With monthly electricity costs nearing $600, a homeowner in New Jersey turned to Reddit to weigh whether solar still makes sense with a steep east-west roof and a dormer that shades part of one side.
Part of the appeal is that the poster's brother in Texas installed panels, skipped battery storage, and now pays about $20 for electricity.
Here's what to know
The Reddit post on r/solarenergy framed the decision around a sharp contrast. The homeowner said a brother in Texas was happy with solar and very low bills, while their own costs in New Jersey had climbed enough for them to write, "My electric bill has almost hit $600 this month, so maybe it's time to consider installing solar."
The poster also described the roof concerns in detail, writing: "My roof is fairly steep and it faces east and west. My brother has a north/south facing roof. Even worse, I have a dormer on the east side that shades half of that side of the roof from the sun."
One user who said they also live in New Jersey and have the same roof orientation argued that it "still pays," adding they "can say without a doubt that it is an amazing investment."
More background
Concern that anything less than a perfect roof will wipe out the financial benefits is a common reason people hesitate to install rooftop solar. In this case, the homeowner was reacting to a power bill that had skyrocketed.
For homeowners facing that kind of increase, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. You can try EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
Several factors separate the Texas example from the New Jersey situation. The brother's system has no battery backup and produces about $20 in electric bills, while the New Jersey homeowner is considering solar on a steep east-west roof with shading from a dormer — differences that can affect output, installer pricing, and payback timelines even before state-specific incentives are considered.
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What can be done?
For a homeowner with roof complications like these, comparison shopping becomes especially important. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. That kind of marketplace comparison can be particularly useful when shading, roof pitch, and panel placement all influence what installers recommend and charge.
Tools can also make the state-by-state picture easier to understand. EnergySage's solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with details on solar panel incentives for each state. Together, those resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Battery storage is another part of the equation, especially since the original poster noted that their brother doesn't have backup power. Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners interested in home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates, can also explore EnergySage.
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