Rooftop solar power is becoming increasingly common for homes in the U.S. The environmental and economic benefits of using the sun to power your home, coupled with falling costs and tax incentives, make a solar panel rooftop an attractive possibility for many homeowners.
In this article, we’ll discuss how rooftop solar works, the pros and cons of solar power installation, and how to determine if rooftop solar energy makes sense for your home and budget.
The science behind how rooftop solar power works
The sun offers a virtually endless supply of energy, making it a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option than electricity generated by fossil fuels. But how do rooftop solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity?
Here is a brief explanation of how rooftop solar works:
- Solar panels are installed on a rooftop. Each panel contains photovoltaic (PV) cells — also called solar cells — composed of semiconductor material.
- The semiconductor absorbs energy from sunlight and transfers it to electrons in the semiconductor. This extra energy flows through the PV cells, creating an electric current.
- An inverter converts the electricity from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Most home appliances use AC, making this step essential.
- The AC electricity is widely used for power distribution in households and commercial settings. If more electricity is generated than used, it can be stored in a battery (installed in your home or garage) for later use or sent back to the power grid. Through net metering, residents with rooftop solar arrays can earn credits for the excess electricity they generate and return to the grid. These credits can be used to pay for traditional electricity, which is needed when the panels don’t produce energy (i.e., at night).
How widespread are rooftop solar panels?
In 2024, U.S. solar installations reached 5 million, with 97% of those being residential systems.
This equates to 7% of U.S. homes having solar installations. That number is expected to jump to over 15% by 2030, indicating that solar energy is a proven investment for homeowners who want to control their energy generation and costs.
California leads the way in rooftop solar by a wide margin, with over 2 million installations, followed by Arizona (295,000+), Texas (282,000+) and Florida (235,000+).
In addition, Texas ranks #1 in solar growth projection over the next 5 years, followed by California, Florida, Arizona, and New York.
What are the pros and cons of having a solar panel rooftop?
There are many things to consider before installing rooftop solar panels. Some of the advantages of rooftop solar include:
- Using a renewable resource to generate electricity
- Low maintenance cost once installed
- Potential reduction in electricity bills
- Potential increase in home value
- Less dependence on the electric grid for power
- Contributing to the growth of sustainable electricity rather than relying on fossil fuels
Potential disadvantages of rooftop solar include:
- Initial high cost of installation
- Its intermittent availability (such as at night or cloudy days)
- The environmental impact of solar panels, like production and disposal
- Solar panels lack visual appeal to some people
For many homeowners, the most significant questions they have about rooftop solar are:
- “How much does it cost?”
- “How much will it save me on electricity?”
- “Will solar panels work well for my home?”
The first two of these queries depend on many factors, like where you live, the size of your roof, your typical monthly electricity usage, and your cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy. Professionals should answer these once they know the exact details of your situation. However, you can start exploring the third question using online tools.
Will rooftop solar work on my home?
To determine if rooftop solar would suit your home, experts will look at the size of your roof, the size of your home, shading and sun exposure, tilt, location, construction, and other factors. But you can get a general idea of your home’s solar potential using online calculators such as PVWatts.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts calculator lets you estimate the performance of a potential PV installation on your rooftop. It’s a great place to start your rooftop solar journey.
Next steps in the journey to rooftop solar power
If you’re considering adding solar panels to your roof, follow these next steps:
Research rooftop solar and reputable solar panel installation companies
Rooftop solar is a big financial decision, so you should perform due diligence by researching all aspects of it. The more you know, the more prepared you will be to ask important questions when searching for solar panel installation companies and getting estimates.
Green Mountain Energy offers helpful information about residential solar power, including installation information and frequently asked questions. You can also read about their net metering program, the Renewable Rewards Buyback Plan.
Reliant Energy also provides thorough information about rooftop home solar and a link to schedule a free consultation with a Reliant Solar Energy Expert. Like Green Mountain Energy, Reliant Energy offers a net metering option for eligible homeowners, the Reliant Solar Payback Plus plan.
In addition to searching online for trustworthy rooftop solar panel installers and reading others’ reviews, ask your friends, family, and neighbors about their experiences with the solar installation companies they’ve used.
Schedule free consultations
Once you have a short list of solar panel installation companies you feel confident about, schedule fee estimates and consultations. As with any major home improvement, it is essential to get pricing, input, and recommendations from multiple vendors.
Be prepared to ask questions. Rooftop solar vendors should be able to explain local incentives, discuss the options available, assess your potential cost savings, and provide an estimate that includes all expenses.
You should also verify each vendor’s licenses, certifications, and warranty information offered on their solar panel systems and installation.
Evaluate
You’ve researched rooftop solar and heard what several companies have to say — now it’s time to decide if rooftop solar is a good fit for your home and budget. If you have any follow-up questions, don’t hesitate to ask your potential vendor!
Conclusion
Now that you’ve explored rooftop solar more, you hopefully have a better understanding of how it works, the pros and cons of solar, and how to determine if it is right for your home.
Whether you decide to add solar panels to your home or not, it’s clear that solar energy is a powerful renewable energy source for homes across the U.S.
If solar panels aren’t in your future just yet, don’t despair. Many reputable retail electricity providers offer plans with electricity sourced from solar farms. To see what panel-less solar options are available in your area, visit Everything Energy.