If you mentioned solar-panel installations to the average person about 10 years ago, the idea was often met with incredulity. The components were too expensive for most budgets. Currently, solar panels are dotting the landscape in incredible numbers. You might wonder if solar panels make sense for your household or business. Take a look at the top reasons why you should look into this sustainable energy.
1. Skyrocketing Energy Costs
Solar panels are smart alternatives to local electricity providers because they give you cheaper energy bills than before. In fact, properly installed panels might create a negative amount on your energy bill. Sell this extra power back to the electric company. You end up controlling your costs each month. For most people, this reason alone is enough to encourage a panel investment.
2. Saturated in Sunlight
It makes sense to invest in solar panels when your home is nearly always sunny. A west- or south-facing home is a good example of a prime property for panels. You’ll capture the sun for most of the day.
Your climate also plays a role. An area that’s often cloud free is the best location. Be sure to prune back any plants that might cover the rooftop’s view of the sun. Overgrown trees can be cut back to reveal plenty of sunlight for the panels.
3. Understanding Your Environmental Impact
Coming to the realization that you’re placing a lot of pressure on the local environment is a valid reason to install solar panels. By turning on your lights or appliances, your home requests electricity from the local supplier. In turn, they burn fossil fuels in order to create this electricity. Fossil fuels create pollution that ultimately impacts the environment.
Add panels to the home, and you aren’t contributing to fossil-fuel use. Sunlight is completely sustainable.
4. Obtaining Regional Rebates
It makes sense to install solar panels when the city, county, state or federal government offers rebates. Many municipalities encourage installations because it takes strain off of local resources. They want to improve their electrical grid by helping you afford solar panels. The rebates may come in the form of tax deductions or reimbursements on the installation cost. Perform a little research in this area in order to get the most out of the available rebates.
5. Replacing the Rooftop
A great time to add solar panels to the home is when you’re replacing the rooftop. Asphalt shingles are the most common material used for rooftops, and panels connect easily into these materials. You don’t want to add panels to a roof that’s old either. A new roof means that the shingles and panels can be installed almost at the same time. They remain in place for decades, which saves you money on any labor associated with the rooftop or panels.
Property values often rise as a result of a solar-panel installation. Keep this fact in mind as you consider this investment. Your home might sell for thousands more in the near future as solar power becomes the norm.
