7 Reasons Why Installing a Solar Energy System Is a Smart Move

Like many American homeowners, you may consider having a solar energy system installed on your home’s roof. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, it’s an increasingly popular option, with over 2 million installations operating around the country. This number is set to increase over the coming years.

If you’re undecided about setting yourself up with solar energy, here are seven reasons it’s a bright idea.

1. It’s Become More Affordable

Many people choose not to install a solar energy system because of the perceived costs involved. While it’s still a significant financial investment, the price of these systems has dropped dramatically due to increased popularity and more competition in the manufacturing market. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) has dropped by around 50% since 2014 the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.

2. It Has an Amazing ROI

Every home improvement project has an average ROI, which stands for return on investment. Solar energy systems have a fantastic ROI because they add value to your property and effectively pay for themselves with reduced electricity costs within eight years.

After this point, the money you save on energy costs pushes the ROI over 100 percent and increases exponentially over the system’s functional lifespan, which can be up to 30 years with regular maintenance and service. Few, if any, other home improvement projects can offer such a significant financial gain.

3. You’ll Get Financial Incentives

With a nationwide focus on renewable energy, many states offer tax incentives or rebates that encourage people to install solar energy on their property. For example, in California, several state-funded tax breaks and financial incentives can be used to reduce the initial outlay for the system. Many counties in California also have local incentives, particularly if you’re in a lower tax bracket or a single-income household.

There is also a federal solar tax credit known as the Investment Tax Credit that essentially gives you around 26 percent of the cost of your solar system back. Finally, California also has many net metering systems which allow you to sell your unused solar energy to utility companies in return for credit on your electricity bill.

4. It’s Superior To Electricity

In California, having an independent and reliable solar energy system is vastly superior to relying on electricity from a utility company. As a result, California has some of the highest energy costs in the country.

California is also facing a likely energy crisis that may force homes that rely on their energy supply from utility companies to be without power during high energy usage times, such as during scorching weather when air-conditioning use spikes.

5. California Is Ideal

Another excellent reason to install a solar energy system is that the state of California is ideal for this type of system. California has more days of sunshine each year than most other states. This means it’s a perfect location for making the most of a solar system and reducing your need for utility company electricity.

6. It’s More Reliable

The solar energy industry has come a long way since solar panels started appearing on the roofs of American homes. Many innovations have improved the durability and lifespan of solar systems and their growing reliability as a power source.

One of the main reasons solar energy is more reliable is the invention of solar storage batteries. They allow your system to store the power generated from the sun during daytime hours so you can use it at night. Before the development of these batteries, homeowners had to rely on electricity supplied by utility companies in the evenings, which significantly mitigated any savings made on electricity bills.

7. You’re Helping the Environment

Another crucial reason to install a solar energy system is the positive effect that you’ll have on the environment. Most electricity that utility companies generate comes from the burning of fossil fuels. This has resulted in a buildup of carbon in the upper atmosphere that experts believe has led to global warming, climate change, and localized air pollution.

Solar energy has no harmful or environmentally damaging by-products and is considered a clean and renewable energy source. While the production of PV panels is not yet carbon neutral, the carbon produced in the manufacturing process is insignificant compared to the lack of carbon produced over the solar system’s lifespan.

If you think a solar energy system might be ideal for your home, contact the helpful and experienced team at Derek Sawyer’s Smart Energy Heating & Air. We supply, install, and service high-quality solar systems, and we’d love to help you solve your energy needs.