Solar panels and solar energy are starting to grow in popularity as they become more accessible to the average homeowner, with additional benefits to mediate the costs. While the initial cost is the most significant factor to consider when starting research into solar panel installation, there are a few others we would like to help you consider. Solar energy in your home is a substantial long-term investment. Still, so many other factors go into it that benefit not only your family’s finances but also the planet. So, why choose solar?
Solar technologies use daily sunlight to generate electrical power and energy through photovoltaic panels, also known as PV. Solar energy is renewable and plentiful as a resource, especially if you live in a mainly sunny state like Florida, Georgia & Texas. As the cost of using and installing this technology decreases, more people decide to leap solar.
The biggest bonus is saving money on your monthly utilities, but did you know you could make money from solar? You will also see that those who upgrade to solar panels potentially own an electric vehicle. Using a solar panel power system is a double benefit when using it to charge an electric vehicle, not to mention that the environmental footprint goes down to an almost zero waste product. Environmentally speaking, using solar panels to power your home will help lower your environmental footprint by reducing your electricity usage from the power companies.
Cost Savings with Solar Energy
One of the largest reasons for installing solar panels on your home is to lower your monthly utility bills. However, before you can get there, the first thing you need to evaluate is the initial cost of installation. Solar energy is capital intensive, and the highest costs are when you are ready to purchase the technology and have it installed.
Yes, you will need the PV panels, but you will also need an inverter, cables, wiring, plus any battery options you may want to consider. When deciding to add solar to your home, it is important to work with an efficient and reputable solar company to request a quote because they will not only help you determine how many solar panels you need but also install all of the equipment necessary for you to make this exciting change in your home.
When determining the number of panels needed to run your home, the biggest question is, what can a 2000 Watt solar panel run? When working with a solar company, they can help you find the proper balance of all your home’s appliances and power usage to calculate what your home needs, panel-wise, to run effectively.
Installing your solar system and knowing how much you can receive as a tax credit for making this step towards clean energy is important. Many states provide a tax credit for making this change, which can help you determine if the installation cost is worth the change to solar. Another cost-saving technique with solar energy is net metering.
Net metering is when you use less power during sunlight hours than you generated and sell back that power to the utility company for a credit on your power usage when you do not generate solar power. The financial return of net metering varies by state and utility company, so be sure to look into it per your state’s systems.
Shine a Little Light on Our Planet
Environmental is the second main reason people are changing to solar energy for their homes. Traditional electricity is still produced by burning coal and natural gasses. By switching to solar power, you can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and our carbon footprint by letting the sun shine down on your home.
If you own an electric vehicle, switching to solar energy can also be a major draw. Owning an electric vehicle is a huge step towards lowering your carbon footprint, but using a solar panel for your electric vehicle charging doubles your savings! This will change the number of panels you need and the type of plug-in for your vehicle. There are more efficient plug-in options for your vehicle that specialists can help you install so that charging happens quicker and more efficiently than standard plug-ins.
Around-the-Clock Power
When installing solar panels on your home’s rooftop, you can consider getting a battery system. While it will up the initial cost of your solar energy system, it will be cheaper than adding it later. It’s best to consider it during the initial installation. You need the sun to be shining to generate power, but with a battery system installed in your home, you would be blissfully unaware when your neighborhood loses power during an outage or a storm.
Most solar systems supplement their power from utility companies, but with a battery system, you will have around-the-clock power. This is especially useful in the evenings when electricity is more likely to be expensive due to the demand and the usage time. Plus, this will also protect you from any electricity prices from the utility company.
This level of self-sufficiency will bring you closer to an off-the-grid status, keeping you from rising electricity prices, and when the power goes out, yours will be the one with the lights on. Also, being capable of monitoring your energy usage, you will be able to track the amount of energy your home uses with precision and clarity.
There are additional tax credits and incentives for having battery power, both on state and federal levels. Make sure that you research the Solar Energy Department to fully ensure that you are aware of and receive any additional incentives that are provided.
Sunny Solar
Solar power can be a complicated issue to tackle. Still, fully understanding the benefits, initial costs, technological needs, and even long-term maintenance will help your families and our planet. Sunshine is our most renewable, beautiful, and accessible resource. We can all harness its benefits without harming our planet.
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