1. SAVE MONEY NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
Solar will save you money on electricity costs and protect you from future rate increases.
Electricity rates are at an all time high and will continue to increase. If you could have paid some money 5 years ago to lock in gas prices at $1.50 a gallon, then you’d be glad now. This is what you’re doing when you switch to solar – increasing your financial security by fixing your future electricity costs.
2. INCREASE YOUR HOME VALUE
Solar increases your home’s value – often by more than the cost of the solar electric system itself.
A 1998 study by ICF Consulting concluded that saving $1 per year on energy costs adds $20 to a home’s value. Saving $1,000 per year increases your home’s value by $20,000.
3. BEAT OTHER INVESTMENTS
Especially with the current market, your return on a solar investment may be higher than what you could get with other investments.
As Massachusetts residents LuAnn Kuder and Maureen O’Brien discovered, they can “beat” Wall Street by investing in solar. Over the past 100 years, the stock market has returned just below 10% per year, on average. Your solar ROI will likely beat this, especially in states with high electricity rates.
4. PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
Using solar power from your roof reduces the amount of “brown power” produced by utility companies which means fewer emissions, less pollution, and a cleaner environment.
Coal and natural gas-fired power plants emit greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, radioactive materials, and heavy metals. In other words, power plants contribute to smog, acid rain, and global warming, which affect public health and our society’s future.
5. INCREASE NATIONAL SECURITY
Installing a solar system reduces your dependence on foreign energy sources.
We’re becoming more and more reliant on foreign energy sources. The U.S. currently imports the majority of its energy supplies and has imported 166,270 million cubic feet more natural gas every year since 1985. We’re spending both human lives and trasure to protect our foreign supplies.
6. KEEP MONEY AND JOBS AT HOME
Supporting renewable energy in the U.S. helps to improve our economy by keeping money and jobs at home. These jobs get created when you make the decision to go solar.
A recent study demonstrated that almost half a million permanent jobs and $232 billion in investment would be supported by the solar energy industry alone if Congress extends the federal tax rebates for solar for 8 years.
7. REDUCE YOUR DEPENDENCE ON THE GRID
A solar electric system is like a mini power plant on your roof. Producing the energy right where you need it is smart and efficient.
67% of the energy in fossil fuels is lost when it’s converted to electricity. Of the electricity generated, 9-10% is lost as heat when transported over hundreds of miles to your home. With solar on your roof, you don’t waste energy or money because virtually all the power you make is used in your home.
8. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES
With the combination of state and federal rebates, the cost of your solar electric system is significantly reduced.
As a homeowner, you are eligible for a $2,000 federal income tax credit. Many states offer solar rebates as well, the most generous of which are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.
9. NEW AFFORDABLE SOLAR OPTIONS
As companies and local governments innovate, solar electricity is becoming more and more affordable.
In many states, companies and governments have started to offer new ways for homeowners to go solar. Whether this is a city-sponsored solar loan, a home solar service (PPA), or a solar lease, each of these significantly reduces your upfront cost.
10. SPREAD THE WORD
Being the first on your block to install a solar electric system will inspire your neighbors to do it too.
Just looking at Google Maps can show that solar electric systems tend to be clustered in groups. When your neighbors realize all the benefits you’re reaping with your system, they’ll have lots of questions for you. You’re doing a great thing not only for yourself but also for the country by spreading the word.
Are you in California and interested in solar for your home? Call us at 877.SUN.MOJO or visit our website to learn more.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it is great that you are promoting solar energy. I do wonder approximately how much they cost for the average home? And can you become completely dependent on one for all of your energy needs?
Thank-you,
Kate
Have you considered the ‘energy cost of production’?
You can write off the first 4 years or so in the energy it takes to make the PV array. After that, it’s all good though. Apart from the fact that the economic payback time is at least double the environmental payback time…
Passive solar heating has a much shorter payback time.
Hi Kate, here are answers to your questions:
Cost is determined by the size of your system which is determined by how much electricity you use. In general, I’d say that an average size system might cost $35,000-$40,000 with the smallest systems around $18,000. All those numbers are before rebates, which vary from state to state and sometimes within states. The cost question is a tricky one to answer for all those reasons! Fortunately, SunRun Solar Service cuts down the upfront cost a lot so it’s not quite so pricey.
As for your other question: while you can be fully dependent on solar for your energy needs, it’s recommended that you still stay hooked up to the grid so you can use it like a battery. Some homeowners choose to offset only a portion of their electricity usage – this is often the most economical depending on how your utility company charges for power – and others choose to install a bigger system to offset virtually all of their usage. It’s up to you!
Hope that helps!
Lately there was a buzz about thin film solar roof shingles ( http://www.onlinesolarpanels.com/solar-shingles.php ), I was wondering if this technology is a real breakthrough, and what are the good and bad things of these solar shingles.
Thanks
I helped my father-in-law install a solar system three years ago on their farm. The farm is now fully self sufficient, and they’re actually selling power back to the local electric company. Prior to doing this, I personally wasn’t really sold on the benefits of solar. Now I’ve seen proof positive with my own eyes. Anyone even remotely close to thinking about installing solar…please do it!
Hi Gwawdiwr,
Reducing your home’s carbon footprint is a great way to make a difference and help protect the environment. And adding solar electricity at home can reduce a residential carbon footprint from a size-14 work boot down to a dainty little baby shoe.
Of course, the carbon footprint of your solar panels’ manufacturing is something to consider. But according to the International Energy Agency (IEA 2006), the amount of energy used to manufacture a solar panel will be generated by that same panel in only 1.67 years, when placed in California sunlight conditions.
After that, the electricity from your solar panels is 100% emissions-free. And that’s a lot better for the earth than carbon-belching coal and natural gas power plants that would otherwise power your home.
Hi Submit Alternative Energy Article,
Thanks for reading and for your comment. Solar shingles or BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics) are certainly great for aesthetics. Unfortunately they’re not very efficient. This is partly because they’re thin film panels, which we talked about a little bit here: http://sweetsolarhome.com/?p=132. It’s also because they don’t get the air circulation they need because they’re part of the roof (when panels get hot, they get less efficient). Because of these two reasons, to get the same power output, you have to buy more panels, which also makes it more expensive. Of course, if you want something that blends into your roof, they’re the way to go!
Thank you Sydney for your informative answer. It certainly cleared the issue for me.
Great story and fantastic blog and site. We will keep working for a brighter future!
Keep working, great job!
Top 10 Reasons to Install a Solar Electric System? Seriously? I was searching Google for how the pollution and industry affects our enviroment and found this… will have to think about it.
sounds nice and all, but i guess the big question is ‘how much does it cost to have such a thing installed’?
-Jack
Jack -
We’d love to help you go solar! The cost depends on the size of system you need for your home and where you’re located. To get a customized quote for your home, please visit our website and request a quote at http://www.sunrunhome.com/account/setup/step1/
We look forward to hearing from you!
The SunRun Team
Why would you say that?
Just read this on Google’s website…isn’t this remarkable?
“In the last 24 hours, Google produced 7,014 kilowatt-hours of electricity from the sun.”
Google’s installation produces enough electricity to power 30% of Google’s peak electricity demand in our solar powered buildings at our Mountain View, CA headquarters. That’s the equivalent of approximately 1,000 California homes.
I really liked the way you wrote this article. It often helps to get hold of a decent guide and set of plans before undertaking a DIY solar panel project. Nigel
Im having some solar panels put in soon, I think its a much better way to save money long term and the climate. Everyone should be using them its the 21st century.
Great article keep up the work.
{ 4 trackbacks }