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There are numerous benefits that homeowners with solar panels can gain. For instance, lower household carbon footprint, higher home values, and lower electric bills. Not to mention the tax incentives and rebates that come with it. Some may argue that the installation process is too costly and isn’t worth the investment. However, the long-term investment of solar panels is what really matters and can help save thousands of dollars overall.
To really know if solar panels are for you, it is important to understand what they are.
It’s a device that absorbs solar energy and converts it to heat or electric form for consumption. Nowadays, these devices are popping up all over the neighborhoods. Even people you would least expect to get now own solar panels. Due to a burst of interest and attractive federal incentives many people want to install it.
Solar panels have been around for quite some time. It’s only that they were not a popular trend before like they are now. But even so, many people still find them mysterious, especially in how they work. Which is why it is necessary to gain a good perspective and understanding.
Solar panels comprise photovoltaic cells. These cells absorb the sun’s rays and then convert them to electrical energy. The chemical process is very simple. The light particles or photons from sunrays dislodge electrons thus generating the flow of current.
The power gets generated by this means is referred to as DC or direct current. While some devices can use it in this form, our home systems cannot. That’s because most of them are tuned for AC or alternating current.
To make it consumable, solar panels come with an inverter. The inverter serves as the link between the solar panel and your house’s electrical system. It actively converts the DC from the solar panel to usable AC for household consumption.
It’s worth noting that solar panels rely on sun rays to generate power. Therefore, overnight, you are bound to receive no power from it. And this is where storage batteries come in handy. Some set up involves the use of storage batteries that stores energy for overnight consumption. Not to mention, they will be resourceful during cloudy days when the panels cannot get enough sunshine.
If you are generating massive electrical energy, you can supply some to the grid. Thanks to this, you will be generating income or profit. Depending on the size of your system, the panels can generate enough electricity that can upset your electric bills. At this level, you can disconnect from the main grid and solely rely on your solar panel. But to achieve this state, you can account for several factors. And they are the same factors that can help you determine whether the solar panel is worth installing or not.
However, some will enjoy having the power over their own electricity.
Let’s face it, not all homes will benefit from solar panels in equal measure. And since the panels are a huge investment, it’s important to determine whether your home will benefit from them or not. Most importantly, you should know whether you will maximally leverage the potential of this system.
And it all starts with the alignment of your roof with the sky. Does it get maximum exposure to sunshine throughout the day? If your home roof is facing the sun and gets optimum exposure, then it makes a great candidate for solar panel installation.
Also, it must be free from obstructions. Areas with tall buildings and tree shades are not great for solar panel installation. That’s because they can block the sunshine and cast a shadow over your panel. In this case, you’ll not be maximizing the potential of this device.
Further, if your roof is not facing the true south, then your panel will not receive optimal sunlight. Remember, the true south and magnetic south are not the same. Therefore, ensure your rooftop or home is free from these obstructions before installing the solar panels. Those living within the forest must reconsider their plans and an expert can assist.
Well, there are occasions when installing the panels is a worthy investment. That means you will get a return on your investment without sacrificing much.
Thus, to ensure your home fits such situations, here are several factors to consider.
Tax Incentives
Some tax incentives offer makes solar panel installation worth the investment. That’s because you’ll be getting a significant percentage of what you are investing back. For example, if you install your panels between now and 2023, you can leverage the tax credit. The tax credit can be worth nearly 30% of your investment. Also, depending on your tax finances and the cost of your setup, this is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss.
Also, many counties and states are offering tax incentives, exemptions, rebates, or credits. Therefore, you might benefit from one of them. For instance, New York, which has the highest power rates offers a maximum rebate of $5000. You can access this benefit through credits, tax exemptions, and tax deductions. Also, you can generate more credits if your system is diverting the excess power back to the grid.
Location
Location plays a critical factor. It determines your home’s exposure to sunlight. Not to mention, it determines the hours of sunshine your home gets. Additionally, geographic location influences the intensity of the sun. Homes that are closer to the equator receive high degrees of sunshine.
As such, installing panels on such homes guarantees greater amounts of energy. Your panel will generate more power for your home. Homes on the northern latitude on the other hand are poor candidates for solar panels. That’s because the sunshine intensity is less.
Additionally, consider the rates of the utility company. If you are in a state where the power rates are lower. Then you don’t need to invest in solar panels. If anything, your investment might be more costly than relying on the power from the national grid. However, if you are from states like California, New York, and Connecticut, you can benefit from solar panel installation. Those from North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Louisiana can do without solar panels.
Consumption and Energy Bills
The primary reason for installing a solar system in your home is to reduce energy bills. Not to mention, you’ll be free from dependence on the power grid. When you have a solar panel, it will fulfill part of your household power needs. And if you install a bigger system, you can cut completely your dependence on the power grid. That means you won’t be receiving any energy bill. And that’s a win situation.
Further, your system can even generate more income. When the system produces electricity, you can sell the excess wattage and generate income. It’s that simple. Thus, instead of paying the utility company monthly for their power, you will be getting paid for your power. In occasions where you can’t upset your bills entirely, you’ll still benefit from lower energy bills.
The solar panel comes with a few potential benefits worth noting if you are planning to install this system. These benefits can make your choice easier. Let’s start:
Let’s face it, California ranks among the state in the entire country with the highest rates of electricity charges. In other words, electricity from utility companies is very expensive. On average, the rate can reach 20.45 cents/kWh. Luckily, the state ranks among those in the country that is highly friendly to solar panel installation.
In particular, residents in Chino Hills can benefit from solar panel installation for the following reasons:
Finally, deciding whether to install solar panels isn’t that hard. Of course, it can be overwhelming at first. However, if you have a specific goal, it’s easy to decide whether it’s fit for your home. Since we are not all experts in solar power systems, this text will assist you. Consider the benefits and drawbacks, and then determine which one outdoes the other.