How To Know If You Should Go Solar This Summer

Summer is just around the corner, and if you're anything like us, that means you're looking forward to warmer weather, backyard BBQs and plenty of bright, sunny days. And with all this sunshine on the horizon, you might be considering whether switching to solar power would be a worthwhile endeavor for you.

Did an energy-efficient light bulb just go off in your head? Going green is definitely something to consider! That's why we're breaking down the facts to help you decide if you should make the switch to solar energy this summer.

Will You Make Green By Going Green?

We all know that using natural, sustainable energy (as opposed to relying on fossil fuels) is good for the planet, but it can also benefit your bank account. We know what you're thinking, though: Doesn't it cost a fortune right off the bat to install solar panels? Well, actually, not at all — you can get set up and start going green for $0 down.

Horizon Solar Power offers a solar leasing agreement called a PPA (power purchase agreement) which lets you pay only for the energy produced by solar panels — not the equipment itself. Once your free setup is in place, you'll notice an immediate decrease in your electric bills. The higher energy costs are in your area, the more savings you'll see.

Once you see how much your bills are decreasing, you might decide that buying Horizon Power's solar equipment outright would be a smart long-term investment. This shouldn't pose any problem, as common terms of a solar PPA allow you to buy the panels at any point during your agreement term at the price defined in your contract or at the system's fair market value.

If you do decide to purchase a solar panel system before the end of 2019, you'll qualify for a federal tax credit equal to 30 percent of your system's cost minus any cash rebates. Certain states also provide additional credits or rebates for going solar.

How Much Will You Really Save in the Long term?

The savings that come from going solar depend on a number of factors, like the size of your house, the positioning of your panels and how much direct sunlight they receive, how much energy you use and the cost of electricity in your area. According to Mental Floss, the average customer savings over the course of 20 years is a whopping $20,000.

Going solar also allows you to better predict what your monthly bills will be. With most PPAs, you'll be locked in at a set price for somewhere between 10 and 25 years — so you won't have to worry about being hit with unexpected price hikes. Also, with solar power, you don't ever have to worry about inflating costs the way you do with old-school fossil fuels.

And that's not all, folks — going solar can increase the property value of your home even if you don't outright own the equipment. Under most common terms of a PPA, you have the ability to transfer the existing system to a buyer under your same agreement when you sell the home. For potential buyers, this is a big incentive, because it means if they purchase your home, they would also benefit from lower energy bills from the get-go.

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But What Happens in the Winter?

Solar panels are powered by light, not heat, so unless you live somewhere with an extreme winter climate, your panels will continue to produce energy throughout the year. Your panels likely won't work as efficiently as they do during those scorching summer months; at the same time, your energy consumption may be less during cooler times of the year because you won't be utilizing high-powered air conditioning systems to regulate your home's temperature.

Plus, as green energy becomes more widely used around the world, the technology continues to improve. Researchers are also constantly working on improved ways to utilized solar energy year-round — including developing techniques to store solar thermal energy from the summer to be used in later months.

Wondering Where To Start?

Horizon Solar Power, southern California’s local leader in solar power energy, offers no cost for panels and free installation, on top of free quotes for prospective customers.

See How Much You Can Save With Horizon Solar Power

First Photo Credit: Dominic Alves via flickr