It’s a new year, and for home owners that means new projects around the house. One of the most popular home improvement projects of the last decade is the installation of solar panels. In fact, just since 2008, solar installations in the United States have increased nearly 20 times, from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) to an estimated 30 GW today. That’s enough electricity to power the equivalent of 5.7 million average American homes! If you are considering adding solar panels to the roof of your home, here are a few things to know about the process:
Solar Programs – Many municipalities across the United States now offer discounts and rebates to home owners that choose to install solar systems to the roofs of their home. It is always a great idea to look at your utility companies website or give them a call to see what you might qualify for. In many cases what you will see is assistance in the purchasing cost, discounts on your utility bill, or more!
Finding a Solar Panel Company – Since 2010, the United States has seen a 123% increase in the number of jobs in the solar sector, with over 200,000 solar workers existing now. What that means for you, the consumer, is that you will likely see more competition between solar companies in your area that can lead to lower prices! When you are searching for a solar company, make sure to ask about their process, pricing, maintenance schedules, and warranty details so that you truly know what you are buying.
Solar Panel Installation and Cost – For many people who just look at the price tag of an average solar panel system, the amount can seem incredibly high. However, the average cost of solar panels has actually dropped more than 60% since 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. It’s important to remember that your solar system will eventually pay for itself over time, even if it takes 6-10 years. That is because you are saving money on your typical electric bill because you are lighting, heating, and running your home on the energy of the sun rather than the energy coming from the power plants. Ask the solar panel company you choose to give you a cost breakdown over time!
There are so many reasons that people choose to have solar panels installed on their roofs, from wanting to protect the environment to just wanting cheaper electric bills. Whatever your reason may be, remember to do a bit of research, contact more than one solar panel company, and understand what the impact of solar panels will be on your home system. You just might be surprised at what you find out!
