Things to consider before installing solar panels in Kenya

Solar panels in Kenya continue to play a major role in ensuring that there is power supply, especially when there is an electricity blackout.

The good thing about solar energy is that nit is more cheaper once you have installed when you compare it to electricity. This is because one does not have to pay every month for the power supply since it comes from the sun.

The only time one incurs costs is in the buying and installation of the solar panels and after that, one only needs to worry about maintaining the panel so as to ensure that last longer and serve you better.

Let's look at some of the important factors one needs to look out for or consider before installing a solar panel.

Factors to consider before installing solar panels in Kenya

Cost of installation

After buying a solar panel, it's important for one to check out the cost of installation. This can even be done long before you even buy the panel itself. This is very important in that you will want to understand how much the person who will install I for you will charge you so that you can plan.

When to start saving

Buying and installing solar panels is a great way for one to save money. This is why it is important to note that if you decide to do a pre-paid power purchase agreement, or buy the system outright, you will have an upfront expense, but save more in the long run.

Solar panels in Kenya

The type of panels to use

It's important for one to understand the fact that solar panels are not created the same and so there is a big possibility that they will not work the same. Most of them are manufactured by different manufacturers and thus they may work differently depending on the duties.

Let’s look at the size of the panel. One needs to look at the size of the solar panel you need to install so as to see if it can fit on top of your roof without any issues. It’s therefore important that you consider the size of the panel in relation to the size of the roof. This is just to ensure that you have enough space to fit it.

Who will do the installation

When it comes to solar panel installation, you cannot just trust anyone one in the name of being a technician. One needs to ensure that he/she contacts a trained professional to install the panel. This is to avoid making mistakes with people who pretend to know how to install the panels.

The type of roof you have

This is one area most people fail to look into before buying a solar panel. This is very important since roofs come in different shapes, sizes and materials. As much as solar panels can be installed on the roof, you need to do some research about it.

For example, installing a panel on a composite shingle can be a very quick exercise unlike installing on Spanish tile which requires different mounting systems and may take a longer time. This is why it is important that bone gets an installer with the experience in your roof type so as to avoid issues during rainy season.

Its therefore very important that one understands what to look out for when buying and installing solar panels in Kenya.