. Hiring a qualified professional with NABCEP certification (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) is highly recommended. This certification ensures that the installer has met rigorous standards and possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to design and install safe and efficient solar systems. Additionally, hiring a certified installer may also be required to qualify for certain financial incentives or rebate programs provided by local governments or utility companies in .

To get an estimate of energy production and cost for your grid-connected PV (photovoltaic) system, you can use tools like PVWatts provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This tool takes into account factors like location, system size, orientation, tilt angle, shading, and more to give you a general idea of what to expect. However, it is always advisable to obtain custom estimates from solar installers who can provide more accurate information based on your specific circumstances in your area.

Now that we have covered the solar system installation process, let’s explore an important aspect that you need to consider before moving forward: Permits and Local Requirements.

Permits and Local Requirements

Before installing a solar system, it is crucial for us to understand and comply with permits and local requirements in your town and state. City, county, and state regulations are always a bit different. We are experienced in obtaining the necessary permits ensures that your installation meets safety standards and adheres to building codes in your area. We make all this very easy for you since we’ve done it many times before in your neighborhood.

The first step is to research and familiarize yourself with the specific permits required for solar installations in your locality. Your  local building department or planning office can provide you with the necessary information regarding permit applications, fees, and any additional documentation needed.

In many cases, you will need to submit detailed plans and specifications of the proposed solar system installation for review. The permitting process may involve inspections at various stages of the installation, such as before placing panels on the roof or connecting them to the electrical grid. These inspections ensure that your system is installed safely and in compliance with local regulations.

It is essential to work closely with your chosen solar installer during this process, as they will have experience dealing with permit applications and can guide you through each step. They can help you prepare the necessary documents, including engineering drawings, structural analysis reports, electrical diagrams, and equipment specifications.

Keep in mind that timelines for permit approval may vary depending on the local government’s workload and review processes. It is advisable to begin the permit application process well in advance of your desired installation timeline to avoid delays.

For instance, if you plan to install a solar system on a commercial property in a busy metropolitan area, the permitting process may take longer compared to a residential property in a smaller town somewhere in your state. Being aware of these potential delays can help you plan your project accordingly.

Now that you are familiar with the importance of permits and local requirements, we can move forward to explore methods for optimizing your solar system to maximize returns.

Optimizing Your Solar System for Maximum Return

When it comes to investing in a solar system for your residential or commercial property, it’s important to optimize its design to ensure maximum return on your investment. While the primary objective of going solar is to generate clean and renewable energy, maximizing the financial benefits is equally essential. By strategically designing and optimizing your solar system, you can boost its efficiency, increase energy production, and ultimately maximize the return on your investment.

  • One key aspect of optimizing your solar system is choosing the most efficient solar panels available. The efficiency of a solar panel refers to how much of the sun’s energy the panel’s solar cells can convert into usable electricity.

Higher-efficiency panels can generate more power with the same amount of sunlight, allowing you to produce more electricity and save on utility bills. The most efficient solar panels currently available on the market have efficiency ratings of up to 22.8%. Companies like SunPower and Canadian Solar are known for their high-efficiency panels, but other reputable brands offer competitive options as well.

Let’s say you’re considering installing a solar system on your rooftop. If you opt for high-efficiency panels, they can generate more electricity compared to lower-efficiency ones, even if they occupy the same amount of space. This means you’ll be able to offset a larger portion of your electricity consumption and potentially earn more through net metering programs or feed-in tariffs, depending on your location.

  • Another crucial factor in optimizing your solar system is the positioning and orientation of the panels. Solar panels work best when they receive direct sunlight for extended periods throughout the day. Ideally, they should face south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere) to capture maximum sunlight exposure. Additionally, minimizing shading from surrounding trees or buildings is crucial for maximizing energy production.

It’s also necessary to consider any potential obstructions that may cast shadows on your solar panels. Even a small shadow can significantly reduce the output of an entire string of panels. Conducting a shade analysis before installation can help identify potential shading issues and find solutions to mitigate their impact.

  • Apart from efficient panels and optimal placement, the overall system design, including the size and configuration of the array, should be carefully considered. While it may be tempting to install as many panels as possible, it’s essential to strike a balance between system size and electricity consumption. Oversizing the system may result in an excess generation that goes unused while under-sizing could lead to a shortfall in meeting your energy needs. A thorough assessment of your historical electricity usage patterns and future projections is crucial in determining the optimal system size.

To optimize your solar system for maximum return, it is also important to consider other components such as inverters, which convert the DC power generated by solar panels into usable AC power for your electrical appliances. Choosing high-quality inverters that match the specifications of your solar panels can improve system performance and longevity.

  • Lastly, ongoing maintenance and monitoring are vital for keeping your solar system operating at its peak efficiency. Regular cleaning of the panels to remove dust or debris buildup, inspection of electrical connections, and monitoring energy production can help identify any potential issues proactively and ensure optimal system performance over time.

Optimizing your solar system for maximum return is akin to tending to a well-maintained garden. Just as each plant and flower requires specific care to flourish, so does each component of your solar system. By ensuring you have efficient panels, proper orientation and shading mitigation strategies, appropriate system sizing, quality inverters, and regular maintenance, you create an environment where your solar system thrives and delivers optimal financial returns for you and your stakeholders.

We also offer solar system design & consultation in most surrounding cities near you