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Buying solar panels

BUYING SOLAR PANELS

What you need to know about buying solar for your home

When it comes to buying solar panels for your home, you want to be sure you have all the facts so you can make the best decision for your family. Ownership of your solar energy system means that you will enjoy all the long-term financial benefits as well as the abundant energy each solar panel produces. Let’s find out more about buying solar panels for your home.

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What to consider when buying solar panels

There are several things to know about buying solar panels. If you’re wondering the best way to buy solar panels, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

How many solar panels will I need?

This is one of the first questions people ask about solar. The answer? It’s difficult to determine how many solar panels your home is going to need. The number of solar panels you will need depends on many different factors that are unique to your home and your situation. It’s important to understand all of these factors before you decide on your solar system investment.

Some of these factors include:

  • Your home’s electricity usage
  • The size of your roof
  • The amount of sunlight exposure your home gets
  • The types of solar panels you purchase (how efficient they are)
  • Solar energy storage options
How many panels should I start with?

One of the biggest regrets homeowners have after their install is that they wish they would have installed more solar panels when they had the chance. They see the amount of power produced, and they want even more — especially if it means they can connect to a home battery like the Tesla Powerwall to store excess power or sell it by way of net metering.

Make sure to check with a professional to find the exact amount your home will need for maximum benefits and follow their recommended guidelines.

You may also want to consider investing in a solar energy battery for your solar power system, which will store any excess energy your panels will produce. This will allow your home to run on renewable energy even at night.

If you decide at some point after your installation that you want more panels as part of your solar PV system, it will be complicated and expensive, while adding additional solar panels to the original quote can be surprisingly cost effective.

Read more about how many solar panels you will need.

Is solar a good investment?

Going solar is a great investment for your home’s energy costs, but there are even more reasons why solar is a great long-term investment, including financial incentives like the federal solar tax credit**, keeping your home powered during outages and increasing your home’s value.

Do solar panels increase home value?

Buying your solar panels means you could increase the value of your home, and a greater return on investment, should you ever decide to sell your house. In some states, your rooftop solar installation is exempt from property taxes, which means even further opportunity to realize more return on your investment.

Should I buy or lease my solar panels?

Read more about leasing vs buying your solar panels. There are advantages to each and it’s a smart idea to consider the pros and cons for your particular situation. Here we’re going to break it down in simple terms.

There are three ways to purchase solar panels: cash, solar loans and solar leasing/PPA.

The benefits of buying your home solar system include greater long-term savings, especially since your system could pay for itself in typically three to seven years. However, the upfront costs are the highest.

The benefits of financing your solar panels include zero down in some cases, but a monthly payment. The savings after around 20 years is less than with a cash purchase, but still significant. The best part is that your payments will end at some point, and your electric bill will be greatly reduced or eliminated. The trade-off is well worth it.

The benefits of solar leasing or solar purchase agreements (PPA) is that it will be less expensive to install upfront, and someone else will be responsible for maintaining your solar system.1

Where should I buy solar panels?

Where to buy solar panels depends on your needs. Are you looking for small scale systems that are DIY? If so, wholesale retailers and websites like Amazon sell kits for smaller scale projects. However, these will not be able to power your entire home. Typically these are used for a few items at a time as a backup source.

If you’re looking for large-scale solar power system installations, then you’ll want to go with a national installer. Make sure to choose a company with a great reputation and warranties. Here are a few pointers.

What should I look for in a solar installation company?
  1. Expertise: Your solar installer should have expertise in the solar industry and a bonus company would have experience in roofing. A company with expertise will have been open for more than a few years and have thousands of installations under their belt. Many companies subcontract their installation employees. Companies who have in house installers are much more reliable and experienced.
  2. Credentials: A reputable solar installation company will have all of the necessary licenses, insurance policies and credentials needed for all areas they operate in. They should be listed on their website and easy to find. A company with all credentials will meet all of the state standards and is certified as a legitimate business.
  3. Track record and experience: The solar industry is growing and not many companies have decades of solar under their belt. Though, finding a company with a background in solar and years of experience is necessary. They should be able to discuss and show different installations and systems previously installed. They should have hundreds of reviews on their website and social media accounts.
  4. Reputation: Reading solar company reviews is a great place to start. Keep an eye out for companies that respond to their customer reviews and respond in a professional and timely manner. Companies who care about their customers will be helpful and thankful to their customers. Solar companies that have won solar awards and been named in the top of their industry are great companies to look into.
  5. WarrantiesWarranties are a very important factor when considering solar installation companies. Many solar companies do not have reliable warranties. When buying an expensive system, it is important to know about the warranties and what the company will do for you if something goes wrong.
are solar panels worth it

ADT Solar, a solar company you can trust

For almost 150 years, homeowners have trusted ADT for their security, and now they can have the same confidence in a solar company.

If you’re ready to take the next step, or even if you’re considering what it would take to get you there, contact us to discover all your options. We install solar and roofs across the United States. Contact us today to see if we service your area and get free solar quotes for your particular needs.

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