Benefits of Solar Energy

The solar industry has been growing substantially over the last decade. This is due to the various benefits of solar energy and how consumers are leveraging the power of the sun! Did you know that the energy provided by the sun for one hour meets the world’s energy demands for an entire year? Luckily, solar panels provide a way for us to take advantage of the sun’s energy. Solar panels allow us to capture solar energy through (DC) electricity. Inverters that are installed with your solar panels convert direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity to power homes, office buildings, cars, camping trailers, you name it! We are only beginning to see how solar energy can meet everyday power needs.

There are numerous reasons why solar energy is so beneficial. Despite providing clean, renewable energy, going solar can also reduce bills, increase home value, and much more! We’ll weigh the pros and cons of solar energy to help you determine if solar is right for you.

Benefits of Solar Energy:

1. Minimize or Erase Your Energy Bills With Solar

Are you tired of paying high utility bills month-to-month? We don’t blame you. Luckily, solar panels help reduce or altogether eliminate the electricity or power you need from your local power and gas companies. Solar panels generate energy to replace and reduce the power you need.

Plus, with Solar Negotiators, you get installation, monitoring, and maintenance at no additional cost. So you won’t need to worry about solar panels draining your wallet. After installation, watch your utility bills decrease, and your savings skyrocket over time.

2. Have Control Over Your Electricity

A solar panel system on your home can provide independence from utility providers while providing predictable electric expenses. Historically energy rates have continued to increase consistently over the years. Owning solar panels allows you to avoid rate increases, while still providing dependable backup power when the grid goes down. 

The United States has the most power outages of any developed country, which will only increase due to catastrophic weather occurrences and an aging power grid. A solar-powered house battery will keep you safe and provide energy during a power outage. With that being said, we recommend you do additional research to find the best possible solution for Backup Power Options in terms of budget. Many consumers are also looking for generators to solve their backup power needs. However, a battery is still optimal for consumers who need to keep their home powered if they have certain medical needs.  

3. Increase Home Value

Another advantage of installing solar panels and batteries in your home is that it increases the value of your property. Solar panels increase the value of a home by 4.1 percent on average in the United States. That implies a $500,000 property might see a $20,500 rise.

Figures vary depending on the installation and location, but recent studies suggest that each kilowatt of solar panels added increases the resale value by $4,020 to $5,911 on average.

At Solar Negotiators, we advocate system ownership because we want to offer our clients the best financial return on their investment. Leasing presents the opportunity to reduce your monthly energy costs. However, similar to a car lease, you can never own the car no matter how much you pay toward the cost of driving it.

4. Take Advantage of Solar Bill Credits

Because of a wide array of solar incentives in the United States, solar panels can make you money in addition to delivering bill savings that cover the cost of the system. Solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) and net metering are two solar benefits that allow you to earn bill credits as your system generates electricity. In these cases, you get compensated for the electricity generated by your solar panels. If you live in a state that offers either of these incentives, you can expect both immediate and long-term profits from your solar investment.

5. Help The Environment

Traditional power is created by using fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. When fossil fuels are used to generate energy, toxic gases are released, which leads to air pollution and global climate change. Fossil fuels are not only detrimental to the environment, but they are also a limited resource. 

Solar power systems, on the other hand, harness the sun’s clean, pure energy. When solar panels replace traditional power systems, greenhouse gas emissions, and our collective reliance on fossil fuels, decrease. 

Solar energy is also beneficial during a drought or heatwave. Water is used extensively in cooling coal, natural gas, and nuclear power plants that provide traditional power. Solar power systems, on the other hand, do not require water to generate electricity.

Disadvantages of Solar Energy:

At Solar Negotiators, we believe that the benefits of solar energy far outweigh the disadvantages.  However, there are some downsides to solar that you should consider.  

1. High Up-Front Cost

In the long run, solar is a no-brainer for saving money.  Unfortunately, high up-front costs can be associated with setting up your solar system on your home. These costs are essential to keep in mind when planning for solar.  Fortunately, there are multiple solar financing options available. 

2. Prepping your home for solar

Another disadvantage of solar energy is that you cannot install panels immediately on just any roof.  Depending on the age of your home and the material of your roof, there may be expensive prep work necessary before your solar system can be installed. 

Solar panels do not work for every roof, so it is important to know whether or not your roof and home are compatible with solar in their current state or if there are repairs or work that need to be done beforehand. Learn more about making your home solar ready.

Enjoy The Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar Negotiators can help you receive all the benefits of going solar. Want to learn more before going solar? Check out our free ebook to understand the process behind going solar. Ready to take the plunge? Contact us today to get a free quote and go solar with Solar Negotiators!