Solar power is a fantastic investment for homeowners, but nobody wants their home to look like a power plant. Fortunately, installers that are willing to go above and beyond the industry standard can seamlessly integrate these solar panel design practices into your project, actually enhancing your curb appeal.
Here are five key ways installers can help:
Experienced installers will carefully plan the panel layout to minimize visual impact. This might involve optimizing panel orientation for maximum energy production while minimizing visibility from street level or neighboring properties.
Solar designers should take into account any important views from within the home or from the street, ensuring the panels don’t obstruct these perspectives.
Depending on the layout of your property and how much open land is available, a ground-mounted solar panel design may be more visually appealing, especially when combined with strategic landscaping.
Even for the most experienced installers, meticulous planning is essential to ensure conduit and wires are hidden from view as much as possible.
Installers can run conduit discreetly along rooflines or within attics, to minimizing unsightly wires and cables. However, this type of “premium” installation is not widely available, as it is not an easy task.
As would be expected of any electrician, solar installers should ensure all electrical wiring and cables are securely fastened in a safe and tidy manner.
Wind skirting is used to cover the edges of the racking system, creating a smooth and professional finish which does a great deal to improve the overall appearance of the installation. Wind skirting should be chosen to match or complement the color of the roof or panels to achieve the most cohesive solar panel design.
Select mounting systems that minimize the height of the panels above the roofline. Then, adjustable tilt mechanisms can help minimize the visual impact by allowing for optimal tilt while keeping the overall profile low.
Gone are the days when solar panel design was doomed to feature ugly metal framing and prominent wires contrasting harshly with your roof.
All black solar panel systems, where black panels with black frames are mounted on black racking, offer a sleek, modern look that blends seamlessly with most roof colors.
For even greater aesthetic flexibility, some manufacturers offer panels in a variety of colors. This allows you to choose panels that match your roof shingles or the exterior of your home. However, colorful solar panels tend to be more expensive and less efficient than traditional blue or black panels, so we highly discourage this option.
The idea that solar panel design is inherently unattractive is one of many false, yet well circulated solar energy myths. Modern solar panel design and installation techniques can help homeowners achieve a beautiful and harmonious solar installation that enhances, rather than detracts from, their property’s curb appeal. As you can see, there are an overwhelming number of options available to customize the look of your solar system. Oh, the possibilities!
That said, solar systems are not one size fits all. Even neighbors in matching townhomes that are part of a homeowner’s association have different usage needs, at the very least. That’s why it’s important to speak with a trusted solar advisor to go over your options and determine if solar is a good solution for you. If you live in Central Illinois and have questions about solar panel design options or would like to schedule a free consultation, please call Sun Collectors at (309) 323-8260.
