Deciding to install solar panels on your home and get off the power grid is a big step. As such, you shouldn’t go into it blindly. There are several things you need to know before buying solar panels.
For example, do you know how solar energy works? Do you know where to buy solar panels? Just as importantly, do you know how to take advantage of the financial benefits of your solar energy system?
We want to make sure you have all the information you need. Keep reading for five tips every homeowner should know before installing solar panels.
1. Find the Right Solar Provider
First, knowing where and how to buy solar panels is essential. You don’t want to hire just any solar company.
The right solar provider will spend time explaining your system needs and requirements. They’ll be able to provide high-quality, warrant-backed residential solar panels to ensure you’re always taken care of.
The solar technicians should also be certified to work with electrical systems. Otherwise, your system installation could prove dangerous to your home and family.
2. Know How Much Energy You Need
A solar panel installation is complex, requiring a number of complicated mathematical conversions. Outfitting your home with adequate energy from the sun isn’t as simple as buying solar panels.
You need to work with your solar panel company to calculate how much energy you need to generate to power your entire household. This will also impact the size of your battery bank and your converter needs.
3. Solar Can Save You Thousands of Dollars
Obviously, converting your home to solar energy can save you money on your monthly energy bill. However, this is not the only area in which you can save money. In some cases, you can actually earn money.
For example, some power companies allow you to earn credits based on the amount of unused energy you create. In some cases, you can take advantage of state programs to earn cash for creating certain amounts of energy.
For more information, check out this article on how much can solar save.
4. Remember to Claim Your Costs on Your Taxes
When buying solar panels and other solar equipment, it’s essential to hang onto your receipts. Your solar equipment costs and installation expenses can be claimed on your taxes. In fact, through 2022, you can get up to 26% of your costs back from Uncle Sam.
To put that into perspective, let’s say you spend $15,000 building a system that powers your entire household. By claiming these expenses, you could potentially get $3,900 back.
5. Understand How Solar Works
Finally, when buying solar panels for your home, it’s important to understand how solar energy systems work. First, there are countless types of solar panels and designs.
For example, there are monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. You can choose flexible, thin home solar panels or traditional solar panels.
Furthermore, it’s important to know how many usable daylight hours there are and what issues might prevent your panels from working efficiently. Ideally, all this information should be covered by your solar installer.
Thinking About Buying Solar Panels?
There are absolutely amazing perks to installing solar panels for your home. However, just like any investment, it helps to know as much as possible about what you’re investing in. We hope our tips on buying solar panels provided some valuable insight. For more information on green energy, home improvement, and investing, look through the rest of our blog. We have tons of articles created to educate consumers like you so that you can make good decisions.
