Planning for Future Energy Needs With Solar

PLEASANT HILL — If you’re planning to add a solar power system to your home, be sure to consider any potential future energy needs you may have. Solar power systems are often designed to supply just enough energy to meet the household’s current needs. The problem is, many homeowners neglect to consider how their energy needs might change five, 10 or 20 years down the road. If additional power is needed in the future, issues can arise if the system isn’t set up for it.

Here are a few things to consider when determining your potential future energy needs:

• Do you plan on purchasing an electric vehicle? If so, you’ll need to install an electric vehicle charging station in your garage, which will substantially increase your energy usage.
• Do you plan on installing a swimming pool or spa? Either one of these will require lighting and filtration systems, which will add to your home’s power load.
• Do you plan on adding to your home’s square footage? This is also likely to increase your home’s energy usage.

These are just a few examples to show why it’s important to consider future energy needs when adding a solar power system. By looking ahead, you can design your system in a way that avoids future problems.