Have you been thinking about installing a solar energy system in your home? Whether you are trying to cut energy costs or just want to do right by the environment, now is the time to make the switch.

Affordability

Over the past decade, the cost of converting homes to solar power has decreased by around 70 percent. Modern solar panels are both economical and durable, making them a great investment. A typical solar installation will last for upwards of 25 years, so it will add value to your home for years to come. Check out the best Fresno solar provider to find out how affordable converting to solar can be.

Financial Options

Did you know that you don’t need to purchase a solar panel system outright? While buying a system results in the maximum return on your investment, you can also finance or lease. This will lower your upfront costs while still providing immediate savings on your electricity bill. Even if you are on a budget you can make the move to solar.

Tax Credits

Not only is the cost of a solar energy system affordable, but installations also often qualify for local, state and federal tax credits. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows you to deduct a percentage of the installation costs from your federal taxes, and many additional programs are also in place to offset your investment. One caveat is that you should act with urgency! The ITC is scheduled to expire in 2021, so these breaks won’t be around forever.

Utility Savings

The expense of obtaining energy through traditional providers rises each year. Your monthly bill is unpredictable, with seasonal changes in usage often sending costs through the roof. Because a solar panel system often provides 100 percent of the energy your home requires, you can avoid all of that unpredictability by going completely off the grid. Your home might even generate more energy than you need, which may qualify you for rebates. Even if you use more energy than you produce, your utility bills will still be significantly reduced.

Control

In California, power outages are on the rise. Whether due to faulty equipment or weather conditions, many power grids fail because they were built over 100 years ago when demand wasn’t anywhere near as high as it is today. By tapping into solar energy, you are no longer at the mercy of the electric company. Your panels generate energy during daylight hours that can be used immediately or stored in a battery system for future use. Solar panels bring peace of mind by providing you with consistently reliable access to energy.

Clean Energy

Beyond the economic value of converting to solar, the positive environmental impact can’t be overstated. Traditional electricity providers rely on fossil fuels like coal or natural gas to produce energy. The supply of these fuels is finite and global demand is quickly depleting them. Not only are they scarce, but their use in providing energy is also extremely harmful to the environment. Fuels must be burned to generate electricity, and the gasses they emit are the main cause of air pollution. Other energy sources have their own set of problems. Nuclear and hydropower use a massive amount of water to create electricity; in the case of hydropower in particular, the damming of rivers and other natural water sources creates far reaching damage to the ecosystem. 

Conversely, solar energy is both renewable and clean. Sunlight is abundant and its availability is unlimited, making it a natural resource we can never deplete. There are no harmful byproducts when converting solar energy into useable electricity, and other resources like water are not needed for production. By cutting emissions and limiting our depletion of natural resources, switching to solar is the right choice for the environment.

All homeowners should consider converting to solar energy. Not only is solar better for the environment, but it also provides extensive economic benefits. There’s never been a better time to go solar!