Switching to solar is a great idea, though it might seem overwhelming with all of the info out there. Never fear – it’s pretty easy to break it down to what you need to know first. This should help inform your decision on whether or not to reach out to us about solar energy for your California home.
Let’s start with the pros of solar energy. There are a ton of good reasons to begin using solar energy. Here are just a few to think about…
Top 5 Pros of Solar Energy
1. You Save Money
If you want to eliminate your electric bill, then switching to solar should be on your to do list! The size of your solar energy system and the amount of sun that hits your home will determine the amount of energy generated. If the amount of energy is more than you consume, your utility bill will be nothing. Even if you do not eliminate your electric bill completely, using solar energy will drastically lower the monthly cost.
“But isn’t it costly to install the solar panels?” That’s a great question, and the answer is maybe. For one thing, you can use your tax incentives to recoup the installation costs (see below). And if you don’t have the capital up front to get started, you can get a solar loan or a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) to cover the costs. With our custom solar designs, you’ll still end up paying less – even with the payments for the solar panels – than you were with your old utility.
Best of all, we may be able to install your panels for no charge at all! Reach out to us to see if you qualify.
2. Affordable Maintenance
Once you have your solar system installed, there’s very little that needs to be done in order to maintain it. Solar panels only need to be cleaned once or twice a year. You can do this yourself, or hire a cleaning company for a low service fee. The other good news: there’s little wear and tear because solar panels never need to be moved.
3. You May Qualify for Tax Incentives
Installing solar panels qualifies you for local, state and federal tax breaks. The details change all the time, but overall: homeowners who purchase a solar system can claim a significant percentage of the system cost as a tax credit. And over the course of several years, you should be able to earn back the full cost of your installation.
Through 2019, you can get up to a 30% rebate of the cost of your solar system on your federal taxes. We’ve got the info you need – call us and we’ll be happy to break it down for you!
4. Good for the Environment
Yes, you can indeed help address climate change by switching to solar energy. Solar energy is environmentally friendly, doesn’t harm our ozone layer, or require stripping our landscape for resources. Solar energy reduces our reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as coal. Over the lifetime of your solar system, you’ll save enormous amounts of coal pollution from spilling into our atmosphere.
5. Solar Energy is Abundant
There is no shortage of solar energy! At least, until roughly 5 billion years from now. Until then, there’s no need to worry about a lack of solar energy. Right now the planet gets 173,000 terawatts of sunlight continuously, which is over 10 thousand times the entire world’s energy needs.
“Do my solar panels still work on a rainy day?” Another great question! In short, yes. Click here to read more.
Or, Call Us Right Now: 855-857-2567
Top 4 Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels
Now let’s take a look at another energy source: fossil fuels. Most traditional utility providers use natural gas, petroleum or coal to generate electricity we get from the grid. There are several cons to using fossil fuels, but these are typically the top of everyone’s list…
1. Fossil Fuels are Non-renewable
Fossil fuels are a limited resource. In other words: we’re going to run out eventually. Solar energy is a great way to cut down on the overall usage of fossil fuels, and the more we can depend on solar instead of fossils, the more we expand our energy longevity.
2. Fossil Fuels are Unsustainable
Technically, the earth DOES make more fossil fuels naturally. But it takes a really long time for fossil fuels to naturally replenish themselves – several million years, in fact – and we humans use them up much faster than they could possibly replenish. Again, this means there is only a limited amount of fossil fuel reserves for usage.
So…since the sun provides more energy than we can even harness, why stick with fossil fuels? Obviously, we have relied on them for centuries and global transition is not a simple, easy task. But we’re headed in that direction, and that’s a good thing.
3. Fossil Fuels Pollute the Earth
Fossil fuels accelerate climate change in several ways. Oil spills which pollute our environment and harm wildlife. They create harmful gas emissions when combusted to generate electricity. They create solid waste in some cases, again adding to the pollution of the natural environment.
Since they are a limited resource, there are even wars fought over access to and possession of fossil fuels. But no country can take away the sunlight from another country, making solar – and other natural renewable energy sources – safer, cleaner, and more desirable for all humankind.
4. Unpredictable Utility Rate Increases
You may have been reading the news up and down the state of California about a number of offenses from big utility companies. PG&E is passing costs associated with devastating wildfire liability and subsequent bankruptcy on to their customers. SoCal Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, both owned by Edison, are switching all their customers to a costlier “Time of Use” rate structure. Homeowners all over the state will be paying much more for electricity – unless they switch to solar.
It’s plain to see the benefits of solar vastly outweigh the disadvantages of fossil fuels. Switching to solar is a no-brainer.
Of course, there’s still a lot to learn, especially when it comes to installing solar panels on your home. As California’s #1 Solar Installation Company, we are happy to share the info you need and answer all your questions.
So let’s get started! Reach out to Horizon Solar Power to inquire further about solar for your home.
855-857-2567