Call it solar envy, neighbor rivalry, or simply green energy affinity.

Whatever you call, if it seems like the moment a solar panel installation goes up in your neighborhood, several homeowners in the area also follow suit. Apparently, it’s no mere coincidence.

According to a study in the Journal of Economic Geography economists and geographers have long been interested in the factors governing the patterns of diffusion of new technologies. In other words, what your neighbor does influences your behavior.

And this also applies to solar power systems, the researchers found. 

Yes, it’s true that a growing number of Americans are discovering the benefits of going solar for their electricity needs and people are more concerned than ever with renewable energy and climate change, but sometimes, all the charts and proof doesn’t nudge people into taking meaningful action that would mean putting solar panels on their roof.

Except following their neighbor’s example.

It turns out that viewing the solar modules in action does play a significant role in swaying homeowners into adopting solar power. The investigation found that proximity to an existing residential solar system was one of the biggest indicators of where a new one would arise. 

“The researchers discovered that in Connecticut, between 2005 and 2013, once a rooftop solar panel was installed, the average number of other installations within a half-mile radius grew by 0.44. They concluded that when neighbors and friends witnessed firsthand the positive effects solar power had on the person who installed it, they rushed to follow suit. The authors dubbed the phenomenon the ‘spatial neighbor effect.’"

Apparently, this doesn’t have to do with socioeconomic status. The solar bug spreads equally among those in rural and urban areas, in midsized and smaller towns, with those in wealthier communities and people of more limited income levels.

Solar power is contagious

A University of Texas at Austin study came to a similar conclusion. It found that despite the widespread knowledge about solar systems and with more resources of information to compare price, people are still hesitant to commit to the investment. But personal interactions do away with these doubts.

Once you start hearing about the advantages of installing solar panels on your roof, the savings it brings in electricity costs and the ease and low maintenance equipment, you’re going to want one too. Solar panels are designed to withstand the harsh elements and long-term exposure to extreme weather. As an example of their durability, solar companies offer 25- to 30-year lifetime warranties for panels, so homeowners know they can continue to reap the benefits of this clean, renewable energy source for decades.

Also, you often trust others who have gone through the process of acquiring the panels and can point out the problems and successes they’ve had with the installation. 

In addition, if you’re apprehensive about the pricing of solar panels installation, friends, relatives, and neighbors can share their experiences in how much a home pay for solar setup, financing options and rebates and incentives that you can use to offset some of that investment. 

That’s not to mention net metering. If you know your neighbor is not only saving money on their electric bill after a solar panel system installation, but is also receiving credits and even money for the excess power that system is generating, you’re bound to pay attention. 

And if on top of that, your utility tells you about new higher electricity rates, you will be asking your neighbor for the telephone number of his/her solar installer.  

To find out how much a solar power system for your home will cost, you can access the Hahasmart price checker that provides you with an estimate of equipment and installation costs by simply noting your home address and monthly electricity bill. They’ll even help you contact a reputable solar installer in your area. 

There's also the natural inclination for people to show off their new toys and gadgets at gatherings. These social exchanges provide the final push for others to follow their example.
Seeing is believing

Something else that could bring apprehension to a homeowner trying to decide if he/she should go solar is aesthetics, not knowing what the solar array would look like on their roof or whether it will damage it. 

Coming face to face with a solar panel installation near them, they’ll be able to see and appreciate the layout and how much of their roof space is used. 

Nowadays, there’s also a wide selection of solar panel models: BOB (black with black frames, silver framed, white backing, wired. New solar modules look sleek and modern, unlike their bulky predecessors, giving homeowners a wide variety of choices that mold to their liking and are more attractive for their houses. Fortune Energy offers a wide variety of high-quality solar panels from a number of reputable companies with a long-standing track record of the highest efficiency and outstanding warranties.

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