To go solar or not to go solar?
That is truly the question… of this blog. If you’re considering solar panel installation, you probably want to weigh all the pros and cons of going solar before you make the decision. Great news- we’re about to break it all down for you in the simplest way: the PROS and CONS of solar panels. Ready to get started?
Here’s a quick overview of what we’re about to go over:
Solar panels pros:
Reduces your carbon footprint
Lowers your electric bill
Protection from rising costs
Increases your home value
Easy maintenance
Gain energy independence
Solar panels cons:
Doesn’t work for every roof type
Initial cost can be an obstacle
No power when the grid goes down
You need sunshine!
Let’s get to it.
Pros of Solar Panels for Home
Diminish your carbon footprint
Concerned about the environment? The first benefit everyone should already know about owning solar panels is that it helps you reduce your carbon footprint. This is becoming more and more important each year, and solar panels are a great way to start cleaning up your carbon footprint for a better environment and planet. Here’s a fun fact: the amount of energy your solar system produces each year is equivalent to planting around 50 trees, which is a lot considering a 30-year old tree absorbs around 193 pounds of CO2 each year. This is a huge PRO for solar panels!
Slash your high electricity bill
One of the top reasons homeowners choose to go solar is because of the cost savings. In fact, 59% of homeowners with solar panels made the decision because of the savings on their electricity bills. Depending on your situation, you could end up with a negative electric bill, or even credit for the next months. The amount you can save on your bills is increased even more when you participate in your utility company’s net metering program in which you can sell the energy you produce back to them in the form of credits.
Shield yourself from rising energy costs
Energy prices are on the move, in the upward trend. In fact in the last couple of decades, electricity prices in the US have risen around 40%.
And residential electricity costs are projected to rise between 1.2% and 2.8% in 2021 alone!
Once your system is paid off, you’ll be producing completely free solar energy for the entire life of your system, which will be at least 25 years with guarantees like ADT Solar offers. This means you will be immune from the future rising costs that everyone else will be stuck with. In other words, you can free yourself from the rising costs trend with solar energy!
Increase the worth of your home
Another great benefit of having solar panels installed on your home is that it actually increases your home’s value. Because- why not? Homes that have solar panels installed are a great selling point when it comes to putting your house on the market. Want to see the proof?
In a comprehensive report done by the US Department of Energy and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), they found that:
- Homes with solar arrays sold 20% faster, and for 17% more.
- Each additional $1 in utility bill savings from your solar installation can add a whopping $20 to your home value.
Read more about solar panels and increased home value.
Super easy maintenance
More great news for the PRO list: solar panels are extremely low maintenance. Especially when you go with a company like ADT Solar that offers extensive warranties. This means even if something breaks, you’ll be covered for the life of your system. As for regular maintenance, solar panels don’t need cleaning. When they’re installed by a certified professional team, they will be installed to gather the most amount of sunlight as possible and mounted at an angle so that any rain, snow or debri slides right off them. One less thing to worry about- how many other large investments can you say that about?
Empower your home and your energy independence
With solar panels, you’re able to take back control of your home’s energy and make you less dependent on the utility companies. And when you add a solar battery backup to your system, you’ll be able to create almost complete independence from the grid as well as charge your electric company for the solar energy you produced.
Cons of Solar Panels for Home
Now that we’ve covered the most important PROs of solar panels, let’s go through some of the reasons homeowners are hesitant to making the switch to solar panels.
Solar panels may not be optimal for your roof
The best place for solar panels to be installed is on your roof where your house gets the most amount of sunlight as possible. However, this may be an issue if your roof doesn’t have enough space. It may also be difficult to install solar panels on a roof with certain roofing materials like cedar or slate tiles, or roofs with additions like skylights or a rooftop deck.
Sunlight needed to power your panels can also be obstructed by trees, for example, and you may not have the option of removing these obstacles. In this case, solar panels may not be the right fit for your home. It’s best to speak with a Solar Specialist to find out if solar panels are a good option for your roof.
Initial cost may seem like an obstacle
Some people may be intimidated by the initial investment needed to switch to solar energy for your home. You will need cash up-front or access to financing options in order to get your system in the first place. However, what makes this worth it is not only the savings you’ll see in the long-term, but also savings you’ll see on your monthly electric bill in the first month of your system running. And by the way, ADT Solar also offers 100% financing to make this an even easier decision!
Prices for solar energy equipment and installation have also fallen significantly in the last decade, making the decision to go solar easier than ever.
Source: GreenTech Media
In addition, with tax credits like the Federal Solar Tax Credit which offers a 30% back on your taxes for your equipment, installation, and solar battery backup*, the option to go solar is now widely accessible to homeowners across the nation. Depending on where you live, you can also save on state taxes, rebates, and programs like net metering that make solar a feasible investment**.
Learn more about the cost of going solar.
No power when the grid goes out
Your panels will be connected to your electric company’s grid which is great for things like net metering. However, a lot of people choose to go solar in order to obtain energy independence from their utility companies. The truth is that while you gain the ability to run your home on solar energy during the day when the sun is shining, you’ll have to go back to relying on your electric company at night or when there is a power outage. This fact makes some people believe solar energy isn’t worth it.
However, there is a simple solution: adding a solar battery backup to your system like the Enphase Encharge or Tesla Powerwall changes everything. When you have a solar battery installed, your home can run on clean solar energy during the night and during blackouts. And this means you can say bye-bye to reliance on your electric company.
Learn more about solar panel battery backups.
You need sunshine!
And the last concern for solar panels is that yes, sunshine is required. The more sunshine, the more energy your panels can produce for your home. As we already mentioned, this means at night you’ll need a solar battery in order to get power to your home or connect back to the grid. And another thing to consider when weighing the decision to go solar, depending on where you live you’ll have to factor in weather patterns for your area. A trained Solar Specialist can help you with this!
Wrapping it all up
There you have it. Everything you ever needed to know to be able to weigh the decision of going solar. Or let’s say instead, the investment of going solar. While going solar may not be the right decision for everyone, it’s best to discuss your individual situation with a Solar Specialist to find out all the reasons it could benefit your home’s energy savings plan (and budget)!
*Tax and credits or incentives including those provided by federal, state, or local governments may change or end. This can impact the amount of money you might save. Consult a tax professional to understand any tax liability or eligibility for any tax credits that may result from the purchase of your solar system.
**If you have taxable income and own the system, you may qualify for the federal investment tax credit (ITC). It is your responsibility to determine your eligibility and to apply. Consult a qualified tax professional for assistance and details.
