All the Pros and Cons of Solar Power

If you’re a homeowner, the chances are that you’ve been coming across a fair amount of information from salespeople and advertising about solar power and how it can be used in the home. To make the right decision for your property, however, you need an unbiased, up-to-date view on what solar power and solar energy are all about and whether or not it will work for your home. Here’s a guide to help you make this important decision.

The Pros of Investing in Solar Energy for Your Home

• Reduction or even elimination of your home’s electric bills: The ability to generate electricity for your own use is one of the most attractive and impressive results of going solar. Depending on your electrical usage and the solar array you invest in, homeowners can significantly supplement their electricity supply or even eliminate their reliance on utility companies completely.

• Investment with a long lifespan: Solar panel systems are built for durability, so you can expect a lifespan of around 25-30 years, which is considerable. This means that although there is obviously an initial investment and maintenance fees, your electricity savings will add up considerably over the long-term for decades to come.

• It’s becoming more affordable: In recent years as solar power has become a more popular option and the technology has become more consumer-friendly, the cost of solar panel systems has become more affordable – decreasing by more than 70% in the last decade. Many cities and local governments are also pushing sustainable technologies, so homeowners can apply for rebates, financing and reward programs designed to help make these energy-efficient technologies more accessible.

• Gives greater control over rising energy costs: Energy costs are one of the largest regular expenses for homeowners, with the US Department of Energy statistics showing an average cost of $2,060 per household per year. The size of your home, the hot Texas sun and local utility costs can all push that number much higher – and increases in prices by utility companies are not in your control either. By switching to solar, homeowners can remove this stress and expense by making electricity use autonomous and completely free from utility companies.

• It increases the value of your home: Solar power is a very desirable asset in a home for many property buyers who are looking to get the advantages of reduced utility bills but don’t want to or know how to install the system in their own home. This means that solar panels are becoming a great way to boost the value of your property for resale, whether you are planning to move in the near future or the next 10 years. This makes earning back your initial investment much easier.

• It reduces your carbon emissions and helps America become more energy independent: There are few technologies as green and environmentally-friendly as solar power, which not only helps you live a more sustainable and earth-friendly life – it also contributes towards moving the US away from its dependence on fossil fuels that are controlled by foreign producers. This cost-effective, easy way of reducing carbon emissions therefore comes with patriotic bragging rights too!

The Cons of Solar Energy for Your Home

So, we’ve looked at the advantages of this technology and they’re pretty impressive – but what are the disadvantages?

• You need the right type of roof: While new technology is coming on the market every year, the most popular way to install a solar energy system for a home is by mounting panels on a roof with a rack system. Certain roofing materials like slate or cedar may make this difficult to do, while skylights, rooftop additions and roofs with many angles may reduce the amount of panels you can install or make the installation more costly.
• You need to use enough electricity: The main advantage of solar panels is reducing the cost of electricity for your home, which is very difficult to achieve if your electricity expenses are very low in the first place. To justify an expensive investment like solar panels, you need to weigh up certain factors including how much electricity you use, how much you would be able to generate from the panels and how much this electricity costs you from the utility company. The more you use and the more expensive it is, the more you’ll save from your investment and the more sense it makes to go solar.
• There is still an initial cost of investment: Solar systems for homes are still costly to install and even if this initial cost is small considering long term savings, it can be difficult or intimidating for homeowners to make this initial financial commitment. It’s important to put in the time and research to evaluate different contractors, financing options, rebates and your potential long-term savings to see how long it will take to get a good return from your investment and to help you make the right decision. Some homeowners may qualify for zero-interest financing plans for solar systems that can make accessing this technology much easier and more rewarding.

Make the Texas Sun Work for Your Home and Family

If you decide that solar energy is the right choice for your home, you’re certainly living in the right state to get all the benefits! Enjoy researching this fascinating way to take your home off the grid, save money and make the Texas summer more comfortable with sun-powered air conditioning!