The benefits of solar have become increasingly obvious as the solar industry continues to boom. Financial savings, grid independence, and reduced carbon footprint are just a couple of the many reasons going solar is a wise decision. And as the world continues to move toward clean, renewable energy, it seems like a no-brainer that everyone should immediately make the switch to solar power. However, it’s not necessarily this simple. There are many factors to consider when making this decision, and in some cases, going solar may not be the right decision, at least for the time being.
So if you’re considering going solar, it’s completely understandable if you’re having some doubts about the whole thing. You’ve probably got a bunch of questions about costs, benefits, maintenance, and a host of other issues. Mainly, you’d just like to know: is going solar worth it?
Solar power is a rapidly growing energy source due to its sustainability. As long as the sun is shining, solar power can be produced. Solar panels generate electricity by converting sunlight to electricity. Panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which absorb sunlight and convert it to direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts the DC power to AC power, which is then used to power your home.
Solar energy is particularly useful when the sun is shining, but when paired with a battery, it can be harnessed and used even when no solar energy is being produced. Even if you aren’t interested in a solar-plus-battery combination, simply adding solar panels to your home to harness that energy during the day has many benefits and can be a great long-term financial investment.
There’s no way around it: going solar can be expensive. On average, a solar system costs around $16,000, but in some instances may cost up to $40,000. The total cost of a solar system depends on many variables, including the size of your system and your location. The overall cost is also affected by a variety of financial factors like tax rebates, which can help lower your spending.
Lastly, it’s important to look at the long-term finances of going solar, as this is a long-term investment that will actually save you money in the long run. As solar panels can drastically reduce your energy bills for years to come, your solar system will eventually pay for itself, and then some. On average, a customer will earn their money back in 4-7 years after going solar. At that point, you’ll essentially be making money every month. As previously mentioned, the calculus changes with a battery, as they can improve the efficiency of your system and increase your savings.
Benefits of going solar include financial savings, energy independence, and reduced carbon emissions. Going solar means you’ll have drastically lower energy bills every month, which will only become more beneficial as utility companies continue to raise their rates. Additionally, with the new NEM 3.0 in place, there are opportunities to earn more money by selling surplus power back to the grid. When paired with a battery, you can increase your savings and avoid power outages.
As the world continues to try to find solutions to the ongoing climate crisis, switching to solar power has a small but not insignificant effect on reducing our carbon footprint. While the financial benefits of going solar are very real and significant, the most important reason to go solar is to do your part and join the global effort to move to sustainable green energy.
Going solar can drastically lower your utility bills. You’ll immediately start saving, and you’ll earn back the full cost of installation within 4-7 years.
If your system includes a battery, you’ll be able to keep the lights on during power outages.
It’s no secret that going solar reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Do your part by reducing your carbon footprint.
Depending on utility providers for your electricity means you are at their mercy whenever they decide to raise their prices. Regain your independence by generating your own power.
The fact of the matter is that every home is different. If you’re considering going solar, the first thing that an installation company will do is a full site assessment to evaluate factors including roof orientation, shading, and sunlight exposure. They’ll also assess your home’s power consumption to determine how many panels you would need, and in turn the overall cost of the system. Altogether, this can help determine how effective a solar panel installation would be for your home, and if it would be worth it to go solar.
The timeframe can vary from one project to the next, but on average, a solar installation takes about 2-3 days. Many factors can alter this timeline, including the size of the system, inspections, and local permitting. In some cases, the roofing will have to be redone as well, and this can add significant time and cost to a project.
It’s also worth considering installing a battery together with your solar system. This will obviously increase the cost and timeline, but if you’re considering it, it’s better to do it all in one shot. Deciding to install a battery at a later date can cause issues, and it’s much easier to have the same installation company install them at the same time.
Lastly, consider that while the installation itself only takes a couple of days, you’ll need to maintenance your system on occasion. Remember, going solar is a long-term investment, so it’s important to have a company that will be there for you if and when your system needs servicing.
Solar panels are built to last for 25-30 years. Many come with a 25-year warranty, and will often outlast that, especially with proper care and maintenance.
Solar panels are generally low maintenance. Unlike other complex machinery, like a car, they are completely stationary, meaning there’s little risk of damage or serious wear and tear. As long as the sun is shining, they’re designed to continue absorbing sunlight and producing power for your home. Of course, they still require occasional upkeep as anything designed to last 25+ years is unlikely to last that long without even the slightest amount of servicing. A fallen tree branch or a heavy storm may cause some minor damage to your system that would require a maintenance team to come out and service it.
The final answer is that it depends on all the factors listed above. There is no way around the main deterrent: going solar is an expensive investment. However, if the other factors seem to be in your favor, it’s a worthwhile investment. The many benefits – financial savings, energy independence, reducing your carbon footprint – are all things that can greatly improve your own life and the state of the world.
If you still have questions about whether going solar is the right decision for you, Solar Discovery is happy to help. Get in touch with us and we’ll walk you through the process and help you decide on your best course of action. We offer full solar, roofing, and battery installation, as well as a range of maintenance and other services.
