It’s no secret that we’re transitioning toward sustainable energy, and solar is at the forefront. Around 4% of U.S. homes now have solar panels, which could account for up to 40% of electricity as soon as 2030.
Sure, but that doesn’t mean that it’s better, does it? We have you covered if you’re skeptical about adding solar panels to your home. Let’s talk about some of the advantages of solar panels for both the planet and your wallet!
Affordable Energy
Our species went from strictly dependent on fossil fuels to pointing a piece of glass at the sun overnight. Obviously, there’s more nuance than that, but that’s likely how historians will tell the story of our transition toward solar energy. Between 2009 and 2019, the cost of solar panels dropped by over 80%, and the costs continued to decrease as efficiency increased.
Not only is it relatively cheap to install, but you must remember that sunlight is free. There’s no drilling, processing, or transportation involved. Once solar panels are installed on your roof, you can continue generating free electricity for an average of 25 to 30 years with proper maintenance.
Solar panels can dramatically reduce or even eliminate your energy bill if you use a lot of electricity. Don’t worry about bad weather either, as any excess electricity you generate during the summer will offer credits for you to save on electricity during the winter, which your utility must accept.
Believe it or not, these aren’t the only ways you can save money with solar panels.
Tax Incentives
If the installation costs still daunt you after the unprecedented price reductions of the last couple of decades, we have good news for you. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act passed in August of 2022, you can now receive a 30% tax credit for new solar panel installations from the federal government.
On top of that, most states offer their own incentives, along with some municipalities. You can look for state incentives where you live to see how much you can save. Most are based on installation costs, and some require income eligibility limits.
Regardless, saving 30% on installation costs makes solar panels a no-brainer for homeowners, especially if you use a lot of electricity. The cost savings last for decades, and installation is cheaper than ever before.
Energy Independence
Solar panels are the first step toward energy independence if you plan on retiring, moving to a remote location, or don’t want to worry about strains on the grid. Once you achieve that, you can dramatically lower, or even eliminate, your ongoing living costs at home, which can help stretch your finances much further.
Fortunately, those same tax incentives apply to battery storage and other energy-efficient technology like heat pumps. Still, solar panels are by far the best first step toward this goal. Wind power is far more expensive, and energy storage still requires energy generation.
Environmental Benefits
Solar panels create zero emissions when they generate electricity. Throughout their lifetime, there are minimal carbon emissions during the manufacturing process, as with all metalwork, but unlimited clean energy from there.
Of course, this is why solar panels are at the forefront of the transition away from fossil fuels and toward a sustainable, clean-energy future.
Moreover, this directly impacts the health of your household, your community, and our planet. It reduces particulate matter that we breathe, lowers the warming effect on the planet, and reduces your carbon footprint more than any other investment, including electric vehicles.
Low Maintenance
Other energy systems require a lot of maintenance. Even if you don’t realize it, you pay for it through your energy bill.
You should schedule a routine cleaning and inspection for your panels every year, but beyond that, there’s very little required to maintain them. They should continue generating ample electricity as long as they remain free from obstructions, cracks, and serious scratches.
However, if you notice a dramatic change to your energy bill or any damage to your panel, you can always contact your solar company. Your warranty will cover many issues, so you may not have to pay anything for maintenance, especially in the first five years. If you choose our solar installation services, you can even take advantage of our industry-leading 25-year warranty!
Increasing Home Value
Due to the many benefits mentioned above, solar panels are a major selling point for home buyers. Therefore, solar panels are a great way to add value to your home and even sell it faster when you decide to do so.
On average, every dollar your solar panels save you on electricity will add $20 of value to your home. This can quickly add up to significant increases in the value of your home, depending on the size of your solar array.
For most homes with the average solar array, the value increases add up to around a 4% increase. If you plan on reselling your home within the next 10 to 15 years, now is the time to consider investing in solar panels!
Enjoy the Advantages of Solar Panels for Yourself
Now that you know some of the key advantages of solar panels, you can see why they’re such a worthwhile investment. They’re far less expensive than they used to be, save you money, improve health and sustainability efforts, and increase your net worth. All of this combined make investing in solar panels an easy choice.
Stay up to date with our latest solar energy news, and contact us with any questions or to get a quote on installation today!
