Here's The Truth About Solar Panels
Updated: Feb 27
We are told solar panels are the answer to all of our energy needs for a greener, brighter future. Every home and every business must join in the efforts. Our energy concerns will be resolved, as the sun is an infinite resource. There is no downside, so everyone needs to start harvesting that beautiful sunshine. It's irresponsible not to! But how much validity is there to these claims?
Is Solar It Worth the Investment?
The initial investment for a whole home array may sound daunting. Many rooftop solar systems can start at as much as $14,000. That is no small fee. Most companies will offer various options making obtaining panels more tangible. In these cases, either you lease the panels and inverter for a low monthly fee or can finance these components, paying each month for a previously agreed amount of time. In both cases, the solar provider will take over your electric bill, and you will pay them directly. Typically, this costs much less each month than you would have been paying for your electricity before adding the panels. Many companies estimate your system will pay for itself in electricity savings in 9-12 years.
Most warranties on solar equipment are 25 years, and most panels are expected to carry a 40-year lifespan! Inverters are generally expected to last only about ten years. Still, with a 25-year warranty, you could expect at least one free replacement before investing
in the system. That gives a potential for 14 years of free power generated for you and your family! Cold days, cloudy days, snowy and rainy days all produce varying amounts of electricity. Living as far north as New England, it's possible to have a system that will create plenty of electricity. These don't only have to be rooftop arrays. If you have large shade trees around your home but have other sunny spaces, perhaps you could add a covered outdoor area that can double as a solar farm for your home.
Many states also offer tax rebates on top of federal tax incentives. Beware, many of these will expire in the coming years. Stricter laws on fossil fuels usage are also causing many electric companies to offer additional incentives for homeowners to become less dependent on their services and more self-reliant. Some power companies even offer incentives for including storage batteries in your system. These incentives result in fewer homes pulling from the grid at peak hours to help prevent future blackouts and brownouts. With new legislation encouraging more power pulling with electric cars, plus our evergrowing demand for electric needs, it is easy to feel that everyone should be doing their part to help prevent a collapse in the grid system.