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5 Reasons to Use Solar Energy

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Global electricity consumption has increased dramatically over the last century and is expected to continue to rise by ~79% by 2050. All of this electricity consumption adds to the carbon footprint, which ultimately influences climate change and many other environmental issues that persist today, such as ocean acidification.

However, with the growing awareness about climate change and the issues, it is creating, many individuals, businesses, and even Governments are looking towards alternative energy sources as a way to curb fossil fuel consumption and ultimately reduce the carbon footprint. Though not perfect, solar energy is one of the most promising ways to achieve this for business and residential consumers.

Here are 5 reasons why solar energy is great for your business:

1. No pollution:

Solar energy does not produce any pollution during its production process, thereby preventing the environmental damage that electricity generation and consumption causes. One of the key benefits of solar energy generation is that it leaves no carbon footprint. No greenhouse gases are produced or emitted during the process.

2. Renewable:

With almighty sun, solar energy is simply limitless and permanent, as it is a renewable energy source. Solar energy is harvested by photovoltaic or solar cells that convert sunlight directly to electricity. These cells are placed inside sunlight fielding structures that direct the sunlight to the cells and drive a current through it. Generated current from the solar cells is then connected to an inverter, which transforms DC power to AC power for distribution or storage. This is exactly how a solar system works and what makes it so powerful and versatile.

3. Freedom and Control Over Electricity:

We, as consumers, are constrained by the electricity generated by the utility companies that deliver our daily electricity needs. Imagine if you had the freedom to generate your own electricity? Batteries and solar photovoltaics offer you this freedom. Adding more solar panels to a system can increase the amount of electricity generated, while smart batteries and other management systems also enable you to store extra electricity for later use or even sell generated electricity back to the utility companies.

4. Energy Security:

Another great reason to use solar energy is that it is not linked by cable infrastructure that is vulnerable to outages, damages, and theft. Solar energy will not be affected by power cuts and blackouts and will generate electricity at all times of the day, as long as it is sunny.

5. Financial Benefits:

As a homeowner, business, or as an investor, installing a solar system is a financially rewarding decision. Whether you are looking to avoid paying high utility bills or looking to generate income from a solar system, the financial benefits of solar are undeniable. Electricity generated from a solar system is actually free after the cost of the initial installation since you can sell the excess electricity to the utility companies often at a reasonably good price. This adds a source of income to your household, office, and can even drive a profitable venture if you have a large property to cover.

Verdict:

Solar energy is an exciting and quickly growing renewable energy source, with great potential for use in many sectors. The key benefits are obvious, and in many ways, outweigh the disadvantages of using solar energy for non-critical power generation. Hopefully, as technology evolves, the cost of solar panels will also decrease and make it a more attractive choice to rely on solar energy for a greater percentage of our electricity consumption.

Make Your Home Solar Powered

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Solar PanelsHomeowners across America are turning to solar panels to help power their homes. If you’re unsure whether you want your house to go solar, here are a few benefits of making the jump.

Price is Right
Right now, solar panels and solar technology are being produced cheaper than ever before. This means purchasing it for your home won’t cost too much. Therefore, where you thought you would have to potentially take out a loan from small-cash.com from here to convert your home, you might have enough money to get it done without the help of a loan.

Tax Breaks
There is plenty of tax breaks and incentives for installing solar power on to your home. So not only will you save yourself money when you purchase the system, but you may also get more money back during tax season as well. Many of these breaks and incentives are first come first serve, however, so get your taxes done as soon as possible.

Energy Price
With solar panels, you will find out how much energy you use and how much you will have to pay for it. This will make it easier to balance your finances and adjust accordingly if by some chance money gets short.

Increased Property Value
Whenever you add something to your home it raises the property value and solar panels are no different. This can be helpful if you are planning on selling your home down the road.

Local Economy Support
When you get your solar panels installed, you more than likely will be hiring a local company to handle the installation. By doing this, you help support your local economy and give the company free promotion by having their product on your house.

Energy Reliability
If you were to install solar panels, you would no longer be at the mercy of rolling blackouts and power outages. Your home would keep running like normal, allowing you to go about your day.

