Discover 10 Benefits of Solar Panels

The Top 10 Benefits of Solar Panels

Why are so many people investing in solar systems? Take a look at what happens when this type of renewable energy is added to your home or business.

1. It’s Renewable Energy

Solar energy is renewable energy. That means there is no limit to the amount of sunlight available to people. It doesn't use fossil fuels, but you can still power your home with it.

Solar power comes from the sun. It does not come from a limited amount of fossil fuels and materials stored on the planet that are not easy to replace. That’s a very important factor to keep in mind. It means that, unlike the use of fossil fuels, there’s no limit to the amount of solar energy available to power homes, businesses, and day-to-day needs.

With solar installation, you are able to take full advantage of the sun’s rays. No matter what happens with natural gas availability or climate change, you can count on the sun’s energy to be there to keep your home operational.

2. Solar Panels Do Not Have Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Protecting the planet is a very important reason to make the move to solar systems. Solar panels do not have greenhouse gas emissions, like what comes from the use of coal to make electricity or the use of natural gas to fuel your home's heating. Instead, energy production comes from the sun and is a form of clean energy.

As a direct result of this, when you install solar power, your home no longer uses fossil fuels that pump emissions out as you use them. That's better for the environment as it contributes to cleaner air. Moreso, it lowers your carbon footprint, or the negative impact your home and actions have on the environment as a whole.

Solar power systems, then, are an excellent way to protect the planet from greenhouse gas emissions as well as toxins that pollute water reserves. It also helps to minimize the need to use limited fossil fuels.

3. Solar Energy Means Lowering Your Electricity Bill

For many people, one of the core reasons to install a solar power system is because it can reduce their need to depend on the utility grid for their power. How much are your electricity bills? What if most of your energy came from your solar system instead? This would reduce your electric bill to a very low level, even eliminating it in some situations.

With energy costs rising, it is very important for property owners to look for ways to reduce their costs. To save money, you could keep turning off lights in your home and keeping the thermostat set just right, but going solar will make the biggest difference in your electric bills. For many people, that means having the same overall access to the electricity they need without the cost.

4. Sell Back Excess Electricity to the Grid

What happens if you live in an area where there is a lot of sunlight? In these situations, you may generate excess electricity from your solar panel system. When this happens, you may be able to sell that excess electricity back to the utility provider in your area. This process is called net metering, and it could mean a further lowering of your electric bills.

Net metering is an excellent way to reduce your costs for electricity without limiting your access to the power you need. Even though net metering isn't always available, when it is, it is one of the best reasons to invest because it can help most homes pay for the cost of installing solar panels in the first place. In other words, solar reduces electricity bills and may even lead to a credit on your account.

5. You can use solar even when you don't live in a location with lots of sunlight

When you meet with solar installers, you will learn more about how well solar panels will work on your home. Many factors impact the overall benefits you'll have, such as the direction your roof faces and the overall risk of a shady area. Most homes in the U.S. will benefit from solar power because they get enough of the sun's energy, either in direct sunlight or in indirect sunlight. What does that mean for you?

Let’s say you live in an area that’s often cloudy and lacks a lot of sunlight. There is still solar energy hitting your home that modern solar systems can collect and turn into energy for you. Even if you live in an area where the skies are often dark due to storms, you will still generate electricity to power your home.

When your solar panels are working at their most efficient level, they will store excess electricity that you do not need immediately so that you can have access to it later. This is done through solar batteries. Battery storage is a common component of some of the best systems available today. The solar panel will create the electricity you need and store it in the battery until you need to use it, such as when the sun goes down for the day or when it is too cloudy to collect enough solar energy.

You don’t have to fear being without electricity, though. If you need more solar energy because there are a lot of very dark days, you can still use the electricity grid. That means you can pull power from it in these situations. Though this will increase the cost of your electric bill, it is still an excellent way to meet your home's needs on days when producing more electricity is not an option.

6. Solar Energy Systems Are Affordable

While you may be focused on lowering energy bills and adding clean energy to your home, there's still concern about the cost of a solar system like this. Take a deep breath, knowing that solar power is now more affordable than ever. Solar panels cost a significant amount of money—that's not to be overlooked—but over the last decade, those costs have fallen by as much as 70%, making solar energy more accessible than ever.

To determine the cost of solar panels for your specific needs, set up a consultation to talk to a professional about the cost of installing solar panels on your home specifically. You will get a quote for the solar panels' cost as well as a rundown of what your needs are (based on your electricity usage, location, and the amount of power you decide to purchase). A solar company, like SmartSolar, can provide you with a very specific price.

Also, note that there may be ways to reduce the upfront cost of adding solar panels. For example, leasing and solar loans are available to help reduce the overall cost of solar even further. You will see energy savings, too. Over time, a solar panel's worth will increase as the system becomes capable of helping you reduce your electricity needs.

7. Tax Credits Further Reduce Those Costs

It’s also helpful to know that there are solar tax credits available that can help you lower your costs even further. That includes a federal tax credit. This does not make the solar panel system free, but it does reduce your costs significantly further.

You may also qualify for tax credits from the city or state you live in. These programs and incentives change often, so you will need to pay close attention to them. They could expire over time as well.

8. Use It For Many Needs

Solar power is beneficial in many ways. For example, if you have dreamed of living off the grid, using solar power is a must, and it can be done no matter where you live. You can use solar power to generate power to purify water or keep your home heated. You can use solar for just about anything you need.

Solar panel systems can be designed to accommodate most application needs. That includes offering options that are ideal for large-scale applications, like powering your warehouse or business, and smaller solutions for homes.

9. Solar Panel Systems Last a Long Time and Need Little Maintenance

The solar panel system you invest in could be affordable now, last for two to three decades, and require very little actual maintenance from you during that time. That is one of the most compelling reasons to switch to solar energy.

Many solar panel systems also include long-term warranties, which can help to defray the costs of any significant and covered repairs that may be required. You also do not have to worry about any type of maintenance or repair work for most solar panel systems.

10. Become Energy Independent

You can easily get electricity from the sun, and unlike traditional electricity, it doesn't cost anything. If you are worried about what the future may hold in terms of excessive energy consumption and rising electric costs, you may be ready to make a move away from the grid. Furthermore, because most home solar systems do not rely on complicated methods or electricity to operate, the system can continue to work for you, providing a renewable energy source even when storms knock out traditional power to the area.

Find Out What Solar Could Mean For You

SmartSolar can help you get the solar energy you need for your home. Contact us today to set up a consultation to discuss your solar needs.