For decades people have been dreaming about the day when homes would be powered by solar energy. Now, at long last, these dreams are starting to become a reality. However, going solar is still a very complex process, and it is not necessarily a smart investment for everyone. Luckily, if you’re interested in residential solar and you’re not sure where to start, companies like Understand Solar are there to help.
Why Solar? Why Now?
Solar energy has always been a good idea, in theory. Sunlight is free, and using it does not pollute the environment. Unfortunately, for a long time, making this good idea a reality was simply too expensive for the average consumer.
Luckily, that is not the case anymore.
Over the past 10 years, the cost of going solar has dropped by roughly 70 percent. As a result, during this same period, solar employment has more than doubled, pumping an estimated $17 billion into the American economy. And with states like California now mandating new homes to be equipped with solar energy systems, the industry as a whole continues to experience an average annual growth rate of 50 percent.
In short, there has never been a better time to go solar, which is excellent news for consumers and for the environment. But making the leap can still be pretty intimidating. Solar energy systems may be more affordable than ever, but they are still significant investments. That means you will need to calculate the cost-benefit ratio and ROI, which depends on a number of complicated factors, including the architectural features and geographical location of your home, the prevalence of solar contractors and suppliers in your area, and the complex web of laws, regulations, and tax incentives in your particular state and municipality.
That’s where the experts at Understand Solar come in. They will teach you everything you need to know and walk you through the entire process. For free. No commitment required.
Understand Solar
Understand Solar is a third-party solar energy advocate. As such they neither sell nor install solar energy systems themselves. Instead, they promote the solar industry by educating consumers and simplifying the process of going solar.
If you don’t know the first thing about solar energy, Understand Solar will start by teaching you the basics, including how solar energy systems work, how they connect to the public grid, how much solar panels cost, and how long solar panels last. Then they will give you an overview of all the financing and leasing options available, as well as any government tax incentives, including the Federal solar tax credit.
Once you’re ready to take the next step, Understand Solar will give you a free personalized solar energy assessment. All you have to do is fill out their simple online form and provide a few details about your home. A solar energy expert will then contact you via phone to go over your assessment and answer any questions you may have. But absolutely no commitment is required.
It may turn out that solar energy is not right for you at all. If that’s the case, your Understand Solar representative will explain why. However, given recent trends in the industry, you might discover that you actually stand to lose money in the long run if you don’t go solar.
Residential Solar Panels Could Be The Best Investment You’ll Ever Make
In recent years, we’ve started to get a much clearer picture of the value solar energy systems can add to a home. Though it all depends on where you live and how much direct sunlight your property gets, generally speaking, homes with solar energy systems sell faster and for higher prices than homes without. One recent study found that solar energy systems add about 4.1 percent to the value of the average home, with higher rates occurring in major urban areas. Another study found that buyers are generally willing to pay $15,000 more for a home with solar energy. And yet another study concluded that, assuming your house gets enough light, you gain about $5,911 in value for each kilowatt of solar installed.
When you factor in projected long term electricity rates and all the money you’ll save on traditional energy, plus the value a residential solar energy system can add to your home, solar panels start to look like a very attractive long term investment. In fact, depending on where you live, it’s possible that an investment in solar energy could outperform traditional investment portfolios over the course of 15 to 20 years, especially in these uncertain times.
If all that sounds kind of complicated, that’s because it is. But it doesn't have to be. If you’re thinking about installing residential solar, start by getting your free solar assessment from Understand Solar. They’ll crunch all the numbers for you and lay out your options in plain English. Then, when you are ready, Understand Solar will arrange in-home estimates with experienced installers in your area.
So if you're ready to get your risk-free solar assessment, just click here to get started.
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