If you are looking into solar power for your property, you may be wondering about the benefits of solar panels. Installing solar can help offset your utility costs, adding to significant savings over the years. Additionally, you can reduce your reliance on the electrical grid, which can help reduce carbon emissions. Below, you will learn about more solar panel benefits and whether installing solar is worth it for your home or business.
What Is Solar Energy?
Solar panels transform energy from the sun into electricity for your home or business. Solar panels can be installed anywhere sunlight is abundant, though they are most commonly placed on roofs.
Solar panels are made from photovoltaic (PV) cells, which consist of semiconductors that absorb energy from the sun. These cells, alongside other components in the system, transform energy from the sun into electricity you can use to power appliances, heating or cooling and lighting.
6 Benefits of Solar Energy
If you are considering solar power, there are many benefits to installing a solar PV system for your home or business. Some pros of installing solar panels include:
1. Cost Savings
One of the most notable benefits of solar energy is the cost savings a solar PV system can generate for your property. Solar panels can cover a large percentage of your energy needs, reducing how much you pay each month for electricity. Because solar panels typically have a life span between 25 and 30 years, these savings can add up to an impressive sum.
Additionally, many people who switch to solar can benefit from federal and local incentives. One of the most common incentives is the Investment Tax Credit, a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of a new solar system. There may be additional incentives available depending on your state and local area. You can also participate in net metering to sell the excess energy your solar system creates to utility companies, which can help offset your electricity costs.
2. Energy Independence
Installing a solar power system can help you become more energy independent, as you reduce how much energy you rely on from the grid. In some cases, you may be able to become completely independent of the grid, using your solar panels to generate all of the energy you need.
You can also pair your solar panels with a solar battery, which stores any excess energy your solar panels create for later use. Solar batteries allow you to use renewable energy when the sun is not out. Solar batteries can also help you keep your power on if there is an outage due to a storm.
3. Increased Property Value
With sustainability on the rise, more people are looking to purchase properties with solar panel systems. If you plan to sell your home or business property in the future, you may see a higher resale value thanks to your solar energy system. This increased property value can help you recoup even more of your initial investment.
4. Charging Capabilities
If you have an electric vehicle or are considering buying one down the line, a solar PV system can be beneficial. Solar panels can help you charge your electric car, which is more cost-effective than charging through the electrical grid. This option also means you are powering your vehicle with a clean energy source, which can help maximize environmental benefits.
If you own a business, you may have considered installing electric car charging stations to accommodate your customers’ needs. Solar power can also help you with charging and keep your energy costs low, allowing you to allocate the money you save to other parts of your business.
5. Supports the Local Community
Solar panels can have a significant positive impact on your local community, such as:
- Improves human health: Solar is clean energy. Solar panels do not generate any chemical waste or emissions when generating electricity. Installing solar panels is a great way to help improve the health of your community by reducing reliance on fossil fuels that can be harmful to human health.
- Creates jobs: Because solar energy is becoming more popular, more jobs are opening in communities to support the demand. The solar industry is helping create jobs in every state with positions that pay well and cover a wide range of skills and occupations. You can help support your local community and boost jobs in your area by investing in a solar PV system.
- Supports local business: Many solar businesses are locally owned and operated in your area and employ people from your community. Working with these businesses to install solar for your property supports your local economy, which can help your community grow.
6. Environmentally Friendly
One of the main reasons people choose solar is due to the environmental benefits. Solar energy is clean and sustainable energy. Therefore, switching to solar is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact. Solar panels can also work at any scale, whether you use a small system to power your home or a solar farm to power your business.
Discover More About the Benefits of Solar With 8MSolar
If you are considering installing solar, 8MSolar can help. Our technicians have been installing and working on solar PV systems since the early days of the industry. We can help you find a solar system that is right for your home or business, helping you offset your electricity costs and reduce your environmental impact.
We also offer a 25- to 30-year warranty on our solar panels on top of a Lifetime Workmanship & Roof Penetrations warranty to ensure you are covered throughout the life span of your solar PV system. We can help you take advantage of federal and state incentives to help you reduce your costs and find a solar system within your budget. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of solar and how we can install the perfect system for you.