Montana Solar panels produce electricity from sunlight, a renewable energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases. In addition, they can save homeowners money on their energy bills and increase property value.
They are also a cost-effective solution for businesses that want to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce costs. However, they are not completely self-sufficient, and you may still need to rely on the grid for some of your energy needs during cloudy days.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, and a growing number of homeowners are turning to solar power for all the benefits it offers. From energy savings and reduced carbon footprint to a healthy tax credit, going solar can boost your bottom line in many ways. But did you know that solar energy systems also increase your home’s resale value? A 2019 study from Zillow indicated that homes with a rooftop solar panel system sold for 4.1% more than comparable residences without solar. That equates to an additional $9,300 for the median-valued home.
The size of your solar system is a major factor when it comes to the amount of value added to your property. A bigger solar system will require more equipment and offer greater energy bill savings, so it may add more to your resale price. In addition to the type of solar equipment, the wattage and other factors that affect your home’s electricity use can determine how large of a solar system is necessary.
When choosing the right size for your solar panel system, it is important to remember that the orientation of your roof plays an essential role in how efficient your home’s solar panel system will be. This is because panels must be oriented towards the sun for optimal functionality. The angle at which you set your solar panels is known as a “tilt.” Monocrystalline cells are made from a single solid silicon crystal, making them more efficient than polycrystalline, which is comprised of many shards of silicon melted together.
Other factors that influence the performance of your solar panel system include its design and maximum power point tracking. Both of these features work to maximize your solar energy system’s efficiency by ensuring that as much of the sun’s radiation is converted into electricity as possible.
Lastly, the condition of your solar panels can impact their resale value. New research shows that owners of a home’s solar energy system receive a higher resale value than those who lease or purchase their solar systems through third-party ownership, like through a power purchase agreement (PPA). If you are considering going solar, contact Dominion Energy Solutions today to learn how you can get started on the road to solar energy and increased property value for your home or business.
They Reduce Carbon Emissions
One of the most important reasons to switch to solar power is that it significantly reduces your carbon footprint. Fossil fuels that are burned to produce electricity, transportation, and other energy sources are responsible for most of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming and other climate change problems. Solar panels do not emit any carbon dioxide or other harmful greenhouse gases when they are producing energy. The only greenhouse gas they do emit is during the manufacturing process, and even this amount of emissions is considerably lower than the CO2 that is released by fossil fuels during the same period.
When a solar panel becomes energized by sunlight, it generates an electrical current that is passed through a solar inverter to create alternating current electricity. This electricity can then be used to run household appliances. Solar panels do not need direct sunlight to work, and can also generate electricity on cloudy days if they are getting enough light. However, they will be less efficient on cloudy days than they are on sunny ones.
A new study finds that solar energy helps reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from US power plants. The research uses hourly electricity generation data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to model how increasing the use of solar power would affect CO2 emissions in different regions across the United States.
While there are some CO2 emissions associated with the manufacture of solar panels, these emissions are rapidly offset after they become operational. Depending on your local electricity mix, it typically takes 2-3 years for solar panels to pay for themselves through the reduced CO2 emissions that they offset.
Choosing solar panels that are made with a high level of efficiency can further help reduce your carbon footprint. These types of solar panels are usually referred to as “modules,” and they are able to convert more sunlight into electricity than lower-efficiency models.
There are many other ways to reduce your carbon footprint, including driving a hybrid or electric car or reducing your meat consumption. But installing solar panels is one of the most immediate and effective solutions that individuals and businesses can take to help fight climate change.
They Increase Home Value
The exact amount of value solar panels add to a home will vary depending on several aspects, such as the size of the system and local real estate market. However, a recent study conducted by Zillow found that homes with solar power systems sold for an average of 3% – 4.1% more than those without them.
Homebuyers often view solar energy as a distinguishing feature, and are willing to pay extra for a home that saves money on electric bills. Similarly, some buyers appreciate that solar is a clean and sustainable source of energy that helps to reduce carbon emissions and other greenhouse gas pollutants.
In addition to these financial benefits, a home with solar also tends to perform more efficiently than those without it. Solar panels are designed to maximize the amount of electricity they produce by capturing sunlight at a wide range of angles and ensuring that no part of the home is shaded. Additionally, homeowners with rooftop solar panels can usually achieve more energy savings when their systems are equipped with an integrated battery storage solution and maximum power point tracking.
As demand for renewable energy continues to grow, homeowners and property investors can anticipate seeing more greener options in the housing market. And while the upfront cost of installing solar may be more than what some are willing to invest, those who take advantage of available financing will likely find that they can afford a quality solar energy system with minimal financial impact on their wallets.
If you are considering going solar, be sure to speak with your local Dominion Energy Solutions expert to discover the best financing solutions for your home. We can provide a free estimate and help you determine the optimal number of solar panels required to meet your specific electricity needs and savings goals. Contact us today to get started!
They Save Money
Solar panels can save homeowners and businesses a lot of money on electricity bills. On average, they pay themselves off in about 10 years, and then you’ll have decades of free power.
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to see savings of several thousand dollars a year, depending on how much electricity they use. Those who have more efficient systems or use the system during peak hours, when the sun is at its brightest, can see the biggest savings.
A number of factors affect how well solar panels perform, including the type of panels used and how they’re positioned on your property. The best solar panels are made from monocrystalline silicon, which is considered the most efficient. They also need to be oriented toward the sun and positioned with a tilt that is calculated based on your home or business’s latitude. More complex deployments may use motor-driven tracking to reorient the panel throughout the day and the seasons.
You’ll find that the cost of solar panels is often significantly reduced with federal, state and local financial incentives. These subsidies and rebates significantly reduce the upfront costs of solar energy systems, which makes them more affordable for all types of homeowners and businesses. For instance, a typical 6- to 10-kilowatt (kW) residential solar energy system costs about $20,754 after the federal Investment Tax Credit. That’s a lot less than the $35,000 it would have cost without these incentives.
The most important factor in determining your potential savings is the size of your household or business’s electricity bill and your local electricity rates. You can estimate how much you’ll save by calculating the size of your current electricity usage and multiplying it by your local average rate per kilowatt hour.
You’ll also want to take into account any energy rates that are expected to increase in the future, as this could decrease your savings over time. If you’re considering solar, you should check out your state’s resources for more specific information about how easy it is to go solar in your area. You can even find calculators that will help you estimate how much your solar energy system is likely to save you over time.