With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why you should install solar panels on to your home. When you’re ready to, let the experts at GR Solar Solutions take care of it. We’ve been designing and installing solar electric systems in Texas and New Mexico for over 30 years and will have your home running solar energy in no time. For more information, call us today at 915-581-0461!

 

 

Do Solar Panels Increase the Resale Value of Your Home?

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With renewable energy becoming more and more popular these days, people want to know if adding solar panels to their home will benefit them. To that, we say, yes, installing solar panels will benefit your home, while you’re living in it and if you ever put your home on the market.

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, solar panels could add $15,000 to the value of your home – if you own the panels. However, if you’re just leasing solar panels, they could end up taking value away from your home, according to a Bloomberg report.

Obviously, the price of installing solar panels is what scares many people. Sure, you’re going to save money on a monthly basis by powering your home with solar energy, but you have to be smart about how you finance the system if you can’t afford paying for it upfront.

While leasing may seem like the right option for you, if you’re planning on moving from your home before the agreement is up, you’ll have to consider that this could affect your asking price, as the new homeowners could be inheriting something they could actually lease themselves for less. Alternatively, if you purchase the system (which can be subsidized by loan programs), you add value to your home through an asset that’s only going to increase in demand in the coming years.

So, if you’re still asking, do solar panels increase the resale value of your home? Yes, they can, but it’s not as definitive of an answer as we would like it to be. The main thing is to weigh all of your options and make sure you’re comfortable with your investment. After all, investing in solar panels is not only an investment in your home, but also your future!

Top Reasons to Consider Going Solar

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Solar energy is becoming more and more popular with homeowners these days. As the threat of global warming gets more real, many homeowners are making the investment in solar energy systems and reaping the benefits that those systems provide. The reasons for this are quite simple:

Decreased Electric Bills
Solar energy is sustainable and renewable, which is great news considering that you will likely see a huge reduction in your electric bill. Lower electric bills mean more money for your savings account, for your retirement, for a vacation, for your child’s college fund, to repaint your home – whatever you’d like.

Environmentally Responsible
We humans are the stewards of this planet and as such, we are responsible for protecting it. Science has proven that global warming is very real, and more and more people are going “green” to try to help the Earth. It doesn’t hurt to be able to say that you are among those trying to save our planet.

A Good Investment
Adding a solar energy system to your home is wonderful for your home’s equity and resale value. It adds to your investment portfolio as well, which means you are also investing in your future. That just makes good sense.

You Are Among the Energy Independent
By not using oil and gas to power your home, you are helping our government decrease its dependency on foreign oil, and become independent. The more independent we are as a nation, the more money we can invest in ourselves, and taxes will be lower.

Going solar is an investment in your family’s future, as well as in the planet that is our responsibility. It protects ecosystems, which in turn protects our wildlife, and our water supplies. It is the best way to show that you care about what happens here, as well as being very advantageous for your own pocket book. Solar energy systems pay for themselves almost immediately, and add to your home’s equity. Going solar is no longer a fad. It is essential to the health of the Earth.

Solar Power Is Gaining Traction Around the Globe

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Solar energy has been a growing market within the U.S. for some time now. In fact, according to SEIA’s U.S. Solar Market Insight for Q1 2015 (released in June), residential installations grew 76% compared to Q1 2014. Additionally, non-residential and utility solar PV installations continue to grow.  Recognizing the need for alternative energies, the United States is well on its way to becoming more energy efficient and the trend is a growing global trend.

China, for example, is now considered to not only be the manufacturing hub for solar photo voltaic panels, but also the fastest growing market for energy over the next five years, according to a Nasdaq article.

As the world’s largest consumer of coal, China is also the world’s largest emitter of carbon. This concentrated effort to become more energy efficient and to consciously reduce of the amount of greenhouse gas emitted as a country is huge. And the amount of investment into renewable energies is also huge. China’s renewable energy market is valued at $89.5 billion, making it the largest in the world.

