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Why Spring Is The Perfect Time To Install Solar Panels

Why Spring Is The Perfect Time To Install Solar Panels

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Spring is finally here! Now is the perfect time to think about home improvement projects, do some spring cleaning, and go outside and enjoy the fresh air (unless you have allergies, in which case, we’re sorry) – and it’s also the perfect time to install solar panels! After all, summer is coming, and that time of year is the most expensive when it comes to your electric bill, thanks to the constant need for air conditioning. But for those with solar energy, the summer is the best time thanks to the long sunny days that allow solar panels to soak up the sun’s energy. But that’s not the only reason to consider investing in a solar panel system this spring.

Cost-Effective

dollar bills rolled up and stuck into the dirt.

A solar panel system is a great investment because you will see a return on your investment within a couple of years. When you install your panels, you will get solar incentives that will help offset the cost of a solar energy system. And, once you’re all set up, you will begin saving money on your electric bills right away. 

Bank Your Excess Energy Credits

Solar panels generate a lot of energy during the spring and summer months because the days are longer, which means you can build up a supply of excess energy that you can use later. You can get credit from the utility company for the excess solar energy, and then use it when you need it.  All the excess energy you produce in the sunny springtime will help with the high energy bills that you will get in the summer. Not only that, but all of that solar energy that you continue to soak up during the long summer days will come in very handy once the winter rolls around again. 

Shorter Wait Time for Installation

hourglass with brown sand dropping from the top to bottom
During the spring, you will not have to be put on a waiting list to get your solar panels installed.

Weather-wise, spring is often the perfect time for installation. Installers will not have to deal with extremely hot temperatures as they would have to do in the summer, or with hurricanes or severe storms that can delay installation. The same goes for wintertime: snow and storms might make it harder for solar installers to place panels on your roof. Summer is also one of the most popular times to install panels, so you could end up on a waiting list if you put off installation until then.

Solar Incentives

The federal government just extended the federal solar tax credit until 2023, so now is the time to take advantage of it! The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 extended the 26% tax credit through 2022. It will drop to 22% in 2023 and expire at the end of 2023. Installing now will ensure that you are saving as much money as possible!
Solar energy systems continue to grow in popularity, making them more in demand than ever. If you are in the market for a solar energy system, consider putting up solar panels during the springtime, so you can get them installed quickly and begin banking as much excess energy as possible to fuel your summer days.

To find highly efficient solar panels that will last a long time, you’ll need to compare solar companies and what they offer. Go Solar Energy will help you compare companies and plans in minutes. Our agents work with the top-rated solar companies in the country, and can find the best solar panels that suit your budget, as well as find discounts to help you save hundreds of dollars. To get free instant quotes, enter your zip code in the bar on our homepage, or to speak to a licensed local agent, call 888-290-3112.

Be Prepared: A Better Understanding Of Solar Energy Terms

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Solar energy can seem complicated and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re thinking of going solar, then it’s best to have a basic understanding of some solar energy terminology so you can make a more informed decision on a solar energy system. In order to help simplify your search for the right solar energy system, we have provided some key terms that will help you better understand your options.

Solar Panel Terminology

solar panels on the ground outside
  • Module– This is another name for a solar panel.
  • Kilowatt- The standard unit for electricity. The average home uses approximately 900 kilowatts per month. 
  • Utility Grid– Often referred to as simply “The Grid, ” this is a term for a generating station that produces electricity. Electricity is transmitted from a generator, and transmits it to customers through a distribution system.
  • Off Grid– This means being completely disconnected from the electricity grid. Homes that go “off the grid” have to generate all of their own electricity from their home solar energy system.
  • Array– Multiple solar cells make up a solar panel, and when multiple panels are wired together, it forms a solar array. 
  • Mounting hardware– The equipment used to secure solar panels to each other and onto rooftops.
  • Ground-mounted solar- Term for a solar array that is installed on land. Ground mounted solar systems are mainly used for large-scale commercial and utility-scale solar projects. 

red solar inverter on a wall with a man looking at the wires.
  • Inverter– Solar inverters take direct current (DC) from the solar energy system and use it to create alternating current (AC) electricity to power your home. You have the option to choose from different types of inverters, including micro-inverters, which are attached to each individual solar panel. This allows each panel to perform at its maximum potential, and means that one damaged solar panel won’t bring down the performance of the entire solar array. 
  • Solar batteries– Also referred to as solar storage systems, backup batteries can store excess energy generated by the solar system for use at night or during emergencies. 
  • Solar panel efficiency-The percentage of sunlight captured and converted into reusable energy. Most panels run at about 14-16% efficiency, and high efficiency panels rate just above 20%.
  • Voltage drop– When a current moves through an electrical circuit, a small amount of voltage is lost. This can lead to some production loss from your solar system.

Solar Pricing Terminology 

yellow money sign next to a white question mark
  • Grid parity– A term used when power generated by solar panels costs the same or less than power from conventional resources like natural gas.
  • Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)– Commonly referred to as the solar tax credit, this credit to your federal taxes reduces the total cost of your solar energy system by 30% . 
  • Net metering- With this billing mechanism, you can receive credit for any excess electricity generated by your solar panels. 
  • Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC)– A solar incentive that allows you to get a credit for every unit of electricity that your solar panel system generates. You can sell  your SRECs back to utility companies in order to save more money. 
  • Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)- The contract you sign with a solar company to have a solar energy system installed on your roof. With this agreement, you agree to pay the company a per kilowatt-hour rate for the electricity produced by the solar panels. 

