The solar energy industry continues the trek to giving people inexpensive renewable energy for their homes. In fact, there were record increases in installations by the end of 2020.
If you’re someone still working from home, or you just want to lower your energy bill, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn how investing in solar energy today will save you money.
Solar Energy Versus Fossil Fuels
Let’s start with the basics. Solar energy is energy generated by the sun.
By harnessing that energy through the use of solar panels, and other conversion technologies, we can run our homes, vehicles, and devices off its energy.
What differentiates solar from its counterpart, fossil fuels, is its quantity and renewability. Fossil fuels, such as crude oil, coal, and natural gas, all come from finite sources in the earth.
In enough time, these fuel resources will run out. The sun, however, is on a lot longer of a clock, with estimates reaching over seven-billion years.
Best yet, solar energy is just there. Whenever the sun shines, that’s energy that can go towards your and your family’s needs.
Solar Panels Save Money
The typical U.S. family spends over $2,000 annually on utility bills. That’s the cost of the energy required for heating, cooling, all appliances, electronics, and devices.
That energy primarily comes from a utility company that is purchasing fossil fuels to power your home. If it isn’t clear already, solar energy can lower, if not completely remove those costs.
The cost is magnified if you own an electric car. And as the automotive industry veers towards all-electric vehicles by 2030, most of us will be needing a solar system in the next decade.
It sounds like a fantasy to not need to fill-up weekly at the pump. But the future is fast approaching and having a solar system installed will put you one step ahead.
You’ll have been saving hundreds, if not thousands, on utilities for years already.
Solar Panels Can Even Earn Money
South-facing homes in prime sunlight often generate enough solar for the entirety of their home, and then some.
Different utility companies offer different rates, values, and deals. However, most offer a credit-based system. This means that if you generate more energy than you use, they’ll credit your account.
This means if there are long stretches of cloudy days, or you use more energy than normal during winter months, you won’t have to pay for it. Get used to seeing negative bills!
Better yet, the solar energy you generated earlier in time doesn’t go to waste. It is sent back to the power grid, helping lower the energy bills of your community, or in some cases, those that live states away.
Isn’t Installing a Solar System Expensive?
Many will say that installation isn’t expensive in the long term because your lowered utilities will eventually make up the cost of installation, but even installations are getting more and more affordable.
First, solar panels are becoming increasingly more popular for residences and businesses alike. That means they’re making more of them.
And as solar technology is advancing, it’s getting easier and less expensive to manufacture them.
As demand increases, there’s a concern that costs for panels will go up. And it’s true, they very well might.
Installing them now comes with another benefit: tax credits. Installing a new solar system in 2021 means you can write off 26% of the cost from your taxes.
Essentially that means that for this year, you’re getting a quarter of the cost shaved off the total price of a solar package installation. In 2023, this benefit decreases to 22% of a tax credit.
And in 2024, the incentive is dropped completely with a 0% credit. Save yourself some money, and invest before then.
How Long Will a Solar System Last?
Most solar systems come with long warranties, with installers estimating over 20 years of service from your system. Imagine saving 20 years’ worth of utility bills.
Best yet, solar systems are maintenance-free. Panels sit atop your home like the shingles on your roof. Instead of just protecting your home, however, these panels power it.
How Much Money Will I Save?
There are a lot of factors to consider when determining the specific amount you’ll save on solar panel installation.
How much energy do you use per month? Knowing this, we can determine how many solar panels your home will need. In fact, the average home in California needs 25 solar panels to meet its needs.
Smaller homes generally need fewer panels, while larger homes need more. By reaching out to an experienced team, you’ll get the expertise to make sure everything is perfect.
Where is your home facing? Southern-facing homes here in California often reap the most reward from solar installations. However, that doesn’t mean the rest of us are left out of luck.
Technological improvements give us a lot of flex with our panels and ensure they get optimal sunshine no matter which direction your home faces.
There are several answers to ensure that your solar installation meets your needs now and going forward.
Invest in Solar and Save Money
Time is your ally when it comes to saving money. The sooner you invest in solar energy, the sooner you’ll see the rewards: lower utility bills, a lower carbon footprint, and a tax credit for the following year.
And with California being one of the sunniest states in all the US, it makes a lot of sense for you to start that investment as soon as possible.
Get a free solar quote today. We’ll walk you through the numbers of an initial solar system installation, and figure out much you’ll be saving annually as a result of it.