Solar Panels Bring Big Benefits

Tapping into solar energy has become increasingly popular in recent years, so it may be time for you to consider following the trend. Not only can solar panels reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources, they may also save you a great deal of money if you install now.

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

With natural resources being depleted, it makes sense to look for an energy alternative that has minimal impact on the environment. Installing solar panels on your home can help you shrink your carbon footprint by reducing your reliance on traditional electricity. Utility providers typically burn natural gas or coal in order to generate energy. Some harness water resources by damming or rerouting them in order to create hydroelectricity. Using these energy sources has been shown to disrupt ecosystems, and the earth’s supply of fossil fuels and water are not infinite.

You will be making a better choice for the environment if you convert your home to solar energy. Sunlight can never be depleted, and far less damage is likely to be done to nature if we move away from using up the earth’s resources.

Taking Control of Your Energy

Switching to solar is not just better for the earth, it can also extend the life of the utility system. The nation’s power grid was built at a time when there was far less demand, and it’s not aging well. Power outages are on the rise, and rate increases are often enacted to pay for system upgrades. By installing your own solar panels, you can become less reliant on public utilities. The energy your home generates during peak sunlight hours may be used immediately or stored in a whole house battery back-up system so it is available as needed. Even if your city faces a power outage, solar storage will provide you with reliable access to electricity.

Cutting Costs on Installation

By going solar now, you will not just have more control over your energy usage but you will also have more control over your costs. In recent years the price tag on solar panels has decreased significantly. There are also more options to lease or finance a system, so your initial outlay can be minimized. In addition to lower overall costs, there is currently a federal Solar Investment Tax Credit that can significantly offset the price of installing a system. While the ITC is available to anyone who owns their system outright, it is scheduled to expire in 2021. You should plan to install soon to maximize your savings.

Impacting Value for Years To Come

For many, the decreasing cost of installation is appealing but it is the long-term value of going solar that will probably be the biggest persuader. By obtaining your electricity from the public utility grid you’ve likely become accustomed to consistent rate hikes and even pricing that rises as usage increases. Because solar panels often produce 100 percent of the electricity your home requires, you may be able to move entirely off the grid and cut your energy expense to nearly zero.

Some solar systems are so efficient they generate more energy than your home requires. This excess can be stored for use during periods of lower production, and in some cases may provide tremendous value by being sold back to the utility company for rebates on your account.

In addition to providing savings that start adding up the moment they are installed, solar panels are often seen as a big perk to future buyers. A solar energy system may not just save you money month after month, it can also increase the value of your home when it is time to sell.

Making the decision to install solar panels in the near future is likely to provide both immediate and long-lasting benefits. It’s an affordable addition to your home that can have a positive impact on the environment as well as your pocketbook.