Whether you’re building a brand-new house or renovating your current home, installing solar panels is a smart decision. Home solar panels offer a wide range of benefits to homeowners, from lower electricity bills to a smaller carbon footprint.
Getting started with solar panels can be overwhelming, but Premo Solar is here to help. We are a highly experienced solar company near you in Monterey, and we’ll use our expertise to make the residential solar panel installation process as easy and stress-free as possible.
If you’re thinking of going solar, keep reading to learn how you can get started with solar power at your Monterey, Salinas, or Santa Cruz home.
What To Consider When Going Solar
Get the most out of your solar installation by considering the following factors before you go solar:
How Much Electricity Do You Use?
Before you go solar, you need to think about how much electricity you use and how much of your electricity consumption you want your solar panels to cover.
If your solar panels are not sufficient for your everyday electricity needs, then you will either have to rely on the grid for extra power or install more panels down the road. Similarly, you don’t want to go overboard with your residential solar power system. If the system generates slightly more than enough power, then that’s not a big deal. However, it is a waste of an upfront investment to install more solar panels than necessary.
To avoid installing a system with the wrong capacity for your needs, you should take a look at your recent utility bills to better understand your current power consumption. It’s important to pay close attention to the months in which you use the most power. If you’re building a new home, you should also consider the differences between your current residence and your future home—if the new place is much bigger, then you should expect to use more power for lighting and climate control.
Is Your Home Suitable for Solar Panels?
A solar-powered home requires a lot of sunlight to yield the best results. If your home is surrounded by trees, you may want to consider removing them to avoid shading on your solar panels.
You also need to think about your roof and whether it can handle the weight of a solar system. Premo Solar has decades of roofing experience and can help you determine whether your roof is suitable for solar panels. If your roof is close to the end of its lifespan, we can help you get it replaced before we install solar on your roof. This will help you save money and hassle in the long run, as you won’t have to worry about removing and reinstalling your solar panels when it comes time for a new roof.
How Much Will a Solar Installation Cost?
While solar panels are a great investment, you will have to bear some upfront costs. You may want to install a system that suits all of your needs, but sometimes, money is tight. Although installing all of your solar panels at once is convenient, you can always wait until you have a better budget to install more panels or add solar batteries. If you plan on installing more panels at a later date, then make sure you leave enough room on your roof for the new panels to fit.
For a solar panel cost estimate, schedule a free consultation with Premo Solar. We’re happy to help you learn more about the cost of a solar installation for your home.
What Are the Benefits of Solar Power?
Solar Panels Help You Save Money
Electricity bills are rising across the country. Consequently, the longer you stay connected to the grid, the more you will have to pay for power over your lifetime. Solar panels can pay for themselves in just a few years, so they are a great option for homeowners who want to save thousands of dollars in the long run. This is especially true for households that consume a lot of power.
Solar Panels Increase Your Home’s Value
More and more home buyers are considering residential solar power than ever before. Because of this, a solar-powered home is much more marketable, so your home will stand out more in a hot market. Also, because solar panels increase property values, you may be able to sell your home for a higher price.
Solar Energy Is Good for the Environment
Unfortunately, many power grids rely on coal and other fossil fuels to operate. Not only do these fuels emit heat-trapping carbon dioxide, but they also release particles that reduce air quality and hurt local ecosystems. Solar energy, on the other hand, is the cleanest power source available to us. By installing solar panels, you will decrease your carbon footprint and make the world a cleaner, healthier place.
Solar Batteries Protect You Against Power Outages
Have you ever experienced a power outage? It’s not very fun, and there’s not much that you can do about it. When the power goes out, you have to wait for the government and the utility companies to fix the problem. This can take minutes, hours, days, or even weeks. Meanwhile, you will not be able to use your appliances, light your home, or enjoy other everyday comforts. Solar panels and battery storage allow you to live independently of the local power grid. Even if the grid fails, you can still cool your home, cook dinner, and keep the lights on in a solar-powered home.
Solar Panels Qualify for Tax Credits and Incentives
A variety of county, state, and federal programs make installing solar panels more affordable for homeowners. The most lucrative of these is the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Also known as the federal solar tax credit, the ITC allows you to claim a tax credit worth 30% of your total solar installation costs until 2032. In 2033, the ITC credit will decrease to 26% before dropping to a 22% tax credit in 2024.
California offers many additional solar incentives as well, including net metering.
Go Solar with the Leading Local Solar Provider Near You
Electricity, construction, and all of the other factors that go into optimizing your solar power project can be confusing. You want to get the most for your money, but you may not know where to start. To make the process easier, reach out to Premo Solar. We’re a highly experienced solar installer near you in Monterey, installing high-quality, custom solar power systems. With our help, you can install the best residential solar power system at a great price.
