Get Superior Return On Investment
As long as the sun rises, solar power rates cant go up. Even if its only supplying a portion of your energy needs, a solar power system provides a hedge against rising utility costs. Your initial investment will quickly repay itself, providing you with ongoing savings for years to come.
“It will take between six and seven years to get our money and finance charges paid back on this project. It has made a lot of financial sense for our company.“
– Cowley Companies CEO, Mike Cowley, speaking about their recent 2.4 megawatt installation on an 850,000-square-foot warehouse, one of the largest in the nation.
Advantages Of Using Solar Energy
As the years move forward, the advancements in technology are considered to be life-changing in many different aspects and have provided ease to human life.
Solar energy, specifically, has made a lot of advancements.
In the present year, its a whole lot easier to buy solar panels and to set them up to get electricity from sunlight.
But come to think of it, how is this energy used and in how many aspects?
In addition to this, is solar energy an excellent alternative to fossil fuel and other resources that harm the planets environment?
If given a short answer, then yes, solar energy is beneficial in many aspects, and yes, its an excellent alternative source of generating electricity.
There are many benefits of using solar energy over fossil fuels, which include environmental, budget, efficiency, and many other aspects.
But let us elaborate it a bit.
Day by day, the use of solar energy is becoming more and more popular.
Solar energy is a lot cheaper than any other form of electricity as its just a one-time installation, unlike other non-renewable forms, which cost a lot.
Solar energy is pollution-free as it involves no burning, which leads to no greenhouse gases to be released into the environment.
It further provides a clean source of power and as the sun is a renewable source which also leads to the fact that its available all the time.
As a matter of fact, these solar panels use batteries to conserve energy in them to use it later i.e. during cloudy days or the night.
Best Value Solar Panels
With all this in mind, below are our recommendations for the most affordable home solar panels on the market in 2021.
| Most Affordable | |
|---|---|
| 20.2% | 25-year output warranty |
LONGi and Q Cell are two of the most affordable solar brands that maintain reputations for good quality at a low price. As you can see, they both provide exceptional price per watt and efficiency without sacrificing warranty.
A solar installation with low price per watt and high efficiency provides a number of benefits for a solar customer. With more power and efficiency per panel, a homeowner won’t need to purchase as many panels to meet their household energy needs.
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What Is A Solar Panel
A panel, which is specially designed to soak up the suns radiation and then use it to generate electricity.
They convert light into electricity.
Its usually called photovoltaics by some scientists, which means light-electricity.
A solar panel is an assortment of solar cells that absorb the suns rays and convert the heat energy into electric energy, making it useful to light up different appliances or electronic devices.
Solar panels use the sun, our most crucial star as a source of power generation, which not only generates electricity but also helps plants grow, provide humans with Vitamin D, and calms a stressed mind and is now one of the most powerful and familiar sources of energy.
Is Solar Pv A Good Investment
Buying solar panels is a long-term investment that should help cut your electricity bills and carbon footprint. But will they pay for themselves and earn you money?And could they affect the value of your home? Read on to find out more.
Solar panels are often marketed as a way to save money on electricity, and sometimes as a way to make money too. This is because you can get paid for the electricity they produce and you don’t use.
Keep reading to find out how long it’s likely to take to break even if you buy in solar panels, and how much you could earn from them.
Plus our unique survey of estate agents reveals the effect solar panels will have on the value of your home.
If you’ve decided to go ahead with solar panels, use our solar panel brand reviews to find the right solar PV option for you.
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Impact Of Solar Panels On Property Value
These factors can all have an impact, too:
- the age of the solar panels
- whether theyre owned by a company rather than the homeowner
- their effect on the appearance of the property.
Also, remember that the system’s inverter might need changing over the 25-year period and that, over time, the panels will reduce in efficiency. These factors need to be considered if you invest in solar PV and want to sell your home later on.
If youre buying a property with solar panels installed, its worth getting a surveyor to check them.
We’ve spoken to solar panel experts and solar panel owners for their top tips onMake the most of your solar panels.
**NAEA Propertymark surveyed 1,252 estate agent businesses for Which? in June 2017.
Replies To Is Solar Power Cost Effective Not Really
This post brought to you by Koch Industries.
Meanwhile, even the International Energy Agency, no friend of renewables, is forced to admit that renewable energy prices are becoming cost-competitive with fossil fuels.
