You know that solar power is a way to fight global climate by reducing the dependence on limited and expensive fossil fuels, that it can save you money on your electricity bill and that those savings can last for more than two decades.

But that’s just some of the many advantages of a home solar energy system. There are a lot more interesting facts about this renewable power that you may or may not know.

Here are a few more nuggets of information regarding solar energy.

Solar power is affordable

Used to be installing and paying for a home solar energy system was simply out of reach for the average homeowner. But advances in technology and manufacturing have slashed those costs by more than 70% in the last decade. The average cost for a domestic solar power installation is now between $11,000 - $14,000, meaning most people can pay it out of pocket or with a credit card.

If you want to know how much it will cost to cover your energy needs, you can easily find out with the Hahasmart price checker. Just provide your address and your average monthly utility bill and you’ll get the actual price of solar panels and inverters - which are the most critical parts of a solar powered system - as well as provide you with an estimated cost of installation based on thousands of completed solar projects in your area. 

They’ll even provide you with an estimated buyback period, the point where the electricity savings achieved with your solar array cover the purchase of your residential solar panels and your system becomes free.

In addition, they’ll connect you with their installer network to get your residence equipped with solar power as possible.  

More energy is being produced than consumed

Last year, California - one of the leading states in solar energy installations - generated 19% of its power from the sun, but much of it went unused. Thanks to net metering, much of that electricity was exchanged for credits from the utility companies, reducing even more the cost of a home solar power system.

In fact, much of the sun’s energy hitting the Earth goes unused. Over 170 petawatts, or over 170 thousand billion watts, of energy from the sun is hitting the Earth’s atmosphere at any given moment. Land Art Generator Initiative is a group that uses art to promote clean energy. In 2009, they calculated that we’d only only have to cover an area a bit bigger than California with solar panels to power the entire world with solar energy.

Solar won't run out

The sun is supposed to keep shining light on Earth for the next 5 billion years. And as long as the sun is out, even on cloudy days, you’ll generate electricity. By 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that solar will be the largest source of electricity, supplying close to 30% of total (it is currently 1%).  

And yes, panels can generate power even in cloudy weather because they need light, not heat and the light doesn’t have to be direct. 

A long savings period

The median payback period for a domestic solar power system is between 6-8 years (depending on the climate conditions, the capacity of the array and rate of electricity), but the overall lifespan of solar panels is 25 plus years. So after the point where you pay off the solar installation through electricity savings, you will continue enjoying the benefits of this renewable energy source for two decades.

All of this while representing very little cost in maintenance and being extremely reliable. Warranties for solar panels last 25 years. About the only thing you can expect to change over the course of this time is the inverter; string inverters have warranties of between 10-15 years, but if you opt for a microinverter that attaches to each individual solar panels, their warranties last also for 25 years.

Fighters of pollution

Within 30 years solar-powered homes can reduce carbon dioxide emission by 100 tons. Solar is the cleanest source of energy, as it does not produce any pollutants, noise or radiation while the panels are converting sunlight into electricity.

A good value for your property

A recent U.S. study comparing sales of 22,000 homes in 8 states, found that the homes with solar panels sold approximately 20% faster than homes without solar systems. And properties with a home solar energy system sold for an average $9,000 more than those without it.

Creator of jobs

According to The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census of 2018, the United States now has 242,343 solar workers (56% of whom work in residential installations). Overall, the solar workforce has grown 159% since the first Census was released in 2010. States with the highest solar employment gains in 2018 include Florida, Illinois, Texas, and New York. 

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