In their effort to reduce their carbon emissions, China will soon begin construction on — yep you guessed it — the world’s largest solar power plant. Spread across 10 square miles in the Gobi desert, the solar plant will have the capacity to power nearly one million households.

When the solar power plant is commissioned, it will help decreases coal consumption by about 4.26 million tons per year. It will also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions by 896,000 tons and 8,080 tons, respectively.

If you’d like to read the full article, you can do so here.

Why Solar Panels Are A Great Investment

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If you’re at all interested in the environment — or, more precisely, electricity — you may be surprised to learn that an investment in Solar panels is now widely seen as a great investment, not a waste of money. In the latest report published by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions the rise of renewable energy that has been happening over the past 20 years:

The market size of renewable energy is growing just as fast as coal — up from virtually nothing to 24% of the global electricity market in 2016. Though the majority of generated electricity came from hydropower, by 2050, wind and solar energy could well overtake coal as the leading source of electricity accounting for approximately 50% of world electricity.

And although environmental concerns can be cited as a driving force behind this massive spatial shift towards renewable energy, what truly constitutes the underlying impetus is the aggressive reductions in the cost for solar panels made possible by the recent advancement of technology and conducive policies.

3 Reasons Why Solar Panels Are A Great Investment

1. Price Drop & Improved ROI

As of June 17, the price of solar panels had dropped by 62% (average annual decrease) [1]. That means that homeowners and businesses can install these low-cost panels and generate more electricity at lower costs than ever.

According to SunWorks (a leading provider of social solutions operating in the United States), a typical 5 kW solar installation can easily yield up to 20% return on investment in the first year [2]. That’s another reason to buy solar panels and its good news for those individuals who fear bulk upfront cost.

The new economics of solar also means the cost of electricity is on an even playing field with conventional fossil fuels. And always remember, there isn’t any such thing as a free lunch. In other words, there isn’t any such thing as free energy.

But in addition to making good investment sense, solar panels are also a very good idea for the environment and climate change.

2. Solar Panels Make Greenhouse Gas Emissions Go Down

First of all, let’s be clear about how much electricity we can get from solar. Even at the earlier price levels, the return on solar power is high enough to offset about three-quarters of the energy produced by coal, the most common type of fossil fuel. Because the cost of solar panels is plummeting, the return on solar power is rising rapidly.

But what’s more, the decline in the cost of solar panels is contributing to the decline in the cost of electricity. As wind turbines and other similar technologies become cheaper as well, the overall cost of electricity will come down.

3. Support from Government

The federal government has pushed more aggressive solar policy, but it has also encouraged the development of renewable energy by funding giant research projects, encouraging the use of solar energy in federal buildings, and auctioning off clean energy permits to all comers.

In fact, on February 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it would provide $125.5 million in fresh funding to support and advance research on improving the efficiency of solar panels.

Also, this year 2020, you can get a 26% FTC (Federal Tax Credit) on your solar panel investment. This means that for every thousand dollars spent ($1000), you will receive a tax credit of $260 back.

Verdict

The long-term benefits of investing in solar panels are not only “personal” monetary savings, but also include technological advances, carbon emission reductions, job creation and taxes. And if all this isn’t enough to make solar panels attractive, consider that soon, you’ll no longer have to depend on your electricity provider for most of your power needs.

The benefits for the environment, the economy, and a greener planet for our future generation, for the first time in recorded history, will be realized, when renewable energy becomes the norm. And by investing in solar panels, you can be a part of it.

References

  1. https://www.sunrun.com/solar-lease/cost-of-solar
  2. https://sunworksusa.com/resources/calculating-roi/

Benefits Of Having Solar Panels On Your Home

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By now, most people have a pretty good idea of the tremendous benefits of having a solar panel system installed on your home. Despite this, many people still hold off on upgrading their home due to common misconceptions.

In this article, we’ll discuss the powerful benefits that solar panels can provide to your home and how it can improve your quality of life.

Save money on your monthly electric bills

It seems that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t do enough to lower your monthly electric bill. You swapped out your old electric appliances for energy-efficient ones, you installed a brand new programmable thermostat, and you’re even using LED lights around the house and still, the monthly bills are painful.

