Solar Homes

1970s Solar Retrofit

Property owners are taking advantage of generous tax credits by adding energy efficient components to their homes and nearby structures. Some homeowners add solar arrays to their roofs, while others add them to their garages. It doesn't matter if the building is newly constructed homes or decades old because skilled installers can retrofit solar panels and arrays to accommodate any home with southern exposure. Here are a few examples of how the arrays might look on your home.

In this photo: This 1970s home faces southwest. Even though the roof's pitch was not optimum, the panels were installed to capture as much solar energy as possible.

2-Car Garage Solar Retrofit

While the house faced due west, the garage's roof was at the right angle and faced the right direction for an expansive array. The roof of the two-car garage was retrofitted with an array that spans the entire surface... except for a small opening. That opening is a skylight that provides passive sunlight to the garage.

Stand-Alone Garage Solar Retrofit

Even stand-alone garages can be fitted with panels that provide energy for the home. To estimate the size and cost to install a solar or wind energy system for your home or building visit www.Solar-estimate.org.

Solar Panels that Blend with Landscape

Hidden from the road by trees, these solar panels seem to blend well with the home's modern architecture. Despite the home's flat roof, the homeowners were able to install photovoltaic panels to supplement their energy needs.

Flat Roof with Solar Panels

Flat roofs and roofs that angle the away from a southern exposure can still be retrofitted for solar arrays. Clever calculations and well-placed support rods compensate for structural challenges.

East and West Facing Solar Panels

While the entrance of this home faced south, the roofs faced due east and west. To capture as much solar energy as possible, panels were installed on both the east and west facing roofs.

Barely Visible Solar Panels

Despite having panels on two sides of the roof, the angle of the arrays is so slight that the photovoltaic panels are barely visible from the road.