Solar Power Facts and Fiction

Home solar panel installations are booming in the Valley of the Sun. Clean, green energy, whether it comes from wind, sun, geothermal, biomass, or biofuels, is crucial to our planet’s climate health. Many myths surround the green energy ecosphere. Here are three solar power myths and the facts that disprove these fabricated anecdotes.

Fiction: You should wait to install solar panels until the time is right.

Fact: The amount of money you’ll save on your monthly energy bills outweighs any financial benefit you’ll gain by waiting. You’ll also help with reducing carbon emissions and do your part to slow down global climate change by going solar sooner than later.

Fiction: You won’t stay in your house long enough to make your investment in solar panels back.

Fact: Home solar panel arrays can pay for themselves, depending on your home’s location and type of installation, on average from 6 to 15 years. When you add in local, county, state, and federal tax credits and incentives, you may even begin seeing a return on your investment within 2 to 4 years. One of the other understated benefits of solar panel installations is an increase in the resale value of your home. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory cites a study in the Appraisal Journal, which shows that home value increases $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills. Additional studies show that homes with solar power tend to sell more quickly and for higher prices. In other words, a solar energy system that saves $400 per year would add a value of $8,000 to your home. Depending on the location and current state of the economy in your city and state, solar panels may add over $20,000 in resale value.

Fiction: Your solar panels, whether roof or ground installations, require a tracking system to follow the angle of the sun.

Fact: When panels are installed by your local solar professionals, the panels are positioned to maximize sun exposure, meaning tracking systems aren’t needed. There are solar panels on the home market integrating a tracking system to change the panel’s positioning throughout the day, though the extra cost of these panels may only have small efficiency gains. It’s best to check with your solar panel installers for the most current data.

Don’t be fooled by these misconceptions and others about solar energy. Interested in learning more from your local professional solar installers? Call Cool Blew Solar today at 623-234-2836. You’ll be glad you did.

FAQ's

Is Solar Energy Expensive?

The size of your panel installation and the needs of your home will affect your costs. The average net cost of a 5.69kW system is $13,838 cash after 30% rebate (according to solar-estimate.org). An average-sized system can cost up to $35,000. Larger installations will require more hardware, planning and construction time. This can further increase costs. While solar panels are expensive, they have many distinct benefits. Cool Blew Electric & Solar’s experts can assess your situation and goals and recommend a cost-effective system to meet your needs.

How Much Can I Save By Installing Solar Panels?

An average-sized system (5 kilowatts) can reduce up to 50% of your monthly electricity bill. A 5.69kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $138. Over a period of 20 years, these savings can add up to $30,000, based on your location and energy usage.

How Long Would It Take to Recoup My Solar Investment by Solar Energy Savings?

With a 5.69kW Solar system you would recoup your savings in 7 years and 2 months but with continuous Utility increases every year your Return and Investment will be much sooner.

What is a Solar Lease Program?

The Solar Lease Program has been one the most popular option that homeowners have chosen over the years. Solar Lease programs gives homeowners the opportunity to take advantage and put Solar on their homes and a guaranteed savings from their Utility for little to no money out of pocket. Most Leases are 20 year power guarantee from the solar provider and includes fixed monthly payments, no repair cost, fully insured and warrantied for the life of the system.

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