Updated 2/13/24: The home solar industry has evolved in the last few years, and new questions about rooftop solar have emerged. We’ve updated this guide with new questions, expanded answers, and links to our Solar Wiki to give you a richer view of home solar panels.
Do you have questions about installing home solar panels? You aren’t alone. Solar panel installation is complex, with lots of moving parts. From the early stages of design proposals to your panels generating power, you’ll likely ask about home solar’s financial and logistical stages. This guide answers some of the most common questions about home solar panels so you can better understand what to expect from your installation.
Solar FAQs
What are the financial benefits of installing home solar panels?
The main benefit of installing home solar panels is the long-term savings you’ll accrue. With the right home solar panels, you’ll offset the majority — if not all — of your monthly electricity bill usage, driving down your annual energy costs. According to Forbes, it’s possible to save $25,500 – $33,000 over the course of a solar panel system’s lifespan. That number will vary depending on the size of your system, the climate you live in, and a few other factors, but it’s a significant sum. That’s extra padding for your retirement savings account, a dream vacation, or even a new car.
How many homes in the United States use solar power?
As of 2020, 3.7% of single-family homes (approximately 3.2 million) have solar panels installed, but that number has likely increased exponentially in the last few years. Expanded financial incentives have made solar panels a more lucrative investment than ever before.
Solar panels aren’t an “early adopter” technology anymore. Millions of Americans have found freedom in energy independence, and millions more will likely do the same over the next decade. Solar is also increasingly affordable with federal incentives covering up to 30% of total system installation costs via a tax credit.
What are the environmental benefits of solar installation?
Solar energy has many environmental benefits, including contributing to cleaner air, reducing carbon emissions, and aiding conservation efforts. That makes for an all-around greener planet, which helps mitigate the effects of climate change. It’s also a great way for consumers to take power back from utility and oil companies (literally). Given that oil companies spend millions of dollars to block climate change legislation, going solar allows you to help fix the planet while supporting local businesses.
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels typically have a 25 to 30-year lifespan, though that will depend on the quality of the solar panel you install. If your panels fail before then, don’t fret. Solar panel manufacturers usually provide warranties covering panels for around 20 years. The specific length and coverage of a warranty also can vary, so make sure to ask your solar installer what to expect.
Are there discounts for solar panels?
There’s a broad range of financial incentives that you may qualify for when installing home solar panels. The solar investment tax credit is the most notable. It grants homeowners a tax credit for 30% of their total solar panel installation cost, which makes it far more affordable to get solar panels up and running. There are tons of other incentives, too. Far too many to list here. When you schedule a consultation, ask for more details about the local and state solar incentives you may qualify for. Whoever is working with you can tell you what’s available.
The Solar Wiki
These questions and answers should give you baseline knowledge about solar panel incentives. If you want to go deeper, check out the Solar Wiki. We created the Solar Wiki to provide in-depth answers to every question you may have about the solar installation process. It’s a work in progress, but we’re steadily adding more information to it. Click here to go to the Solar Wiki.
If you want to know even more about solar power, call us. At Purelight, we take pride in our expertise about the solar industry, and we want to share our knowledge with you. Contact us today if you’ve been thinking about going solar. Our experts will reach out to you and schedule an appointment, where our consultants will show you how you can benefit from solar.
