There are many reasons why homeowners go solar.
Improving the environment, cutting energy costs, and the 30% federal tax incentive are the most common. Many people are aware that solar is a geat home efficiency upgrade and are eager to reduce their carbon footprint while in many cases improving their property value.
TOP 7 BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY
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Drastically reduce or even eliminate your electric bills
Whether you are a homeowner, business, or nonprofit, electricity costs can make up a large portion of your monthly expenses. With a solar panel system, you will generate free power for your system’s entire 25+ year life cycle. Even if you do not produce 100 percent of the energy you consume, solar will reduce your utility bills and you will still save a lot of money.
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Earn a great return on your investment
Solar panels are not an expense – they are one of the best ways to invest, with returns rivaling those of more traditional investments like stocks and bonds. Thanks to substantial electricity bill savings, the average American homeowner pays off their solar panel system in seven to ten years and sees an ROI of 20% or more.
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Protect against rising energy costs
One of the most clear cut benefits of solar panels is the ability to hedge utility prices. In the past ten years, residential electricity prices have gone up by an average of three percent annually. By investing in a solar energy system now, you can fix your electricity rate and protect against unpredictable increases in electricity costs. If you are a business or homeowner with fluctuating cash flow, going solar also helps better forecast and manage your expenses.
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Increase your property value
In many cases, multiple studies have found that homes equipped with solar energy systems have higher property values and sell more quickly than non-solar homes. Appraisers are increasingly taking solar installations into consideration as they value homes at the time of a sale, and as home buyers become more educated about solar, demand for properties equipped with solar panel systems will continue to grow.
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Boost united states energy independence
The sun is a near-infinite source of energy and a key component of achieving energy independence in the United States. By increasing our capacity to generate electricity from the sun, we can also insulate our country from price fluctuations in global energy markets.
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Create jobs and help your local economy
According to The Solar Foundation, the solar industry adds jobs many times faster than the overall U.S. economy. This growth is expected to continue. Because solar-related jobs tend to be higher paying and cannot be outsourced, they are a significant contributor to the U.S. economy.
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Protect the environment
Solar is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Buildings are responsible for 38 percent of all carbon emissions in the U.S., and going solar can significantly decrease that number. By going solar, you may be able to eliminate three to four tons of carbon emissions each year—the equivalent of planting over 100 trees annually.