The fact is, utility companies are known for increasing their prices over time, not decreasing them. However, installing solar panels in your home will finally let you cut down your monthly energy costs, and in some cases even eliminate them.

Now you can use those savings for other essential expenses that you would have otherwise not been able to do.

Requires very little maintenance

A common misconception is that solar panels require lots of hands-on maintenance which is time-consuming and expensive. However, solar panels are actually built tough and are likely to last several years without requiring any maintenance other than washing off the dirt that has accumulated over time.

A big part of the reason why solar panels do not require much maintenance is that they do not require any outside supply, like fuel, in order to work. This is also the reason why solar panels do not produce CO2 emissions or other gases.

In terms of ease-of-use and efficiency, solar panels are one of the best and safest investments you can make.

Increases the value of your home

Installing solar panels on your home will typically increase your property’s market value. The fact is that most people would rather pay the premium for a home with solar panels already installed than installing it themselves.

When you consider the long-term savings and peace of mind that your solar panels will provide, the benefits will far outweigh the premium pricing.

Reliable energy source

Traditional, non-renewable energy sources are limited and utility companies tend to increase their prices over time. When you generate your own clean and renewable solar energy, you are no longer dependent on your local utility company and subject to their high fees and occasional power outages.

Your solar panels will work even on cloudy, rainy days and will have no negative impact on the environment. You can rest easy every night knowing that your energy source will not be interrupted and much less depleted.

Get tax credits and rebates

The US Government is a big supporter of solar energy for both homes and businesses. The Federal Solar Tax Credit in 2020 allows customers to get 26% of the total cost to install a solar panel in your home or business as a federal income tax credit when you file your taxes.

In addition, state and local rebates and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), which you can sell to local utility companies, can also help to cut down your costs.

Get in touch with your local Albuquerque solar panel services providers for quick installation, guaranteed performance, and the best professional service when you need it.

Solar Panels And The Federal Tax Credit For 2020

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There are many reasons why installing a solar panel for your home and/or your business may be one of the smartest investments you can make these days. Solar energy is clean and renewable and it also helps you save money on your electric bills.

Despite the financial and environmental benefits that solar panels provide, many people still point to the costs of installing these systems as their biggest hurdle.

However, the price of solar has declined by more than over 70% since 2006 and will drop further the more people install them. In addition, industry insiders estimate that every time the production of panels doubles, solar prices can potentially fall as far as 20%. For information on solar panels in Albuquerque, visit our Solar Solutions Albuquerque page here https://www.solarsolutions-texas.com/solar-panels-albuquerque/.

Solar Energy is going mainstream

It’s becoming increasingly evident that the price of solar will come close to, and in some cases, will even match the price of traditional energy in many US states. The US Government is certainly doing their part in helping solar become mainstream for both homes and businesses.

The Federal Solar Tax Incentive for 2020, also known as the investment tax credit (ITC), allows both home and business owners to deduct up to 26% of the cost to install a solar energy system from their federal taxes.

We’ll take a look at some of the details regarding this bill so you can take advantage of the credit before the rate is lowered next year.

What is the Federal Solar Tax Credit for 2020?

In 2020 you can get a tax credit of 26% which can mean thousands of dollars in savings when you switch to solar. For example, if your residential solar panel costs $15,000 to install, you’re eligible to claim a credit on your 2020 tax return of $3,900.

It’s important to note, however, that the federal ITC rate is set to be lowered in 2021 to 22% and will eventually be eliminated by 2022. In other words, there’s no better time than now to give your home or business an upgrade with a solar energy system.

The federal ITC of 26% applies to both homes and businesses and currently has no cap on its value. Here are some additional details for how this credit affects both homes and businesses.

What kind of expenses are covered under the ITC?

The process of installing a solar panel for your home or business may seem overwhelmingly difficult and technical. However, that’s why you should also hire a team of solar panel installation professionals who can ensure that your system runs safely and efficiently, and can provide support and guidance when you need it.