Becoming cost competitive and BEING cost competitive are two entirely different things. Solar PV is becoming cost competitive because the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army is massively subsidizing their domestic industry in building PV panels which are then dumped into the US and European markets. That has forced Euro and US Solar producers to take action to remain viable in the market. Several US and European panel manufacturers have gone under already. Having renewable energy at the cost of subsidizing communism and child and slave labor is no bargain. Being in the solar industry and having watched the PV plant on our site be forced to lay off 25% of our workforce due to Chinese Red Army subsidized competition upsets me. We are losing our green jobs to slavers and child abusers. Theres your price of cost competitive renewable energy. Wake up and pay attention to whats actually going on.
If you think RGF supports utility monopolies, youre crazy. Id love to see real deregulation. Id also love to see externalities accurately measured and allocated. Im not convinced this would shift the cost/benefit ratio in favor of renewables.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does A Solar System Cost
What Is Solar Power For The Home
Homeowners who install photovoltaic power systems receive numerous benefits: lower electric bills, lower carbon footprints, and potentially higher home values. But these benefits typically come with significant installation and maintenance costs, and the magnitude of the gains can vary widely from one house to another. This article will help homeowners make the financial calculations required to determine the viability of solar power in their homes.
What Happens To The Solar Panels If I Move Out
If you get solar panels installed and later decide to move home, you can’t take the panels, smart export guarantee or feed-in tariff payments with you.
Solar payments are paid to the owner of the property where the solar panels are installed, so normally when you move, the new owner will receive the payments.
While you could physically remove the panels from your old home and install them on the new one, you still wouldn’t receive payments, as the panels would be considered ‘second-hand’ and so not eligible for the scheme.
It’s also worth noting solar panel installations are tailored to each home to fit the roof and be positioned to maximise the level of sunlight they receive so it’s likely they wouldn’t perform as well if you installed them on a different home.
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Factors Affecting Utility Prices
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electrical rates across the country have more than doubled in the past 15 years. Whether your electricity is generated by coal, natural gas or oil, many factors, such as growing consumer demand, play a role in how much you pay to power your property. Early adopters have already saved countless dollars by switching to solar power.
Adding a solar installation doesnt mean going off the grid. Many properties choose to remain connected to their utility provider for backup power when their solar installation alone isnt generating enough electricity. This also creates a potentially lucrative revenue stream when your solar panels are producing more than you need, the excess can be sold back to the grid and appear as a credit on your next utility bill.
Empires 65 year commitment to quality products, excellent service and superior workmanship will ensure you get a solar system that fits your needs.
How Long Do Solar Panels Take To Pay For Themselves
How long it will take for your solar panels to pay for themselves, and whether you can make money from them, will depend on:
- the cost of your solar PV system
- how much of the electricity generated you are able to use
- whether, and how much, you are paid for electricity exported.
A more expensive system upfront will need to be balanced with how much money you can save by using the renewable electricity it generates , plus how much you can earn from selling any excess.
Which? members can log in to see examples of how long it can take for solar panels to pay for themselves. if you’re not a member, join Which? to see our calculations.
| Out until 6pm |
|---|
| Electricity bill savings |
| Smart Export Guarantee payment |
| Years to break even |
You can cut the time your solar system takes to pay for itself by several years by finding the best SEG tariff rate, so you get paid more for electricity you produce. Find out how much you could earn with the Smart Export Guarantee.
If you’ve had your solar panels for a while and get Feed-In Tariff payments, you also get paid for how much electricity you generate. See tips to make the most of your Feed-In Tariff.
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How Much Does The Solar Panel System Cost
This is the hardest question to answer because there are so many variables. The cost of installing a solar PV system will depend where you live, the size of the system , complexity of the installation, and the panel type and manufacturer.
Always get at least three quotes from local installers before making your choice. Once you have some firm prices, you can compare the cost against the potential savings, and calculate your return on investment.
Subsidies and incentives may be available in your area to reduce the cost of your solar panel installation check with your government, state or local authorities.
Remember that solar panels and the associated electrical equipment may need cleaning and maintenance, so you should factor in the ongoing costs too.
How Much Do Solar Panels Save
Switching to a solar energy system could potentially cut your energy bill by 75%. The savings you and your family see will depend greatly on where you live, what the climate is like and your particular energy needs. For instance, an average homeowner in Portland, Oregon, will see total savings of $38,000, whereas a homeowner in Los Angeles could save as much as $90,000 over 20 years.
Many solar energy companies provide a free calculator tool to help you easily estimate the cost and savings of installing solar panels on your home. Different solar calculators may estimate electricity costs in different ways. Numbers can be based on the national average, regional averages or other information you provide.
