For the past few years, solar energy has been gaining popularity in homes around the world, as its benefits become more and more clear. Solar energy systems don’t just provide clean energy; they also reduce your monthly electricity bill and cut your carbon footprint. And if you ever decide to sell your home, having a solar system can be an attractive selling point to potential buyers. So if you’re thinking about making the switch to solar energy, these are some of the reasons why you should do it now.
1) Lower energy bills
Solar power is among one of the most cost-effective renewable energy sources available. Regardless of whether you live in sunny, cloudy, or rainy areas, you can always generate some form of electricity. There are many economic incentives, too. For example, California offers a 30% state tax credit for photovoltaic systems placed on homes and businesses before January 1st of 2016. Check with your local government for similar rebates and credits. Solar power plant installed in home and domestic purpose use. Restaurant, small offices even casinos like mycasinoadviser prefer to use solar energy.
2) Longer life of appliances
Traditional electricity sources can kill appliances more quickly than a more controlled source of power. The heat generated by traditional electrical wiring can shorten appliance life spans, sometimes forcing people to replace things prematurely. Solar power doesn’t generate excess heat, so there’s no danger of damaging or killing your appliances.
3) Enjoy tax incentives
The government has many incentives for people who use renewable energy. The national solar tax credit is 30% of qualified expenditures and expires at end of 2016. However, there are plenty of state and local incentives that vary by location. Check out DSIRE for a state-by-state list. Even if you don’t receive a financial incentive, it’s still beneficial for society—and for you as well, since you won’t be contributing to air pollution or climate change as much.
4) Enjoy federal credits
For almost 50 years, you’ve been eligible for federal tax credits if you install a solar electric system—but only if you actually use it to power part of your home. If that’s not an option (e.g., if you live in a condo building), look into local incentives, rebates, and property-tax exemptions instead.
5) Avoid utility outages
When a big storm hits, it’s great for disaster movies, but not so great for you. When Mother Nature decides to rain on your parade, utility outages can be extremely frustrating and dangerous. If you have a backup system like real money slots or a battery pack like Tesla Powerwall available in case of emergencies, you can get through any problem and avoid losing access to water and electricity.
6) Save money on new windows, lights and appliances
New windows, lights and appliances can be very expensive. However, by installing a PV system you can potentially save thousands of dollars on large items like these. Just make sure that you have a backup plan for when it isn’t sunny for days on end!
7) Stay cool without air conditioning during summer months
During hot summers, air conditioning is a must. And because central air costs on average $2,200 per year, it’s no surprise that more than half of American households choose to use it. Unfortunately, using air conditioning when you don’t need it isn’t good for your wallet or our planet. Here are five ways you can stay cool without A/C.
8) Help protect our environment
Using fossil fuels for energy releases CO2 into our atmosphere and produces pollution, harming not only humans but also animals and plant life. If you’re concerned about climate change or want to make a positive impact on our planet, consider using solar panels instead of burning fossil fuels.
9) Reduce your carbon footprint
One of these days, global warming will seem like a distant memory, and we’ll all look back on our obsession with fossil fuels as a blip in history. If you have any kind of influence or control over your household’s energy consumption—whether it’s directly through turning off lights and unplugging appliances or indirectly through requesting more fuel-efficient vehicles from car dealerships—it makes sense to do everything you can now to reduce your carbon footprint.
10) Energy efficient homes sell faster than homes without solar panels
According to a recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, homes that use solar energy systems sell faster than non-solar homes, with an average speed bump of almost $8,000. Of course, it’s hard to say if buyers are making purchase decisions based on aesthetics or more financially sound motives. Either way, integrating solar panels into a new or existing home is one easy way for prospective owners and potential buyers alike can reduce their carbon footprint as well as potentially save money.