That being said, it is important to know what kind of expenses are eligible to claim for credit on your federal tax return for 2020. Here are some of the most common expenses covered under the ITC:

  • Solar PV panels or cells used to power your ceiling fan.
  • Cost of labor for onsite inspection and preparation, developer fees, assembly and even permitting fees.
  • Balancing of the system equipment including the wiring, inverters, and the actual mounting of the equipment.
  • You can also include the sales taxes on eligible expenses.

Get in touch with your local solar energy professionals, Solar Solutions, today to start enjoying the benefits of solar energy and how you can save money under the federal ITC.

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The Coronavirus Shifts The Demand For Solar And Batteries

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The Shift To “Self-Reliance”

I’ve found out that people are moved by motivation despite any difficult situation they are in. Therefore, having the right experience and understanding of a commodity doesn’t mean that others have the same experience as you do. In this coronavirus pandemic, people are wanting to be prepared in case of a total electric grid crash. We at Solar Solutions take this pandemic very seriously and are here to help in any way we can. Let us help you be prepared!

Hence, in this season of global coronavirus outbreak, the shift of the solar industry has shifted from supply to demand.

“The foreign exchange will be one of the major impacts of prices on solar panels.” Panels, inverters, and other expenses of the components will be affected, and the base price will most likely increase. It will change the bottom-line. “And that is because of the effects of the novel pandemic coronavirus. The solar industries have therefore moved from supply to demand as China’s manufacturers resume business-almost-as-usual, but the local economy is bracing for a big blow.

Everyone wants to either purchase or sell solar commodities, and everyone is looking to either make or save money. Consumers could not ask for a better time to invest in solar panels for their home or office in these uncertain times.

Industry leaders conducted a webinar on the effect of COVID-19 on society in general, and in particular on rooftop solar and battery storage industry this past Thursday morning in a Smart Energy Council. Solar remains one of the “lucky” sectors in the current crisis, being so closely linked to an important utility, and one of the few projects that can confidently claim to deliver substantial cost savings to households and businesses in ever more unpredictable times.

In this webinar, there were many dignitaries present, giving their consent concerning solar for households. They addressed and stressed the fact that battery storage might be a good time to start gaining ground in the residential market, as solar households are looking for ways to make the most of their rooftop electricity, what with everyone working and schooling from home.

Sam Craft, NRG Solar’s operations manager, who is also on the SEC’s board, gave his opinion that the emphasis must be on developing self-reliant family solutions. The storage of batteries plays a crucial role in providing sufficient power to your home. Retailers have registered fewer household inquiries regarding rooftop solar, but an increase in leads on battery storage and blackout security.

“We have (some) saying that their number of (rooftop solar) leads are down, but that the value of those leads is up,” thanks to the addition of battery storage, Craft said.

Such battery storage stabilizes the rooftop solar value in such a way that all you need is to either charge the solar battery or get a new battery while the solar on the rooftop is still working correctly.

Lliam Ricketts

Lliam Ricketts, owner of the Brisbane solar distributor Supply Partners, having studied the recent global happening and the decline in rooftop solar demand, retailers and installers should be calling for a rise in system costs, off the back of the US and Australian dollar drop. However, due to the increase in the tax break on capital purchases by the federal government, commercial solar, and particularly the 100kW-plus segment, may serve as a potential rooftop solar development.

All the retailers need to do is have a genuine dialogue with their clients, enlightening them about the generous support from the federal government. This is a huge benefit to consumers as this year in 2020, the federal government is offering up to a 26% Federal Tax Credit for those who purchase and install solar panels on their property.

John Grimes

John Grimes, the SEC CEO, believes that many solar businesses can survive even under severe economic recession, just as the solar rooftop industry does because some people still make a lot of money from solar sales on the rooftop in every economic recession. Having said that, many consumers will also benefit from the installation of solar panels and battery backup systems as the Federal Government will allow a 26% tax credit to them. Also, the lower in electricity bills is beneficial to the consumer as this allows a significant amount of savings on a yearly basis.

Therefore, even when overseas markets shift nearly minute by minute, the key message was that now is not the time to become complacent – not on OH&S and not on smart business strategy.

