While any residential property with access to sunlight can produce some solar power, not all homes are suitable for installing sizeable solar panel systems. Some properties have large trees or other physical obstructions to the sun; others are located in areas where it's impossible to connect a private system to the power grid.

If you're wondering if solar panels can be installed on your home, certain conditions must be present, including the following.

Your Home Must Have a High Solar Energy Potential

As you can imagine, installing a solar system is not an inexpensive proposition. Because of the cost, it makes a lot of sense to consider whether or not your home has adequate solar energy potential. This is important because solar energy production directly offsets the system's initial cost.

For example, if your neighbor's trees block all afternoon sunshine on your roof, your property doesn't have enough solar energy potential for the system to pay for itself over time.

However, if your home sits in full sun, installing them can make a lot of sense because your home has a high solar energy potential and will generate a lot of energy. 

Your Home's Roof Must Have the Structural Integrity for Solar Panels.

Due to their weight, solar panels can only be installed on a roof with the structural Integrity to hold the added weight safely.

In addition, you want your roof to be in good repair before installing solar panels. Once installed, a solar panel contractor will need to remove solar panels before roofing repairs or replacements can be done.

The best person to evaluate the structural integrity of your roof before solar panel installation is a licensed roofing contractor in your local area.

Your Home's Utility Provider Must Be Cooperative

When you install solar panels on a home connected to the power grid, any excess solar power you generate will be sold back to the utility company using a process referred to as net metering.

You must have the cooperation of the utility company to get approval to connect your new system to the grid. In some areas, solar panels are promoted, and connection to the grid is not an issue. In other areas, you will first have to go through many permitting hoops and fees to get your solar system connected to the grid.

Before signing on the dotted line for a residential solar system install, ensure that your local utility provider will be amenable to connecting your new system to their grid in a reasonable period. For more information, contact a company like Merrimack Solar - Affiliate of SunRun.