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When it comes to having rooftop solar panels, it’s not uncommon for people to assume that they’ll have electricity to power their home during a blackout. And at first blush, this makes sense. Solar panels make electricity. You have solar panels. Ergo, you should have electricity. Unfortunately, that isn’t quite the way it works. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible!

Without a doubt, every single home improvement project is weighed with a variety of considerations - and one of the biggest is “how much will this cost?” That’s because - unfortunately - most of us aren’t so flush with cash that we can take on large projects without consulting our bank accounts. But, what about solar panels? We hear this question pretty often: “I thought it wasn’t going to cost me anything?” Well, it’s actually kind of true!

Let’s be real. Most people that are looking to go solar think about the financial benefits and incentives. These incentives consist of various federal and state rebates and credits. And although they are definitely enticing, they can also be a little confusing. Here are some common questions we get:

• Will I get a tax credit?
• Will I be able to deduct this on my taxes?
• Am I eligible for any state rebates or incentives?

Anytime a home or business owner makes a large investment in their property, they want to be assured that it’s a good one. No one wants to spend their hard-earned money on something only to find out after it’s been paid off that it needs to be replaced or that it’s reached end of life. And that goes double for something that’s semi-permanently attached to the exterior of their home like solar panels.

As you’re researching whether or not to invest in solar panels, you may find yourself wondering how the perfect system will be designed for your home. When it comes to solar panel arrays, one size definitely does not fit all. Even two homes with the exact same design and dimensions may require different array designs based on factors such as: 

• how much energy they use on a daily/monthly basis
• the direction the roof faces
• how much sun and shade they get during the day
• the climate they’re in

It’s pretty awesome that when you install solar panels, you’re doing a big part to help the environment and combat climate change. But, let’s be real. We know that for many people, the number one motivator in a solar panel investment is the potential return on that investment. That is, everyone wants to save money on their energy bills. And we don’t blame them! The costs of energy are only increasing and an opportunity to save money that doesn’t leave you sitting in the dark is a good one.

One of the biggest reasons that home and business owners choose to invest in solar panels is to save money on their electric bills. And that’s probably why you’re thinking of investing in going solar. But, you might have concerns about how this could affect your homeowner’s insurance. It’s important to note that if you’re purchasing your panels outright or investing in a solar loan then you’ll want to ensure that your homeowner’s insurance has coverage for panels. However, if you’re investing in a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), then your panels will be insured and maintained for 25 years by your solar panel provider.

Did you know that with your solar panel installation you can have not only active energy but extra stored energy? And this extra energy - that’s stored in a battery - can help you save even more money on your energy bill than solar panels alone. If it sounds too good to be true - it isn’t!

Are you considering having a solar panel system installed on your home? One of the things you might be wondering is how it will affect your home value. After all, a solar panel installation is a big investment that can save you money on your energy bill (and help the environment too!).

The solar energy industry is growing by leaps and bounds, which is good news for both the environment and consumers. When you’re choosing your solar provider (or many other providers) there’s always something to be said for going local. How often do you make purchasing decisions based on the location of the vendor or service provider?