Solar is a perfect alternative for electricity. However, not all homes are suitable for solar power due to many factors, among them the sun number score. This score ranges from 1-100, and it shows how efficient your home can harness solar power or how suitable your home is for solar installation. The number helps you determine whether the conditions are worth the investment—the higher the number, the better the conditions. A score of 100 shows high efficiency, with the efficiency declining as the numbers fall.
However, you can still enjoy solar services even with a low score. This is taking into consideration that there are other small details involved in the process of solar installation. An excellent installer will be able to guide you on these details. Always opt for experts such as SEM Power who can design and modify the system, such as having solar panels on multiple sides of the roof to beat the score. There are four key scoring categories that, when combined, are used to determine the sun number score.
Building Solar Score
This is the most important aspect with a score of 80 points. It looks at how suitable your property or structure is for solar installation. The roof pitch, size, orientation, and shading are all key. A score of 60 and above is ideal. An ideal roof should be south facing with zero shading, an appropriate angle, and adequate space for the panels.
Regional Climate Score
Data on the regional climate is gathered from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This data shows the amount of solar radiation received in the region where your home is located. They specifically narrow down to the amount of sunlight that hits the roof, as this is a clear indicator of how much electricity the solar panels can produce. The maximum score for the regional climate is 8 points. The score is higher in areas that receive more sunlight.
Electricity Rates Score
The maximum score for electricity rates is also 8 points, and this score looks at the average electricity rates in the area. This score is very important since there would be no need to install power if electricity rates are cheaper. The higher the rates, the higher the sun number score, and vice versa is true.
Solar Cost Score
Scored at a maximum of 4 points, the solar cost score looks at the costs involved in installing solar in a particular area. The weight given to this score is very low since it should not be a hindrance to solar installation considering the many benefits. The local solar installation prices are determined through NREL, and the lower the costs, the higher the sun number. Meaning the more likely you are to be recommended to install solar on your property. If everything remains constant, this score has a very negligent effect on the total score.
The Sun Number Score
The four scores are tallied to determine your solar number score. Any number above 70 indicates that solar is a worthy investment in the property, with 100 being the ideal score. The number also shows the average sun number in neighboring homes. This can help you work with a solar company to improve your number if it does not comply with your area average.
Is My House Suitable For Solar Panels?
There are several factors to consider, and these may prove more costly when it comes to solar installation. If your power usage during the day is very low, the solar investment may not be viable. The same applies to the nature of the roof. If your roof is complicated with no space for solar installation, your property may not be physically viable. The same goes for asbestos roofs, where you may be forced to replace the entire roof, which is an expensive affair.
Old, weak, and crumbling roofs may not be a good candidate for solar panels, and you may be required to undertake roof repair or replacement before installation. If tall buildings and trees surround your property, solar may not be a good option either. An expert installer may opt for optimizers and micro-inverters. Though in extreme cases, this may still not be economical.
The sun number is essential when considering solar power as an alternative. However, it should not be the only determinant on whether to install solar systems or not. Always look out for other factors such as available incentives and the possibility of the installer tweaking the system to your advantage.
