Installing Solar has so many benefits short and long term.

1. Reduced Electric Utility Bill – In most cases you see this benefit from day 1.
2. Federal Tax Credit – This will save you thousands of dollars toward the solar system.
3. Utility Bill Increases – Avoid rate increases with Solar and get your energy from the sun.
4. Home Value – Studies have shown homes with Solar sell for more money than without.
5. Incentives – Some state and local governments provide you with incentives to switch to solar.
6. Jobs – The local economy improves with jobs created by the Solar industry.

Reduce your carbon footprint and improve the health of those around you.

1. Reduces Air Pollution by dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). Greenhouse gases, which are produced when fossil fuels are burned, lead to rising global temperatures and climate change.
2. Reduce Water Usage. … Photovoltaic power plants consume only one hundredth of the volume of water used by fossil fuel plants for day-to-day operations!
3. Reduces Dependence On Nonrenewable Energy Sources. … Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will run out or will not be replenished in our lifetimes. Most non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels: coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Burning fossil fuels is harmful for the environment because they release particles that can pollute the air, water, and land.
4. Reduced Air Pollutants…The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that solar power would significantly reduce nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter emissions, all of which can cause health problems. NREL found that, among other health benefits, solar power results in fewer cases of chronic bronchitis, respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and lost workdays related to health issues.
5. Global Warming is a steady rise in Earth’s surface temperature and it occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants and greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface. Ongoing effects include rising sea levels due to thermal expansion and melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and warming of the ocean surface, leading to increased temperature stratification.

The benefits of solar energy are clear. Not only can you save money on your electric bills – you can also reduce your carbon footprint and improve the health of those around you

1. On average, solar panels raise a home’s value by 4.1% across the U.S., according to a new Zillow analysis of homes across the country— that’s a boost of $9,274 on a $226,300 home, according to the study.
2. The exact amount of any potential property value increase can depend upon your geographic location and the size of your installation. … The Appraisal Institute found that, for every $1 in annual electricity bill savings that solar panels provide, home resale values go up an average of $20.
3. Additionally, there is evidence homes with solar panels sell faster than those without. In 2008, California homes with energy efficient features and PV were found to sell faster than homes that consume more energy.
4. In most areas of the United States, a solar system will not increase the amount of property tax you pay.
5. Most rooftop solar energy systems are covered by standard homeowners’ policies, which doesn’t change your insurance plan. However, you may need to increase the amount of coverage on your home to account for the cost of the system which can then raise your premium.

The main practical distinction between buying and leasing a solar PV system is in ownership. If you buy a solar panel system, you own the system, either outright (if purchasing with cash) or after repaying your solar loan. If you lease the system or sign a power purchase agreement (PPA), a third party owns the solar panel system.

1. Purchasing a solar panel system with cash, or financing a purchase with a solar loan, is your best option when you…
   Want to maximize the financial benefits of installing a solar panel system, rather than solely benefitting from the system’s environmental benefits;
   • Are eligible to reduce your federal and state tax liability through the federal investment tax credit;
   • Are a business, and can realize tax benefits by treating the solar panel system as a depreciable asset; and/or
   • Want to increase the market value of your home by installing a solar panel system.
2. A solar lease or PPA is your best option when you…
   • Are primarily interested in using electricity generated from renewable resources, rather than maximizing the financial benefits of installing a solar panel system;
   • Want to avoid the responsibility of maintenance or repairs for a solar panel system;
   • Are ineligible for federal or state investment tax credits resulting from your investment in a solar panel system; and/or
   • Do not want to wait until the following year to receive the financial benefits of tax credits.
3. Savings/ROI Buy vs. Lease
   • BUY…..You can save between 40 percent and 70 percent on electricity costs over the lifetime of your solar panel system, depending on your property and the incentives in your state.
   • BUY….You receive free electricity for the life of the solar energy system (usually 25 to 30 years)
   • LEASE….You can save between 10 percent and 30 percent off the prices you pay your utility for electricity, depending on your property and the incentives in your state.
   • LEASE….Note that solar equipment is durable and carries warrantees, so you won’t have much maintenance to worry about.

Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy throughout the day and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes and businesses run on alternating current (AC) electricity, so the DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to convert it to usable AC electricity. At that point, you either use the electricity in your house or send it back to the electric grid.

The amount of power your solar energy system can generate is dependent on sunlight. As a result, your solar panels will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy and no energy at night. However, because of high electricity costs and financial incentives, solar is a smart decision even if you live in a cloudy city.

1. It is possible to go off the grid with a solar energy system that includes battery storage, but it will cost significantly more and is unnecessary for the majority of homeowners. To go off-the-grid with solar batteries is highly feasible but rarely cost-effective.
2. Being off-grid means you are not connected in any way to your grid’s power system or utility company. This is appealing because you are 100% self-sustaining your energy use.
3. Off-grid systems are often recommended for remote rural areas and farms where bringing utility power can be expensive and investing in off-grid solar power is much less expensive.
4. Off-grid solar systems operate from the stored energy in a battery bank. Solar panels are used to keep the battery bank charged. Your off-grid solar system has to be sized properly to meet your daily power needs and replace the stored energy pulled from the battery bank.
5. Most Solar System installations are still be connected to the grid. This allows you to draw from the grid when your system is not producing all of the power that you need, and, send power back to the grid when you produce more than you use.

Unless your solar energy system includes battery storage and you are fully off the grid, you will still receive a bill from your utility. However, you can dramatically reduce your bill or even cut the amount you owe to $0, with a solar panel system that matches your energy use.

Solar panel systems are made of durable tempered glass and require little to no maintenance for the 25 to 35 years that they will generate power. In most cases, you don’t even need to clean your solar panels regularly. If something does happen, most equipment manufacturers include warranties, although warranty terms depend on the company.

Call me, THE SOLAR MAN, and I will answer any and all of your questions courteously and professionally. (800) 519-1940.