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November 11, 20245 Reasons Why Winter is the Best Time to Go Solar
Going solar is often associated with the summer months, and with good reason. Longer, sunnier days and clearer skies mean more direct sunlight for your panels to absorb and convert to electricity to power your home. Plus, getting that first utility bill after your air conditioner has been running for a couple of months is usually a wake-up call that triggers a series of introductory phone calls to local solar companies.
While these are all good reasons to go solar during the summer, it may in fact be the smarter move to make the change during the winter months. You likely won’t get the same production during that time, but having your solar panels installed in the winter still comes with many benefits. Here are five reasons why you should go solar in the winter:
Faster Installation
The biggest advantage of going solar in the winter may be the expedited timeline. Winter is typically the slow season for solar companies – as mentioned above, most homeowners and businesses will wait until the spring and summer to get started on their solar installations.
Deciding to go solar during the offseason means less waiting time across the board: solar companies will have more time to accommodate you into their schedules for site assessments, consultations, installations, and maintenance; local government offices won’t be overwhelmed by applications and will be able to move more quickly through permitting and inspections; and any other contractors or companies you may be working with will likely be able to give you the time and attention you need.
All in all, this adds up to a much faster and smoother installation process, allowing your system to be set up quickly and conveniently with plenty of time until the hot summer months arrive.
Get Ahead of Peak Season
Summer may in fact be the peak season for solar production, but waiting until then to begin your installation may prevent you from receiving those benefits. Solar installations take time, especially when solar companies are busier. Between consultations, permitting, inspections, and the installation itself, it may take weeks or even months before your system is installed and generating power.
It would be very frustrating to start the process during peak season, only to experience delays and end up with a finished system just as the summer is ending. By getting a head start in the winter, you’ll ensure that your solar panels are ready to go once the days start getting longer in the spring.
Maximize Tax Incentives
The winter months are also the best time to take advantage of tax incentives, especially before the new year begins. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows you to claim up to 30% of the cost of your solar installation. Considering the cost of a solar system, this can be a pretty significant amount of money. The timing of this is important, as getting it done before January would ensure that you qualify for incentives for this year. Other local or state incentives, rebates, or tax exemptions may also have deadlines or may expire at the end of the year. Applying for any of these in a timely manner can help you save more money on your installation.
Offset Surprisingly High Winter Utility Bills
Despite the fact that summertime may be the time with highest energy costs due to costly appliances like air conditioning, there are still some under the radar high energy costs that you may not have thought about in the winter. For example, heating systems, the high energy demands of hosting family for the holidays, and even putting up holiday lights can run up your energy bill. Solar panels can help offset these costs, even if there’s less sunlight available. Interestingly, solar panels actually work more efficiently in cooler weather.
Getting your solar system set up in the winter also means you can get a head start on powering your home in the summer. With California’s Net Energy Metering system, known as NEM 3.0, you can earn credits for producing excess energy and sending it back to the grid. By earning credits in the winter months, you can prepare yourself for the summer months when you can apply them when demand spikes.
Protect Your Home from Weather Related Outages
Power outages are a big consideration when going solar, especially if you’re pairing your solar system with a battery for backup power. Winter storms can be severe, and heavy rain, snow, ice, and strong winds can lead to frequent and extended power outages. Being without power can be particularly inconvenient during winter months when you need heating and essential appliances working during cold temperatures.
Going solar, especially when paired with a battery storage system, can help protect your home from power outages. Batteries can be programmed to store excess energy produced by your solar panels, allowing you to keep your heat on and other appliances running when the power goes out.
Go Solar with Solar Discovery
Solar Discovery is an all-in-one company that specializes in solar, roofing, and battery installations, as well as a wide range of system maintenance and services. If you’re looking to go solar, we are more than happy to help. Don’t wait until the summer – get in touch with us today to get started on your solar journey.