The average American electric bill is between $100 and $200 per month, and the average yearly energy cost is about $1,500. Depending on how much you pay out-of-pocket for the solar panel system, it could take five to 15 years to break even. To calculate how long it will take you to break even on savings versus the cost of your solar panels, first subtract your incentives and rebates from your costs. Divide that number by the amount you are saving on utility bills per year.
Even if your solar panels generate 100% of your electricity needs, you may still receive a utility bill. However, instead of asking for payments, you will get net metering credits for the month.
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How Solar Power Works
The sun releases energy light and heat called radiation. It can be harnessed by using solar panels that contain photovoltaics , which absorb the radiation and convert it into electricity. The sun only emits radiation during the day and is affected by elements like cloud cover, so it has to be combined with a method of energy storage.
Do you want to obtain solar power? Consider installing a solar power system for your home. You can get your local electrician to personally install your solar panels for you.
Now, lets take a look at the 8 benefits of using solar power.
Your Roof Isnt Suitable For Solar Panels
When solar panels are installed on homes, they are nearly always on the roof. This is because the roof has the two necessary ingredients to host solar panels: surface space , and sun exposure .
But what if you dont have a roof to call your own, or you have a roof but it just isnt up to the job? Here are all the factors that could either prevent a successful solar installation or make it uneconomic:
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Is Solar Power Cost Effective Not Really
Liberal New York Times columnist Paul Krugman recently wrote a column touting the fact that solar-generated electrical power is now cost-effective. Perhaps Krugman has not seen the chart below:
To further explain why Krugman is simply ignoring reality, check out this excellent post from Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center . Myers will be traveling to New Mexico to discuss his new book Eco Fads in February of 2012.
Temperature But Not Like Youd Expect
If you live in a cold, sunny area, youre in luck! This is the perfect environment to get the most out of your solar panels. Solar panels are more efficient in colder climates than they are in warmer ones.
On top of that, snow acts as a mirror, and it can reflect sunlight off the ground back onto your solar panels, so they get more sunlight than they do without snow.
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Falling Cost Of Renewables
The report found a 16% fall in the cost of concentrating solar-thermal power technology systems that use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver.
The cost of onshore wind projects fell by 13%, and offshore wind projects by 9%.
Solar photovoltaics the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials saw project costs fall by 7%. IRENA reported that the cost of electricity from utility-scale solar PV plunged 85% in the decade to 2020.
IRENAs report also covers hydropower, geothermal, bioenergy and renewable heat.
Complete Guide For Solar Power British Columbia 2021
Congratulations! Youve found the ultimate guide for going solar in British Columbia!
British Columbia is currently ranked the #6 province in the country for installing a solar power system, scoring as one of the best provinces for installation costs and utility-related factors.
This page contains all relevant information about installing solar in BC including utility policies, system financing, solar incentives, and natural factors
This guide is sponsored by Empower Energy, a residential and commercial solar developer serving all of British Columbia. to visit their website and to get a free cost estimate.
The guide begins by answering the two most common questions about solar systems, then it explores each solar ranking factor.
You can read from top to bottom, or skip to your preferred section by clicking on it below:
| 3. System Costs |
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To Get The Most Go With The Pros
It is possible to do a DIY solar power installation. But its smarter to go with the pros. Their experience and professional advice will keep you safe. Youll be able to get the best deals and the most application out of your new solar power system.
Solar panels today are cheaper and more efficient than ever before. On top of that, solar tax credits have recently been extended. You can get a tax credit worth 26% of your system if you install it in 2020. But that drops to only 22% in 2021, and wont exist after that unless Congress decides to renew the bill.
So if youre looking to get solar, there is no better time than today.
Youre Not Eligible For Incentives And Rebates
When it comes to solar power, government incentives and rebates are extremely important.
The most important of these is the solar Investment Tax Credit , which is offered by the federal government and has helped grow the solar industry by 10,000% since its enactment in 2006. The ITC is currently worth 26% you can use it to save over a quarter of the price of your solar system. This incentive can play a huge role in improving the payback period of a solar system purchase.
Additional incentives are usually available at the state level, and sometimes at the local level, as well. Right now, 38 states offer net metering, a valuable incentive that allows you to sell your electricity to the utility company at retail rates, while other states, such as New York, offer state tax credits worth thousands of dollars.
But if youre in a situation where you dont qualify for incentives the federal tax credit, for instance, only applies if you pay federal taxes to begin with then solar energy may not be right for you.
Learn more: Find out which solar incentives and rebates you qualify for
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