Residential Solar Power Makes Perfect Sense – Or Does It?
Residential and commercial solar power is popping up everywhere you look, and many of the stories about its rise in popularity tend to focus on evolving tech. With drastic improvements in cost and efficiency of power generation and storage capabilities on the rise month after month, it can be hard to keep up with the rising star of renewable energy that is solar power.
These days, it seems that the trend is fueled as much by a desire to adopt new green technologies as it is to save money on one’s monthly power bill. To sweeten the pot, some states even offer tax incentives that make solar power installation all the more desirable. Even in states that offer zero incentives, homeowners can reap great returns in as few as 12 years.
So given solar’s rapid evolution, how can you know when it’s the right time to make the switch to residential solar panels for your home’s energy? Read on to find out.
Should I Wait for Solar Technology to Improve?
Let’s cut right to the chase, and avoid burying the lead. In a nutshell, absolutely not! Solar panels are extremely efficient these days, and will likely continue to lower your power bill for decades to come. While solar technology will continue to improve, the same can be said for any technology.
So think about it – did future improvements of yesteryear stop you from purchasing a car or a computer that same year? Of course not. You knew what you needed, and you made the leap, weighing the benefits against the cost. Well similarly, the money you save on your power bill today can be spent on the next generation’s power-producing tech – whether that’s future solar power, or something we haven’t even imagined yet.
Because solar power is such a great investment, many homeowners have questions about the technology. Here, we break down the basics, including how solar installation can improve home value and even quicken a home’s sale.
How Long Will It Take to Recoup My Investment in Solar Panel Installation?
The answer to this question relies on many factors. For example, your state’s tax incentives may help offset an initial investment in residential solar power. Once that cost is determined, your panels are likely to pay for themselves in as few as five years in the case of Massachusetts or 12 years for neighboring Maine, where there are currently no tax incentives.
Will Solar Panels Attach to My Metal Roof?
If you have an energy-efficient metal roof, you’re in luck. Not only do you save on your cooling bill by virtue of the metal roofing material, but you also increase your savings with an easily-installed solar array.
The panels easily clamp to standing-seam metal roofs and nobody needs to drill a hole. Metal tile roofs also allow easy, hole-free installation. The only metal roofing type that requires holes is a corrugated metal roof. Even so, installers will ensure that the holes are sealed to avoid any leakage.
What If My House Isn’t Positioned for Solar Installation?
The ideal orientation for residential solar panels is 196 degrees on the compass – due south. However, if your roof is facing due east or west, your solar panels will still perform. East or west-facing panels are still approximately 77% efficient compared to southerly facing solar installation.
Does Solar Increase the Value of My Home?
Indeed it can. Some studies have shown that solar panels increase home value. While it’s impossible to say how much value your home will accrue with a solar array, imagine how much quicker your home will sell versus a comparable home that has neglected such efficiency.
Residential Solar Panels Are an Efficient, Smart Decision for Most Homeowners
Now that solar cell technology has matured, it makes more sense than ever to install panels on your roof. They are effective in every climate, even if your roof has an east-west orientation. There are panels that are better suited to cloudy days, suiting homeowners in the gloomy Pacific Northwest, for instance.
As an investment, they make great sense, too. It’s been shown that homes can gain value as a result of their solar array. In many cases, homes spend fewer days on the market when they offer the new owner long-term savings on their power bill via solar panels on the roof.