Did you know that the cost of solar panel installation has dropped by over 80% in the last 10 years?
While solar panels used to be expensive, federal and local incentives have enabled solar installers to cut down the cost of installations. This has enabled over 2 million homes in the United States to make the switch to solar energy.
Finding the right solar panel installers in Orange County is important, as they can help you through the entire process. This includes navigating local regulations and incentives to get the best deal on your solar panel installation.
Interested in learning more about solar panels? Here’s everything you need to know about residential solar panels and the benefits of switching to solar.
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How Do Solar Panels Work?
Solar panels are specially designed panels that are installed directly on your roof. These panels then absorb sunlight to generate an electric current. Solar systems are connected to a solar battery. This stores the electricity before distributing it throughout your home.
This battery is important as it enables the system to supply your home with electricity even when the sun is down.
Why Are Solar Panels a Good Idea In Orange County?
Solar panels rely on the sun to generate electricity. While there is a solar battery connected to the system, having consistent sunshine is the most effective way to get off the grid.
On average, there are around 205 sunny days in the United States each year. Orange County gets 278 sunny days every year. This means that you will generate more electricity from the sun, saving even more on your energy usage.
Why Should You Invest In Solar Panels?
From reducing your carbon footprint to future-proofing your home, installing solar panels in your home comes with a few notable benefits. Here are some of the most noteworthy benefits of installing solar panels.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Solar panels harness the endless power of the sun. While solar panels won’t let you go completely off the grid, they can help you reduce your dependency on traditional forms of electricity. This can help reduce your carbon footprint, helping you and your family live a greener lifestyle.
Increase Your Property Value
The price of installing solar panels has decreased over the last few years, and they still help increase your property value. New homeowners have made it known that they look for homes that have solar panels installed.
Homeowners know that a home with solar will cost less every month to maintain, and likely garner a higher resale value. Because of this, they will pay more for a home with a high-quality solar panel system already installed.
Future-Proof Your Home
Technology evolves at a very rapid pace. Installing solar panels is a great long-term investment as it can future-proof your home. If you plan to pass your home down to your children or sell it one day, having solar panels can add long-term value to the entire property.
Solar panel and other sustainable technologies have become the norm. Homes without solar panels, non smart homes and other dated types of residences are now perceived as outdated. Investing in new technology for your home is a great way to further improve its value.
Reduce Your Energy Bill
The main selling point for modern solar panels is that they can save you money. Even though you won’t be able to go completely off the grid, solar panels can help supplement your energy usage.
There are also solar-powered lights and accessories you can install around your home. This can work off-grid to further reduce your reliance on the grid.
How Much Can Solar Panels Save You?
As mentioned above, the main selling point for most homeowners is that solar panels can save you money. The amount of money you can save on the size of your solar system. However, the average household can expect to save around $1,500 every year on their utilities.
California gets a lot of sun. Due to this, many experts suggest that the average solar system will be able to generate around 8,500 kWh of electricity every year. This translates to the average household saving around $2,600 every year on their electric bills.
Financing Solar Panel Installation in Orange County, CA
Installing solar panels is a major investment. While you can finance the entire system upfront, there are also a few financing options available. You can even get in-house financing from some of the best solar panel installers Orange County, CA.
However, there are incentives to help reduce the actual cost of solar installation. Here’s a quick guide on the federal and local incentives.
Federal Incentives
The federal solar incentive is given as a direct tax credit. This program was extended so that homeowners can get a 26% tax credit for systems installed between 2020 and 2022. This tax credit gets reduced to 22% in 2023.
Local Incentives
There are also quite a few local incentives to help further reduce the cost of switching to solar. This includes the Single-Family Solar Affordable Solar Housing Program (SASH), Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing Program (MASH), and the CSI-Thermal Program.
The best way to find out what you qualify for is to partner with a professional and trustworthy solar installer in Orange County. Solar professionals will let you know what programs you qualify for when doing your on-site inspection.
How To Install Solar Panels
The solar installation process is incredibly simple. Here’s a quick breakdown of the entire process.
Step 1: Get a Quote
The first step is to get an initial quote. This quote will look into where your home is and if your home qualifies for additional local incentives. The initial evaluation will also guide you toward the correct size of the solar system to install.
Step 2: Find The Best Solar Panel Installers
Once you know what kind of solar system you’re looking to install, take your time and look through the different solar installers in your area. You can contact different solar companies so that you can compare their services, prices, and maintenance plans.
It’s important to make sure that the solar company you choose has great customer service. This is helpful, as you will be able to call them if you have any issues with your system in the future.
Step 3: Get an On-Site Survey
After deciding on a solar installer, the next step is to have an on-site survey. This is where a professional team will come to your home to plan out the entire installation. They will explain the entire process to you so that you know what to expect.
Step 4: Solar Panel Installation
After the planning is complete, we will set an installation date. This is when the professional team will come to your home and install the entire solar panel system for you. They will come with all the equipment, so you don’t have to do anything at all.
They will install the panels on the roof and do all the wiring to make sure the system is connected.
Step 5: Activate Your Solar System
Once everything is set up, they will test and activate the entire system. Sometimes, this will include some internal rewiring. However, the entire process will be done for you.
Step 6: Check If You Qualify for Net Metering
The last step is to check if you qualify for net metering. Net Metering is an electrical billing mechanism that allows you to generate electricity and supply the excess energy to the grid. Essentially, this will enable you to reduce your energy bill further.
Southern California Edison has enabled net metering in a number of cities around California. According to the latest information from them, net metering is allowed in Orange County. This means that you can ask for the system to be installed and activated for you.
Make The Switch To Solar With The Best Solar Panel Installers Orange County
Switching to green energy doesn’t have to cost you money, it can save you money!
Solar panels can help you reduce your carbon footprint while also saving you money every month on your utility bills. With government incentives, making the switch to solar has never been more affordable.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about why you should switch to solar, feel free to contact us. If you would like to know how much solar panel installers Orange County would cost, book a no-obligation consultation with one of our consultants today!
