Are you considering using more solar energy? Roxaco LLC can help you get high-quality solar equipment in your home. Our remodeling company will set you up with panels and other solar-powered tools in your home, and we make the process simple. We're committed to making it easier for residents of the Metro West & Greater Boston Area to take advantage of the benefits of solar energy.
Call 508-745-8237 to learn more about going solar. You can also get more information by clicking here.
There are plenty of reasons why you should think about using solar energy. Here are just a few of its benefits:
Better for the Environment
Is a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production. Because ground-mounted photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power installations require the use of land, sites need to be selected, designed, and managed to minimize impacts to local wildlife, wildlife habitat, and soil and water resources.
Though the price tag for a new solar setup is significant, a number of federal and state rebate programs can help offset the cost. The Federal Tax Credit (2022) offers up to a 26% rebate on the price of a new solar installation. Additionally, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency can help consumers find discounts of up to several thousand dollars within their states.
There's no single answer to how much a consumer can actually save by switching to solar other than, "usually a lot." Several major factors can help you calculate the potential savings for your household:
Electricity prices from the utility company vary widely from region to region and have only gone up over the years. A look at your local power costs can provide you with a starting point for your calculations.
The number of daylight hours and the local climate will have an impact on the amount of power your panels can produce. A system receiving ample hours of sunlight will produce electricity reliably and efficiently. Latitude and season can both limit the number of daylight hours available for your panels to harvest energy. While temperature does not affect solar panel energy production, solar panels work best when it's bright and sunny outside and can lose some efficiency if it's rainy or overcast.
Most homeowners know that solar panels reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. Those long-term savings help boost your home's property value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), your home value increases by $20 for every $1 you save on energy bills. For example, if your solar energy system saves you $700 per year, the value of your home increases by $14,000.
Real estate agents and home appraisers have found that this also increases your market value when selling your home. A 2021 Zillow housing trends report found that 67% of homebuyers considered energy efficiency to be a "very to extremely important" inclusion for a potential home. Homebuyers are willing to pay $15,000 or more for a solar powered-home, according to a large-scale solar home study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
This push for energy-efficient homes translates to higher home sale prices for sellers. Prospective buyers will spend 4.1% more for a solar-powered home, or around $9,274. These boosted resale values are even higher in certain housing markets. In New York, for example, buyers will pay an additional $23,989 for a solar home versus comparable homes.
Each individual panel is constructed of a layer of silicon cells, a metal frame, a glass casing surrounded by a special film, and wiring. For maximum effect, the panels are grouped together into "arrays" (an ordered series) and placed on rooftops or in large outdoor spaces. The solar cells, which are also referred to as photovoltaic cells, absorb sunlight during daylight hours.
Within each solar cell is a thin semiconductor wafer made from two layers of silicon. One layer is positively charged, and the other negatively charged, forming an electric field. When light energy from the sun strikes a photovoltaic solar cell, it energizes the cell and causes electrons to 'come loose' from atoms within the semiconductor wafer. Those loose electrons are set into motion by the electric field surrounding the wafer, and this motion creates an electrical current.
You now have solar panels working efficiently to transform sunlight into electricity, but the electricity generated is called direct current (or DC) electricity, which is not the type of electricity that powers most homes, which is alternating current (or AC) electricity. Fortunately, DC electricity can easily be changed into AC electricity by a gadget called an inverter. In modern solar systems, these inverters can be configured as one inverter for the entire system or as individual microinverters attached behind the panels.
Once the solar energy has been converted from DC to AC electricity, it runs through your electrical panel and is distributed within the home to power your appliances. It works exactly the same way as the electrical power generated through the grid by your electric utility company, so nothing within the home needs to change. Since you still remain connected to your traditional power company, you can automatically draw additional electricity to supplement any solar shortages from the grid.
On cloudy days and overnight, your solar shingles or panels may not be able to capture enough sunlight to use for energy; conversely, in the middle of the day when nobody is home, they may collect surplus energy-more than you need to operate your home. That's why a meter is used to measure the electricity flowing in both directions-to and from your home. Your utility company will often provide credits for any surplus power you send back to the grid. This is known as net metering.