When the sun starts setting before 5 p.m., solar power may be the last thing on your mind. But declining panel prices and a federal tax credit make now a good time to at least investigate whether solar power might make sense for your home, and your budget.

If you are thinking that you’d like to go solar within the next few years, right now is the time to do it because Oregon solar panels are on sale right now, and there is a sweet spot where the state rebates are still relatively high, but the costs have come down. The coldest time of the year could be the right time for the best deal. It’s generally a slower time for the industry, which means companies may be willing to give you a better deal. If you’re thinking about going solar, here’s a checklist of things to think about.

Find out what kind of power you consume you average during the course of the past year or so. This information is available through your monthly statement if you have the records available.

You might know how much you pay, but are you aware of how much power you use? Electricity is charged by the kilowatt hour. Some people use as little as 300 kWh per month; others easily use more than 1,200 kWh a month so for some people greendiyenergy is a much better investment for people who use a lot of electricity. And in some states, there is a sales tax exemption on solar equipment and installation.

Make sure you know your home. How old is your roof, and what kind of shape is it in? If your roof is due to be replaced, you’ll want to do that before, or along with, adding solar. Can you effectively put the solar panels up with the way your home was built. What direction does the roof face? Are there trees that cover your house? There needs to be plenty of sun for the solar panels to collect the energy during the course of a normal day.

Shop around. Ask friends and neighbors who have already installed solar power if they’ve been happy with their systems or go online and check out some greendiyenergy review to find out what has worked for others and what pitfalls you should be aware of.

Look into the different ways to pay for the system. Do you have to have the money for the entire system upfront, or does your installer offer a leasing option? It is possible to do this project in stages if you choose. Just like any home renovation project make sure you talk to several contractors to get the best price and best contractor that you can. make sure you have some proof about the claims that a manufacture makes.

Be sure to apply for the Solar Federal Tax Credit, which allows you to claim up to 30 percent of the costs for a new system. It can reduce the payback time for any solar system that you put in.

Remember that over time your requirements for power are going to fluctuate and you will want to be able to adapt your system with the changes. There might be other additions to your house or family that make you require more power as you get older.

There is no substitute for research. If it is right for you, start using the sun to power your house. It is nice to know you are doing your part to protect the future.