How Do I Know if Solar is Right For My Rental Property?

Many homeowners have begun to adopt photovoltaic (PV)/Solar systems. Yet landlords can also benefit from solar.

Why would you want to install solar on a rental? After all, you’re not living in the rental. Only your tenant will benefit. 

There are many benefits to installing solar for your rental, including an increase in property value, commanding a higher rent, tenant satisfaction, and gaining a competitive edge in the green housing market. In today’s article, we’ll go over whether or not solar is suitable for your rental property and how to get the most out of your solar panels if you decide to install a photovoltaic system.

Proactive Compliance

As of 2020, new construction, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single-family homes, condominiums, or apartment buildings less than three stories high, requires a photovoltaic/solar (PV) system. There are some exceptions to the rule, such as the roof of the building being too small to accommodate solar panels, the roof needing more direct or sufficient sunlight, or if the home has access to a communal solar system. This was done to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California.

Installing solar in your house in Southern California almost feels like an emergency. Why not install them before regulations change and take advantage of the incentives for installing solar panels, which can provide a tax credit that ranges between 26%-30% of the project's total cost when completed?

Property Improvements

If you are already in the process of doing upgrades or maintenance to your rental property, consider a solar system. Installing a solar system on your rental may have hidden requirements depending on the age and condition of the building. Older buildings may need electrical upgrades to keep up with modern technologies, while roofs must be inspected regularly after fifteen years. However, installing said solar system is an excellent time if you are already upgrading the electrical and/or re-doing the roof. This way, everything is installed simultaneously, making it easier to keep track of maintenance and quality of the property. 

Conversely, if you plan on installing a solar panel system, it's a great time to inspect your roof and electrical systems to ensure they can handle the new load.

Building’s Orientation

Solar power can only be collected more efficiently when solar panels have clear access to direct sunlight. This means some older homes aren’t built in an orientation that makes managing solar power easy. If too many obstructions exist, such as other buildings, walls, or trees, your solar panels may never be in direct sunlight long enough to efficiently collect solar power.

The sun moves across the sky, rising from the east and setting in the west. While oversimplified, solar panels angled in these directions typically provide the most direct sunlight. Depending on what side of the roof the panels are installed can change how much power is generated, though this isn’t the only element to consider. For example, installing solar panels angled towards the east provides more sunlight, yet your tenants won’t be home to use a solar battery unless you've established a solar battery. If you install the panels facing west, they’ll be less efficient during the sunniest part of the day, yet more power will be generated when power is most expensive.

If your property’s roof is angled from north to south, you’re not out of luck yet. Panels installed on the south side of a home tend to be most efficient during winter.

Solar panels seem like an expensive investment at first, though on average, they pay for themselves within ten years. If you should install a solar power system or need help managing your properties with solar, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online.