Path-Q Solar
Should I install solar before or after making major energy-efficiency improvements?
Answer
Usually, evaluate and complete major efficiency improvements first, then size solar around the resulting energy use. Installing solar first can leave you with an oversized system if efficiency work substantially reduces consumption, although waiting may not be best when improvements are uncertain, delayed, or unaffordable.
Key points
- Efficiency improvements can reduce the annual electricity that solar must supply.
- Prioritize measures that reduce heating, cooling, and base-load demand, especially when they affect equipment sizing.
- If efficiency work will occur soon, ask for solar proposals using both current and projected usage.
- A staged plan can preserve flexibility: improve efficiency, monitor bills, then finalize system sizing.
What it depends on
- Which improvements are planned and how much electricity they are expected to save
- Whether heating, water heating, or vehicles will later be electrified
- The timing and cost of the improvements
- Whether the solar design can be expanded or modified later
Risks and trade-offs
- Waiting can delay bill savings and expose you to changes in equipment availability or financing.
- Installing before efficiency work can produce more capacity than needed.
- Efficiency savings are estimates and may not occur if occupant behavior changes.
- Solar does not correct a poorly performing building envelope or inefficient equipment.
Information you may need
- Recent utility bills and current annual usage
- A list and expected timing of efficiency improvements
- Projected post-improvement electricity use
- Quotes or assessments for both efficiency work and solar
Your next step
What to do next
List the planned efficiency measures and request a solar comparison based on current use and projected post-improvement use before signing a final system design.
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