Going Solar: 10 Major Benefits of Solar Power for Your Home
There are financial and environmental benefits of going solar. This guide lists 10 major benefits of solar power for your home.
The United States now boastsover two million solar installations. That’s an incredible jump of almost 1.9 million from 2010. Most solar panels — nearly half of them, in fact — are in California.
If the Golden State can have such an impressive achievement, so can Florida. It’s the Sunshine State, after all.
With that said, you may still be on the fence about the benefits of solar power. You may be wondering what good it will do if you transition to this energy source.
In that case, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best reasons to go solar, so be sure to read on!
1. Solar Power Is Now Cheaper Than Fossil Fuel Energy
The cost of solar power has dropped so much that it now costs less than fossil fuels. The technology used in PV modules has also improved a lot, leading to even more solar panel benefits. These innovations have resulted in better quality yet more affordable panels.
What’s more, the federal government has extended the tax incentive for going solar. If you commence the project on or before December 31, 2020, you can get a 26% tax credit.
Note that the incentive will drop to 22% the following year. Any installations after December 31, 2021, will no longer come with any tax benefit.
If you need financial help for setting up your solar PV system, you’re in luck, thanks to zero-down programs. If you qualify, then you won’t have to shell out anything to get the installation completed.
With that said, it’s best to consider getting your solar PV panels set up as soon as possible. The higher incentive for this year can help make your solar PV system much more affordable. Besides, the sooner you go solar, the sooner you can enjoy cheaper energy.
2. Significant Reduction to Zero Reliance on Electricity
Depending on how much sun your area gets, you can make a full switch to solar. This is where one of the advantages of solar panels comes into play: getting rid of electricity bills. In doing so, you’ll also be one step closer to having a zero-energy home.
If you’re thinking of a solar installation in Tampa, Florida, going full-on solar won’t be an issue.
Granted, not all 365 days are bright and sunny in FL — more like 250 days on average. This still wouldn’t be a problem, as high-quality PV modules still work even during cloudy days.
As for rain, it’s much like a cleansing shower for your panels, as the water can wash away debris on their surface. Having a dirt-free surface, in turn, helps make your PV modules operate efficiently.
In any case, using solar power will decrease your need to tap the local grid. Even if you were to use only 50% solar, that would still mean cutting your electricity bill by half.
3. Recoup Your Expenses From Day One
You can start recouping your installation costs from the very first day you use solar power. After all, you’re already drawing free energy from your solar PV installation. The less you rely on your local utility company, the less money you’ll end up paying them.
4. Considerable Cash Savings
If you go completely solar, then that means 100% elimination of your electrical bill. If you’re paying an average of $120 a month for electricity, then you get to keep all of that. That’s $1,440 worth of free energy a year, or $14,400 in 10 years.
So, if your installation costs amount to say, $15,000, it would only take a little over ten years to get your money back. You can then stow everything else you save after this into your retirement funds.
You’ve got a long time to build that savings account, seeing as the best solar PV panels have a warranty of up to 25 years. Even if it would take you 15 years to recoup your costs, you still have ten full years (or more) to save with solar.
5. Protection Against Electricity Price Hikes
Electricity prices are volatile because its main source of energy — fossil fuels — is running out. The more that humans exhaust these materials, the more expensive electricity will get.
You can protect yourself from these price hikes by making the switch to solar. Since you’ll be independent of electricity providers, you’ll stop being at their mercy. You can even look at it this way: the higher the rates go up, the more money you get to save.
High-quality solar panels can protect you from jacked up prices for more than two decades.
6. Compatibility With Solar-Powered Appliances
Aside from using solar PV panels to light and power up your home, you can also use the sun’s energy to heat your water. This is doable with the installation of a hybrid hot water system. Instead of using fire or electricity for your hot water, you’ll use the limitless heat of the sun.
There are now also solar-powered home heating equipment, refrigerators, and freezers. Investing in these appliances can help you save even more since they use even less energy. As such, pairing them up with your PV system can yield even greater savings.
7. Clean and Green Source of Energy
Keep in mind that the use of fossil fuels is among the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). GHGs, in turn, go hand and hand with global warming.
Left unaddressed, global warming would make the world hotter than it already is. This could then lead to more glaciers melting, which would result in higher sea levels. The higher the sea levels rise, the more flooding that will occur.
Solar power is one of the cleanest and most sustainable sources of energy. Its non-pollutant, and it doesn’t add to the growing issue of greenhouse gases.
8. Reduced Production of Carbon Dioxide
Exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide can lead to many health issues. For starters, it can cause breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness, and even hypertension.
The thing is, a massive portion of CO2 in the air comes from the burning of fossil fuels. As of the latest report, the concentration of this gas in the atmosphere is over 415 parts per million. At this level, it won’t be a surprise to hear that more people will get sick due to CO2 pollution.
There’s still hope for humanity, though: solar power itself doesn’t generate carbon dioxide. By going solar, you’re reducing the need to burn more fossil fuels. This, in turn, means you’ll reduce your contribution to CO2 pollution.
9. Fewer Air Pollutants Means Better Indoor Air Quality
The more people who go solar, the fewer GHGs will mix with and get stuck in the air. Ultimately, this will make the air cleaner and healthier. As a result, the air that would enter your home would also be less-polluted.
These are only a few of the green advantages of solar energy, but they should be enough to make you want to switch now.
10. Keep the Lights and Power on Even During Outages
In 2017 alone, 3,500 instances of outages occurred in the US. These “blackouts” affected a staggering 37 million people throughout the country.
Inconveniences aside, power outages also contribute to increased safety and security threats. Having no light, for instance, can result in accidents like slips, trips, and falls. If you rely on a wired home security system, then having no power means you can become a target of property crimes.
Blackouts can also have secondary health effects, such as heat- and cold-related conditions. For instance, if the power goes out during a sweltering Florida day, then you can’t rely on your AC for cold air. If your home gets quite hot, then you might end up suffering from heat cramps or exhaustion.
Let’s not forget about the potential food waste that can occur with extended outages. Without power, your fridge won’t be able to keep the food out of the danger zone. If you keep your fridge fully-stocked, you may end up having to throw its contents due to spoilage.
Having a solar PV system can help prevent all of these issues. Since you no longer rely on a utility company, outages that affect them won’t have anything to do with you. You can keep your home illuminated and safe even when the rest of your neighborhood goes dark.
Start Reaping All These Benefits of Solar Power Now
There you have it, your comprehensive guide on the top benefits of solar power. As you can see, going solar can have a huge impact not only on your retirement savings but also on the environment. So, as early as now, consider getting those PV panels installed.
Once you’re ready to make the switch to cleaner, greener power, we here at West Bay Energy can help. Please feel free to request your free solar power quote now or give us a call to learn more about our $0-down offer!