Despite being initially viewed as an expensive novelty, solar panels have become popular with homeowners in recent years. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, nearly 450,000 homes and businesses now have solar panels installed. Also, a 29 percent rise in solar installations in the U.S. is predicted by the end of the current year alone.
Homeowners can Expect Government Incentives & Lower Electric Bills
A few of the reasons for the upswing in solar panel appeal are the federal and state incentives, as well as energy-efficiency. As the government pushes for clean, renewable power, homeowners can receive rebates and tax credits for installing solar panels, which will drastically cut the initial costs. Couple that with the fact that the cost of solar panels has decreased by more than 50 percent since 2010 and they drastically reduce your energy bills, and there are a lot of reasons to invest.
Homeowners are Looking for Homes that are Solar Panel Ready
Because of their benefits, the demand for homes with solar panels is rising. Current and soon-to-be homeowners are shopping for new and existing homes that have solar panels already installed.
Also, home appraisers are including solar panels in their assessments. In other words, installing solar panels in your home now will increase its value, in addition to helping you save on electric bills.
While there are many benefits to installing solar panels on your Marin home, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you invest in it:
* Have realistic price expectations – Before you install solar panels, determine the expenses that you have to cover so that you can plan ahead. Start by calculating how much energy your household uses now and will in the future. For instance, if your family is growing you can expect costs to rise; if your children are about to leave for college, costs will probably fall. Remember that you may still have to pay monthly electric bills, depending on how much power your solar panels produce. And don’t forget about the cost of the solar panels and installation themselves.
* Know the length of the warranty – This is important because the amount of time the warranty covers is the bare minimum of how long your solar panels should last. Solar panels can last anywhere from about 20-25 years (or more, if you’re lucky). The warranty should last long enough to pay for the panels themselves and make you a profit.
* Consider the desired location for the panels – Where you place the panels is important because you want them to have maximum exposure to light during the day. If possible, they should be installed so that they face the sun directly. The more lighting from the sun, the more energy they can produce.
If you are living in Marin and considering solar panels, call or contact us at Sun First! today. We can provide you with more information and get you started!