Curb appeal is a concept that’s well known to homeowners who are intent on selling their house for the highest possible price. Enhancing the good looks of your own home shouldn’t be limited to only when you sell. However, a well-designed photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system may boost your home’s future value while bettering your quality of life today.
Considerations When Planning Your Solar System
HOA Restrictions
Before you start planning your PV system with curb appeal, check with your homeowner’s association (HOA) to determine if any restrictions are placed on solar system installations in your neighborhood. Laws vary from state to state, but most states prohibit homeowner associations from completely banning solar system installations. Because HOAs are tasked with maintaining the uniformity of a neighborhood, they may prohibit ground-mounted PV arrays or demand that residential solar panels match the roof color.
Trees and Buildings
To work properly, photovoltaic solar arrays require long periods of sustained sunlight unimpeded by buildings and landscaping, like trees and shrubs. Proper panel positioning is crucial to collect as many sunbeams as possible over a day. As a rule of thumb, panels in the northern hemisphere should face north. Fortunately, you don’t have to figure out PV panel positioning yourself but can get help from a friendly solar professional.
Size of Solar Panel Array
Another thing to consider when designing your photovoltaic system is size. If your home boasts a swimming pool or outdoor tennis court, you may need more PV panels and batteries to collect, convert and store sunlight energy than a home that runs basic appliances only. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to add PV panels to your system as your family grows and energy requirements increase. Additional panels can keep your electric vehicle charged, too.
Tips for Achieving Optimum Solar Panel Aesthetics
Choose a Black Frame
When it comes to the PV panel and frame color, several options are available. Although typically black or blue, PV panels can be coated to achieve a variety of colors. This is not, however, a great idea because such coatings greatly reduce PV efficiency. Instead of going for an oddball color, stick with basic black panels with black frames. Silver frames provide a bit more collection power, but for overall aesthetics, classic black PV panels with black frames are the most visually appealing.
Opt for Sleek Monocrystalline PV Panels
Old-school polycrystalline PV panels offer a shimmering blue appearance due to imperfections of the silicon fragments contained within. Monocrystalline panels made with superior silicone not only look better, they perform better in every way. These panels are designed to capture sunlight more effectively, providing greater energy output and better performance in low-light conditions. Additionally, their longevity and reliability make them a preferred choice for both residential and commercial solar energy systems.
Create a Stunning PV System With Solar Optimum
Adding solar panels to your home doesn’t have to take away from its unique charm. With the right planning, you can have a curb appeal-worthy PV system. When you’re ready to know more about PV panels and solar power, or if you’d like to schedule an on-site consultation, contact us.
