The cost of solar equipment is generally calculated by comparing dollars per watt. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Americans are bracing for expensive energy bills this winter — President Biden has even offered billions of dollars in aid as the economy faces high inflation.
Families can use smart home technologies and lock doors, seal cracks, remove air conditioners, and more. As we look for ways to reduce energy costs through best practices like
In short, solar panels help convert sunlight into electricity.
“Solar technologies convert sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic (PV) panels or mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or stored in batteries or thermal storage,” – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Administration ( EERE) describes.
Sounds good, right? If you want to learn more about solar panels or how to use solar energy, contact an expert for help. Click here to get a free quote from one of the best companies in the space.
What are 3 advantages of going to the sun?
Contents
Before you take the plunge and completely change your habits, you probably want to know more about solar energy and why more families are starting to incorporate it into their lifestyles.
Here are three compelling reasons to go solar today:
The cost of using solar energy has fallen
Save energy costs
Reduce your carbon footprint
The cost of using solar energy has fallen
At one point, cost was the main reason homeowners hesitated to install solar panels. However, times have changed – and prices have been falling for years. EERE says the cost of solar power is falling every year.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar installation costs have fallen by more than 60% in the past decade. Solar power isn’t just popular in sunny states like California or Florida. States across the country have started using solar energy.
The cost of solar equipment is generally calculated by comparing dollars per watt.
“The average residential system has fallen from $40,000 in 2010 to about $20,000 today, with recent utility prices ranging from $16/MWh to $35/MWh, competitive with all other forms of generation.” SEIA explains online. This total cost does not take into account the tax incentives associated with using solar energy.
Price may vary depending on your location and needs. Enter your zip code and get a quote.
Save energy costs
Another major reason to go solar is to save on energy costs. According to the National Association of Energy Assistance Directors, the typical cost to heat a home this winter will increase 18% — to about $1,208, hitting lower-income households harder.
Although you will have to spend money to install and properly install solar panels, you should see a significant difference in your utility bills by going green.
Community solar can lead to bill savings of 5% to 25%, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 2021 report, Sharing the Sun: Community Solar Deployment, Subscription Savings, and Energy Load Reduction.
EnergySage, a Boston-based solar energy company, estimates that most solar users can save between $10,000 and $30,000 over the life of their solar system.
Total savings depend on your location (the amount of sunlight available), the type of solar energy system you use, the amount of electricity you use, the size of your home, whether you bought or leased your system, your local utility, and more. Take a look at your utility bill. Then consider how many watts your household uses to determine potential savings.
Reduce your carbon footprint
Apart from the many benefits that solar energy will provide you financially, it will also benefit the planet.
“Each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy produced will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2, as well as other hazardous pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Solar energy also reduces water consumption and withdrawal,” – US Energy The department provides information online.
MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money
More More