Environmental benefits of solar

Record high temperatures are dominating the weather news this summer. Global warming’s effects are being felt all over the globe. Action must be taken in order to stop this alarming trend. Solar panels are a great way to offset energy costs, reduce the environmental impact of your home and provide a host of other benefits, such as supporting local businesses and contributing to energy independence.

Reduce or eliminate energy bills

Some people assume that cloudy locations are inappropriate for solar panels. Even if you live somewhere cloudy, such locations typically receive more than two hours of sunlight per day, while sunny locations receive an average of 5.5 hours of sunlight per day. Although sunny days will produce more solar energy, solar panels will continue to draw energy even when the weather is cloudy. Indirect, or diffused, sunlight will still help to power your home. Generally speaking, cloudy days usually produce around 10 to 20 percent of the power generated on sunny days.

Earn solar tax credits and rebates

Most people don’t realize the savings available due to tax credits and rebates. Initially, you will get 30 percent of total system costs back from equipment and installation as a federal income tax credit when you file your taxes. For example, this means you would save $7,500 on a solar system worth $25,000. Combine this with state and local rebates and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), and total costs can be cut in half. The SRECs are generated throughout the year, and you can sell them to utility companies, which generates a very impressive return on the initial investment.

Start saving from day one

Annual energy costs can be in the thousands. In fact, the average annual energy expenditure per person is $3,052, including transportation and residential energy. Solar power can reduce or eliminate these costs as soon as they are installed. They also offer long-term savings, because it’s basically free to capture the power of the sun. Solar panels significantly improve your resale value. Most home buyers understand what a home with solar panels means—especially because the system is already in place and they didn’t have to make the initial investment and installation. According to research, most homeowners see a $5,911 resale value increase per installed kilowatt. That means if you install a 3.1-kilowatt system, you could improve your home’s resale value by nearly $18,000.
Solar panels also extend the life of a roof, because they protect from the elements, such as rain, snow, and debris. They make the house more energy-efficient in the summer because the hot sun is not beating down on the roof directly—it is instead being absorbed by the panels, keeping the house temperature lower.

Now is the time to join the solar revolution!

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years. 

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles