Going green has been a popular trend that not only shrinks your carbon footprint but also reduces your energy bill. One concrete step you can take in this regard is installing a solar power system for your home or business. According to News.energysage.com, in early 2019, the US exceeded 2 million solar system installations. However, before you arrange for a solar panel install, it's important to do your research to determine if the investment is worthwhile. Start by asking the following smart questions, to which we have fortunately provided detailed answers.

What's the Cost of a Solar Panel Install?

The exact cost of solar depends on various factors, such as the size of your solar energy system and how much of your energy bill you're looking to offset. In addition, different types of roofs or ground-mounted solar arrays will also affect installation costs. Overall, when budgeting for a solar panel install, you have to factor in the cost of the solar panels, labor, associated equipment, and permits, and the costs can generally be anywhere from $15 000 to $30 000 before incentives. This may seem costly, but it's not so when you consider the long-term savings that solar brings. In addition, you will be able to save costs if you qualify for Focus on Energy rebates and utilize federal tax credits. You can also look into financing options available from the solar company you're working with or your local lender.

What Type of Solar Panels Are Best For My Home?

Solar panels are not made equal, so you should understand all the options available on the market. The main features to look out for when comparing solar panels are physical size, the capacity of each module, where the module is manufactured and the quality of the equipment. A high-quality installation firm will be able to provide you with the details of the modules that they use and the relevant information as to why they chose that particular solar module. You can also do your research to find the best solar panel brand to ensure you only purchase quality products.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

Investing in solar can be a large upfront investment, especially if you're looking to offset 100% of your energy use. So before making the investment, you should be interested in knowing how long your solar panels last. Fortunately, most solar panels have a warranty of up to 25 years. Solar panel technology continues to improve, so you can even expect your solar panels to last longer than this with proper maintenance. However, solar panels will not last forever because their efficiency will decline due to external factors and wear and tear. If you're dealing with an accredited solar company, you should expect to receive several warranties that come with your purchase. For instance, if the company is doing the installation, you can also receive a workmanship warranty in addition to the panel warranties.

Why Should I Go Solar?

Even if you're familiar with the benefits of solar energy, you still want to know how they benefit you in particular. In a nutshell, solar energy has many advantages for you and the environment. For starters, solar energy is a renewable energy source that's freely available, so the investment you make will be accessible forever. The biggest advantage of investing in solar is that your energy bill will shrink considerably since your solar system is now generating some of the energy you need, for free. The bigger the size of your solar array, the more you'll save as long as you don't drastically increase your energy consumption. Also, solar energy systems are relatively low maintenance and come with a lengthy warranty. The good news is that as the technology development in the solar power industry keeps advancing, you can look forward to more benefits.

Where Can I Find the Best Solar Company?

With so many solar companies vying for your attention, you may be wondering how to find the right option with your best interests at heart. This can easily be achieved by asking more questions! For instance, a solar panel salesman from a reputable company should be able to answer any questions you have in mind. How do solar panel systems work? What value do your products offer? What's the cost of installation?

These are the smart questions to ask before making a move to solar. If the answers are anything to go by, a solar panel install is a great investment with an impressive ROI. We are here to make the transition to solar even smoother for you, so get in touch. We would love to hear from you!