Grimes clarified how this Coronavirus has spread rapidly since its initial outbreak in Wuhan, China. Installer companies should, therefore, take the threat of contagion seriously, they must ensure sufficient “social distancing” strategies in place to protect their employees from its contamination while providing services.

Treat elderly customers carefully and let them know that you have clear policies and processes to provide facilities without getting anywhere near them. This is why Solar Solutions is offering all meetings via phone and video conference! Our main goal is to help our consumers not only save money but to keep them safe by practicing Social Distancing.

Many inquiries regarding solar panel and battery backup systems, are still on the uprise as many are looking at “self-reliance”, meaning that people are looking at ways to protect themselves from the worse.

Geoff Bragg

Solar’s managing director and an occasional contributor to One Step Off The Grid, Geoff Bragg, said he had varying industry reports. Compared to other sectors of the economy, solar is well placed although there are people who are still very nervous. We at Solar Solutions are dedicated to making sure that we handle these times with care and professionalism.

There’s no chance that residential demand will go down. So he indicated that solar business workers would think about providing a financing plan for fast product sales so that people can seek self-reliance thinking ahead. Since the company saves people from spending on diesel in an elegant way, they can start marketing. Remember also to uphold the credibility of the company when addressing a crisis.

If you are ready to take advantage of these trying times and want to hear how we can help you, please get in touch with us and one of our professionals will be happy to assist you. Please continue to practice social distancing and be safe.

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Why Installing Solar Panels Can Be Beneficial

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Photovoltaic solar panels are used to convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity generated is not only free of cost, but it’s also clean because it doesn’t produce any of the greenhouse gas emissions that traditional fossil-fuel sources produce.

There are many benefits to be gained by switching to solar energy to power up your home or business. For starters, renewable energy like solar power is a lot cleaner for the environment and the costs have quickly caught up with its non-renewable counterpart: fossil fuels.

Here are just some of the many benefits that solar energy can provide:

  1. Solar energy reduces carbon emissions and protects the environment:
    Solar energy is clean and renewable which means that there are no carbon footprints that are left behind to potentially cause damage to the environment.
  2. Solar energy promotes energy independence:
    It’s a well-known fact that many nations rely on other nations for their oil and fuel sources. Oftentimes, these resources can become bargaining chips which leaves nations having to accept deals that would otherwise be deemed as less than ideal.

While these benefits certainly sound beneficial to you as an individual and the community at large, there are certain benefits that homeowners and business owners benefit in a direct manner.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why installing solar panels can be really beneficial to homes and businesses.

Benefits of installing Solar Panels for your home

  • Helps increase the value of your home:
    A home with photovoltaic solar panels already installed is an incredibly appealing feature that can potentially boost your property value by up to $20,000. Not only does this allow the residents to enjoy the impacts of lower monthly energy bills, but it also allows them to use those savings elsewhere.
  • Federal and state incentives provide additional savings:
    In order to promote the adoption of solar energy systems in residences, utilities and other organizations offer solar tax breaks and monetary incentives for homeowners. Therefore, homes that have solar panels installed are entitled to rebates on the cost of the actual system, which currently for 2020 is 26%.

Benefits of installing Solar Panels for your business

  • You’re now a green business:
    By showing people that your business relies on solar energy instead of dirty fossil-fuel electricity, you are showing that your company is environmentally conscious. People tend to respond to that very well so, in effect, going solar gives you a little marketing boost.In addition to lowering your overall operating costs, switching to solar energy can certainly provide a positive public relations tool that can attract new potential customers and increase sales.
  • Helps mitigate the risk of changing utility rates:
    Starting a business in this competitive business environment takes a lot of preparation, determination, and money just to keep the lights on. These days, cost reductions are the main priority for business owners, let alone chasing profits.However, life is full of unexpected events that can potentially have a damaging impact on your bottom line. When your business makes the switch to solar energy, you are no longer vulnerable to the sudden price increases in electricity rates that traditional electric power companies are known for.

If you would like further information and receive a FREE solar savings estimate for your home or office, contact Solar Solutions.

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