Suppose you are one of the millions of Americans who have recently switched to solar energy (because of its numerous advantages) or the millions thinking of taking the plunge. In that case, there are many factors to consider before choosing solar panels.
There are practical factors, such as the size of the panels and how they will fit in your house. There are energy factors, including your carbon footprint.
Then, of course, there are the solar energy price tag factors. If you seek a solar energy quote, you will want to ensure the benefits outweigh your costs.
That’s why it is important to fully understand the short- and long-term solar energy costs. Read on to find out everything you need to know.
What Are Solar Panels?
Before you choose solar panels to install in your house, it is important to know the difference between solar panels and other sustainable options. The amount of solar energy a solar panel converts from sunlight to electricity defines its efficiency.
When choosing solar panels for your home, be sure to pick one that at least reaches 22% efficiency. This will help you get the most out of the investment. This is also one of those options that just help you save money in the long term.
Solar panels are monocrystalline panels that are most efficient in trapping solar energy. These also possess high power capacity that helps store energy for uninterrupted electricity generation.
These have a strong warranty, which protects your investment. The cost of these panels depends on the type of panels offered – from monocrystalline to polycrystalline and bifacial. All of these come with different price tags.
In addition, the size in Watts is another determining factor when choosing solar panels to install in your home. Lastly, another factor to consider is the physical size and the quality of the material you’re buying from.
These usually have a long lifespan, enough to give you value for money, but you must maintain them well.
Considerations Before Choosing Solar Panels
If you have picked the sustainable way of living and using energy, you’ll need more than just a list of benefits.
So, here we are with a few factors that you must consider before choosing solar panels. Check these out:
Solar panel quality
This is an important factor to consider apart from the size and wattage of the solar panel. In addition, this determines the process of maintaining the panel on your own. There are different types of manufacturers, and each process stage must be controlled to ensure great quality.
So, research and find a manufacturing company that puts a lot of care into the development process of the panel.
Review the company reviews and client testimonies for a well-rounded opinion of the company.
Energy efficiency
Solar panel efficiency is one of the determining factors in its sale. This is the amount of light the panel receives, which is converted into electrical energy.
Thus, more efficiency means it will be better for your home. It implies one more thing – it will cost you more than the less efficient ones when you consider the number of uses and compare the electricity bills you have been paying for the longest time.
I think choosing solar panels will seem like the best investment.
Size
Count the appliances used – especially those in use daily – will help you know the panel capacity you should choose. This is the wattage – for instance, if you choose a 200 W panel, it’ll successfully generate 200 W-hours energy/hour under ideal conditions.
Here are the ideal conditions under which your solar panel will function best:
- Direct sunlight
- The temperature for the solar panel to function best is ideally around 20 deg C to 25 deg C. At this temperature, the machine is in its best condition and does not have a negative impact due to high heat.
- Daylight hours yield the best power output, so it will be helpful if you are in such a region.
An average household can thrive on 3-4kW of a system, so choose wisely.
What is the Solar Energy Price Tag?
You might be wondering “is solar energy expensive?”. The long answer is “no”, but the short answer is “yes”. Let’s break it down. On average, solar panel installation and purchase for your home will come with a sticker price of $16,000.
However, this could be more or less depending on your home. While this seems like a lot, it is rarely the “real” price that you will pay. This is because the cost of solar energy is greatly diminished by tax credits.
Can I Get a Tax Credit?
If you are wondering how to switch to solar energy, it is vital to keep in mind that the government will, to a certain extent, pay for your solar panels. The government wants to help Americans switch to greener, cleaner, and cheaper solar energy.
That’s why there is a wealth of both federal and state tax credits you can use to get reimbursed for your solar panel costs, as explained by the experts at https://blueravensolar.com/missouri/solar-panel-installers-kansas-city/. By filing for your guaranteed tax credits, you can instantly save thousands on your solar panels.
Will I Save On Bills?
When assessing the solar energy price tag, you also need to think long-term. A key consideration is whether switching to solar is one of the ways to reduce your monthly energy bills enough to justify the cost. For this, the answer is nearly always “absolutely”.
Research has shown that, over the lifetime of your household solar panels, you will typically save between $10,000 and $30,000. That is thousands of extra dollars in your bank account just by doing nothing. All you need to do is get someone to install solar panels on your roof.
Can I Make Money from My Solar Panels?
Finally, it is worth considering not only how you can save money from solar, but also make money. With your solar panels, you can store excess electricity throughout the year, only to be used when needed.
If you have significant extra energy that you are sitting on, you can automatically sell it to the city or to your utility company at market rates. This is one way to offset the cost of solar quickly, as you can instantly get cash payments for your unused electricity. This is simply not an option with your fossil fuels.
Is the Solar Energy Price Tag Worth It for Your Home?
When assessing the solar energy price tag, don’t forget to take into account your home’s value. To learn more about boosting the value of your home and your most precious investment, we have got you covered.
Make sure to consult our Sellers guides to learn more.
Wrapping It Up!
That was all about the considerations you should make when choosing solar panels. This is one of the best ways to make your home sustainable and ready for the future!
The article is about how to adopt this clean energy in your life.
Solar energy may just be the dominant renewable energy the world runs on. This and other sustainable alternatives will be all the rage shortly.
Are you ready to adopt it?
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