In the first quarter of 2021, America made the investment of inserting 5 GWdc (gigawatts, direct current) of solar capacity throughout the nation.
To put that into perspective, that is enough energy to supply roughly 18.6 million American homes with power.
Annually, hundreds of thousands of panels are installed across the country, leaving both businesses and homeowners delighted with energy savings.
These installations aren’t just in solar farms or on the buildings of tech companies, but on the homes of regular everyday Americans.
Many people are turning to solar panels because of the plethora of advantages they provide. Therefore, if you’re looking for a solar panel installation company so you too can get in on the action, then keep reading.
The Benefits of Solar Panels on Your Home
Some people are still in the dark, asking themselves, “Are solar panels worth it?” And the truth is, there are many benefits to having solar panels installed on our homes.
Some of these benefits are clear and obvious, and others are a little more subtle. Let’s look at a few of them here, so we’re a little more certain of some of these advantages.
1. Reduced Carbon Footprint
With climate change and global warming accelerating every year, solar panels are an effective way for all of us to do our part. It’s clear that we as a society, collectively, have to cooperate and be adaptable.
Solar panels can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 5 to 10 times per module of energy compared to the alternatives (natural gas and coal).
That’s an astonishing amount that perfectly illustrates how solar panels are a cut above our traditional methods of power usage.
Introducing this solar investment could change everything and get us on the right track as a society.
2. Lower Energy Bills
Depending on location, the cost savings of energy bills are going to vary. For example, living in Florida will yield lower energy bills than living in Alaska, for the obvious reason of the amount of sunlight that each state receives.
But even then, as long as panels are properly installed, we can still experience solar energy savings, regardless of the state we reside in — which is something we should all try to take advantage of.
Yes, sunny days will generate more power, and as a result, more savings. But solar panels will still continue to extract energy even when cloudy weather is imminent.
Earn Rebates and Tax Credits
The cost of solar is something that once we look into it, is well worth it. Because once installed, we actually get paid by our solar panels!
Being responsible has never sounded so good!
For starters, we receive 30 percent of the entire cost of the system back once federal income taxes are filed. What this entails is that if we spend $30,000 on a solar panel installation, then we’ll get back $9000 in return.
This along with the SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) and the expense of installing solar panels can be reduced by as much as half.
Moreover, this investment has a graceful payback period of about three and a half years. The solar panels themselves retain a warranty of about 10 years and a functional life of an impressive 25 years.
This means it will produce free electricity, as well as additional credits for more than 20 years! Not bad, right? That’s the power of being self-sufficient!
Furthermore, if you can’t afford to make the initial investment, installers offer another option. There is what is referred to as no-cost installation.
They will front you the cash for the panels, install them, and then charge based on electricity usage at a lower rate. How convenient is that?
Begin Saving Immediately
When it comes to solar benefits, this is certainly one of the most appealing. Yearly energy expenses can jump up into the thousands.
In fact, the annual costs of the average American for energy consumption tops out at $3,891.
Solar power has the capacity to dispense with these costs the moment the panels are installed.
You can begin seeing your solar energy savings immediately and that is guaranteed to please everyone.
What Is The Cost of Solar Panels?
Many of us are left wondering, “How much are solar panels?” Sure, we understand the benefits, but how much do solar panels actually cost?
While installing prices certainly will require an upfront investment, it will more than pay for itself down the line.
Furthermore, the cost will also vary based on the solar panel installation company we choose, as well as other factors, such as our location, the size of our home, how many panels we want, etc.
But once it’s all said and done, the medium price for the installment of solar panels is about $12,000.
If that’s a bit of a stretch, there are also smaller systems that can be installed for as little as $5000. And on the other end of the spectrum, there are also more high-priced options that can be upwards of $50,000 or more.
So when it comes to the cost of solar, we definitely have options.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed?
The answer to this question will be determined by the specific energy needs of your household. Many homeowners want the goal of being completely self-reliant for their energy needs.
Meaning, to have their panels produce enough energy where they no longer rely on a company or any external source to supply it for them.
To completely terminate the electric bill altogether, we would need to produce 100% of the electricity to sustain our needs and run our household. How ecstatic would that feel??
But in order to do that, it could take anywhere between 25 to 35 solar panels.
Of course, there are other variables that can affect this number. However, this is a good rough estimate.
For a more detailed analysis, we can use a satellite photo of the rooftop of our home to do a more reliable calculation.
Based on the square footage of our rooftop, it will be easy to see how many panels will fit, and therefore, we can get a more accurate number of exactly how many panels will be needed to achieve energy independence.
When we invest in solar, we take our lives — and our savings — to another level! This is how we secure our energy needs and create a more stable future.
Industry Updates on Solar Panels for the Month of September
Everything is changing at such a rapid pace these days, and the world of solar energy is no exception. The solar energy industry is constantly being inundated with a flood of technological advances and sudden changes.
Here are a few of the latest developments you’ll want to be up to date on:
Over 700 Solar Companies Requested Congress for a Long-Lasting ITC (Input Tax Credits) Extension (September.8/2021)
Close to 750 companies from the American solar supply chain sent letters to Congress asking for action on programs that promote clean energy distribution to assist in the fight against global warming.
This letter was a part of a campaign headed by SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) to bolster the revelatory solar and clean energy programs in the federal economic development constitution.
The ITC acts as the primary program driver for the American solar industry. The industry is now valued at over $25 billion and employs over 231,000 workers in valuable, in-demand jobs in every one of the 50 states.
September Solar Program Snapshots (9/7/2021)
A $1 trillion economic development bill was passed by the U.S. senate. The bill holds provisions for the storage of energy development, as well as power grid modifications.
All of which would be needed to enhance solar distribution. This bill is to make its way to the fine House of Representatives, where it may then be refused unless, of course, the Senate decides to pass a detached $3.5 trillion program bill come fall.
The Solar Panel International Event Canceled for 2021 (9/3/2021)
A statement was released on Friday, September 3, by SETS (Solar Energy Trade Shows) that the landfall of Hurricane Ida left officials no choice but to cancel Solar Power International. The event was set to go from September 20 to 23.
But unfortunately, the monstrous Hurricane had left a good portion of New Orleans without any power.
Additionally, the restoration of electricity is expected to be weeks, as the city is now declared a disaster zone.
Refunds will be issued via email with instructions about how attendees can be reimbursed for their ticket money.
Clearloop Starts Construction on Solar Project in Tennessee Financed by Small Businesses (9/2/2021)
The corporation of Clearloop is working hard alongside big as well as small businesses to minimize their carbon footprint. They are doing this by broadening access to pure energy and stimulating profitable development.
Every one of Clearloop’s allies in this venture will get carbon credits for backing their part of the undertaking.
Clearloop’s structure allows for smaller businesses to contribute a one-time payment that is directly connected to the amount of carbon they wish to reclaim.
Are You Ready to Choose Your Solar Panel Installation Company?
As you can see, this industry is continuously evolving and always growing with the times. Furthermore, solar energy is something that has tremendous advantages for all of us.
The benefits of solar are numerous and far-reaching, not just for us and our everyday lives, but also for the environment as well as the planet that we call home.
So if you’re looking to go solar, and need a reliable solar panel installation company, then look no further, get in touch with us for a free quote!
