Solar Energy Installation Guides

Installing solar panels on your home, business or farm can end up saving you thousands of dollars in costly utility bills. You can offset up to 100% of your energy usage by going solar. The average household in Michigan pays over $200 dollars per month and businesses or farms are double that, or more.

They key is to work with a professional solar installer who has the thorough knowledge and experience with solar technology, design and engineering. Peninsula Solar has over a decade of experience in designing and engineering some of the best systems in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

If you're an avid DIYer then you may be able to piece together a panel or two but the average person will want to avoid trying to install solar panels themselves as it could end up costing them more in the long run to fix a DIY gone wrong.

A properly designed photovoltaic system will put most DIY installations to shame. The cost of solar panel equipment continues to lower year after year and with all the incentives you can get as a homeowner or business owners there's little to no reason to not use a professional and protect your investment.

You can save 30% on your solar installation costs with a federal tax incentive.

Peninsula Solar is a leading solar installation company based in Northern Michigan. They have been installing solar panels for homeowners and commercial customers for over a decade.

Let the team at Peninsula Solar help you see how much you can save by going solar.

Ballasted Roof Mount — Lakeshore Building
Residential Solar Panels sky shot.
FEATURED GUIDE

Best Time to Install Solar Panels

The best time to install solar panels comes down to your finances and goals. You'll get the most value out of your panels by installing them in spring or summer when there is more sun during the day.

However, you might be able to get a better deal and cheaper price by installing in the winter.

Can you install solar panels on any roof? Good question!

Yes! Solar panels can be put on almost every roof out there. However, there are some considerations depending on the type of roof material used. For instance, clay tiles are very brittle in nature and if the mounting system is not installed correctly it can lead to cracks or even leaks into your home or business.

The key to a successful installation is working with a licensed professional that has experience with modern roof types and layouts.

Looking for more specific information on materials? Keep reading with one of our guides below.

Installing Solar Panels on a Metal Roof

Home > Learn Solar > Installation > Installing on a Metal Roof The use of solar energy has significantly grown over the years due to its many benefits, such as reducing energy bills and minimizing…

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Installing Solar Panels on a Shingle Roof

Home > Learn Solar > Installation > Installing on a Shingle Roof Benefiting from solar energy is more than just a commitment to sustainability; it’s about energy independence. With solar panels installed on your shingle…

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Installing Solar Panels on a Tile Roof

Home > Learn Solar > Installation > Installing on a Tile Roof Tile roofs have been increasing in popularity across the United States in modern homes. Tile roofs offer a distinctive aesthetic appeal to any…

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Installing Solar Panels on a Flat Roof

Home > Learn Solar > Installation > Installing on Flat Roofs In Michigan, a flat roof is a very common style particularly for larger structures such as a business. They provide an excellent platform for…

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Installing Solar Panels on a Clay Roof

Home > Learn Solar > Installation > Installing on Clay Roofs A clay roof is known for it’s resilience, longevity and distinctive style. Installing clay tiles as your roof can give you an attractive old-school…

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Learn how we can connect solar to your home & prepare your roof or ground for solar.

There are several mounting options for solar energy. The most common mounting method for residential solar is to mount them on your roof. Figuring out how you want to mount your panels is only half the battle since you'll want to prepare your roof and find the most optimal placement for your panels.

Keep reading the guides below to learn how we mount solar panels, help you figure out the best placement and even remove solar panels if you're moving.

Solar Ballast Mounting

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Ballast Mounting If you’re installing a new set of solar panels for your home you’ll likely have to think through mounting options.  A professional solar…

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Roof-Mounted Solar Panels

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Roof-Mounted Solar Roof-mounted solar panels are photovoltaic panels that are installed on the roof of a building. These panels are designed to capture sunlight and…

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Ground Mounted Solar Panels.

Ground-Mounted Solar Panels

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Ground-Mounted Solar If you’ve considered installing solar panels to help power your home or business then you likely have had to decide between a ground-mounted…

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How to Remove Solar Panels

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Removal of Solar Panels If you’re trying to remove your solar panels it’s important to do it safely and efficiently. We recommend working with a…

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How to Clean Solar Panels

Home > Learn Solar > Cleaning Solar Panels To optimize the output of your solar energy system, it is important that your panels remain free of debris or other factors that could limit the output. …

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How Long Does it Take to Install Solar Panels?

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Solar Panel Installation Time Solar panels are made with semiconductor materials, such as silicon, that when exposed to sunlight release electrons and generate an electric…

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Preparing a Roof for Solar Panels

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Electrical Panels for Solar If you’re planning on installing solar panels on your roof, there are several things you need to consider. The most important…

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Learn about warranties, expanding your solar system and more!

Interested in learning if solar panels can damage your roof? We have you covered. Below you'll find guides covering many aspects of the solar panel installation process. Not finding what you need? Talk to our team at Peninsula Solar today to get answers.

Do Solar Panels Damage Your Roof?

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Do Solar Panels Damage a Roof? It is a belief of many that installing solar panels on your home’s roof can damage it. If installed…

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Solar Warranties

Home > Learn Solar > Installation > Solar Panel Warranties Solar panels are typically made using silicon, a semiconductor material that absorbs photons from the sun to generate an electric current that produces electricity. A…

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Commercial solar installation on large building.

Can You Add Solar Panels to an Existing Solar System?

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Electrical Panels for Solar Yes, it is possible to expand most residential solar energy systems and commercial solar systems by adding new panels but it…

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Peninsula Solar truck and ground mounted array.

Solar Permitting: How to Get a Solar Permit

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Electrical Panels for Solar If you are a home or business owner and have done any repairs or updates to your buildings then you should…

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Electric Panel Requirements for Solar Panels

Home > Learn Solar > Solar Energy Installation Guides > Electrical Panels for Solar Electrical panels accept energy from different sources such as the utility, fuel generator, or solar electric systems and distribute them throughout…

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