For over a decade, SES has worked with some of the region’s most prominent builders and architects. Given our extensive experience in the industry, we’re excited to share our expertise with you. There are many decisions and variables that go into building your new home or business and installing solar should be one of them. While there’s plenty of information on installing solar panels on existing structures, the benefits and process of solar panels for new construction are a bit less clear.
The ideal and best time to ’go solar’ is from the start—even before construction begins. It can be much easier and more efficient to incorporate solar into the design plan than to wait until after the build is complete. With new construction, you can choose less obvious installation areas to appeal to any aesthetic concerns and place any chimneys, vents, or obstructions in a way that will not interfere with optimal sun exposure. Essentially, the solar design team and architects can collaborate to optimize your system.
Here are the top three considerations for installing solar on your new construction build, ranked by importance and timing priority:
- Before Construction: Roof Pitch and Orientation
If possible, taking advantage of unshaded south or east-west roofs is ideal. Keeping the pitch low, especially on East-West roofs, is important for optimized surface area and sun exposure. The location, orientation, and roof design are key factors in building your solar-powered home.
- During Construction: Vents
Keep vents on the north roof. If they have to be located on your south or east-west roof, gather them together in one place. This allows for a valuable solar design, free of obstructions interfering with optimal sun exposure.
- Near the End of Construction: Conduit
Something to address before the drywall goes in is putting the conduit in the walls. This would run from your electrical room up into the attic so that when the solar is installed, wires can run through the conduit, and be entirely invisible. On an existing home, we typically put the conduit from the eave down near the gutter for minimal visibility.
Steps to Incorporate Solar in New Construction with SES
Ready to get started on your new build designed with clean energy in mind? Here’s what you can expect when you bring Solar Energy Services into the mix with your architect and builder.
1. Initial Consultation:
Our experts begin by understanding your project requirements and goals and speaking with the other key members of your construction team to learn about any critical restrictions or requirements. We’ll also talk with you about your current energy use and anticipated energy usage in your new home or commercial building.
2. Customized Design:
We create a customized solar design tailored to your specific needs and the unique characteristics of your new construction, keeping in mind any preferences you share to create the solar-powered home or business of your dreams.
3. Installation Process:
Our skilled team ensures a smooth installation process, adhering to timelines and minimizing disruptions. We’ll work closely with your construction team to install at the right time to keep your build moving as planned.
4. Post-Installation Support:
SES will walk you through your installed solar system, provide you with operational documentation specific to your solar system, and ensure you understand how it operates and how you can track and manage it through your app monitoring platform. Finally, we will introduce you to our service team for any future maintenance needs.
New Builds, Made Better with Solar
Integrating solar into new construction projects is a forward-thinking choice that brings financial, environmental, and market advantages. SES works extensively with regional architects and design teams on residential new construction and commercial new construction. We’ve helped thousands of individuals in the region achieve energy independence in their new build, whether we work directly with the owner or with their builder and architect.
Reach out to learn more about integrating it into your new construction today.