Go Solar Energy wants to make your solar experience as smooth as possible. Our agents will help you fully understand how solar power systems work, and can save you money by finding all of the rebates and incentives offered in your area. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system and reducing your electric bill, we will find you the most affordable plan, so you can start saving hundreds of dollars every year. To compare different plans and to see if you qualify for incentives, speak to one of our agents. We will compare quotes for you in minutes, for free. Start saving now! Enter your zip code on our home page, or to speak directly to an agent call (888) 290-3112.

What Is Solar Energy?

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Solar Energy is finally making its mark on the world, and in a big way! You have probably heard of solar panels, or have even seen some panels on house rooftops. These solar panels help convert solar energy into electricity. So why would anyone bother setting all of this up when you already have perfectly good electricity pumping through your house? Well the reasons are endless! But the big one is that the cost of initial setup has gone down drastically meaning this environmentally friendly renewable energy source can actually end up saving you money! But what exactly is solar energy all about?

Power From The Sun

infographic of solar panel in the middle with the sun next to it on the left, and a light bulb to the right.

Solar power is energy from the sun that is then converted into electricity. It is converted into electricity by the solar panels that capture sunlight installed on your rooftop. 

The International Energy Agency reported in 2017 that solar energy has become the world’s fastest growing source of power. It is not hard to imagine why: it is completely renewable. Sunlight is abundant and virtually effortless to harvest, so it is easy to continually generate electricity from the sun. But how is it captured and converted to be used in homes or businesses?

The Solar Panels

Solar panels pull in energy throughout the day, converting it into electricity in a process known as  the photovoltaic effect. What most people don’t know is that the electric current is direct (DC). Your home business needs an alternating current (AC), so most panels have to be installed with an inverter. So how do solar panels generate electricity?

Once the sun’s energy is captured into solar panels, it converts the sunlight into direct current, DC. An inverter converts the electricity from DC to alternating current, AC. Inverters are similar to the brain of the human body in that they do all the work. Sounds simple enough, right? There are even ways to “collect” enough energy to save for cloudy days.

Savings On Savings

pink piggy bank with the words "keep calm and save money" on it standing on top of stack of hundred dollar bills.
When you invest in solar energy, you will save hundreds each year!

Now that you get the gist of how solar panels work and generate electricity, let’s talk about how you can continuously use the energy, and even make money from it. The first way to save is by net metering, which is an efficient way to manage your utility bill. With net metering, you can trade any surplus energy to your utility company for credits. Then when you need power later, you’ll already have paid for it with the credits you earned. That way, you can be getting free power for those cloudy days.

The second way to save money is through solar renewable energy certificates, or SRECs. SRECs are a way to put cash back in your pocket. They are incentives that allow homeowners to sell certificates of solar energy back to their utility company. A homeowner earns one SREC for every 1000 kilowatt hours produced by their solar panel system. An SREC can be worth over $300 in certain states!

Going Solar Is Easy

mans hands grabbing wires connected to a box that is on a solar panel.
Once you decide to go solar, installation is quick and simple.

Thinking of going solar? It can be done in 4 easy steps:

  1. Consultation- We will take a look at your energy costs and needs. We’ll also answer any questions you have, for free.
  2. Plan – We will discuss the different kinds of solar panels, and stop by to discuss costs and our custom-designed panels. Our team will create a design that will save you money.
  3. Install – Installation is simple. Once done, we will discuss how the system works, and how to turn it on and off. 
  4. Save! – Start saving more money on your utility bills!

Interested In Going Solar?

If you are looking into installing solar for your home or business, Go Solar Energy is ready and equipped to help. We have the best resources available to answer your questions, and guide you through the process. Our company takes pride in helping others, and we don’t do it for the money, which is why our services are completely free. We will let you know if your home or business meet the qualifications for solar panels, and provide you with free quotes. To get started, enter your zip code on the homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents call (888) 290-3112.

Solar Power Is Becoming So Popular, Even Warren Buffett Is Getting On Board!

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About a decade ago, green energy advocates were promoting the use of solar energy, claiming it would power the entire world. The government got behind the green energy idea and started pumping billions of dollars into the industry. Solar stocks were sky high. However, the solar power dream did not take off like people hoped it would, mainly because of the high costs of manufacturing and installing panels. Over time, the solar power game improved and now it is selling for a lot less than before. It is a very promising time for solar power, which is why Warren Buffett is getting behind it.

NV Energy

One of Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway companies is currently backing a project to build the largest solar power plant in the U.S. The subsidiary NV Energy will use the electricity that is generated by a 690-megawatt solar-energy plant in order to build on federal land in Nevada. This will beat another solar plant’s current record of 579 megawatts.

silhouettes of people standing over an electrical pole.
The amount of power the project generates will be enough to provide power to about 230,000 homes.

The Bureau of Land Management has released a statement announcing that they will be approving Buffett’s project after a 90 day comment period. The project will be generating power for all NV Energy companies, and will create 1.19 gigawatts of new power for NV. This amount of power will be enough to provide power to about 230,000 homes. And when the sun isn’t shining, the company will store 590 megawatts of power generated by solar panels. The project will cost about $38.44 per megawatt hour under a 25 year contract. 

The Future Of Solar Power

Trump has opposed the solar power movement, including turning down the idea of extending tax incentives for solar power. However, federal officials are applauding Buffett and the project. Buffett has always been a supporter of environmental action, although he has been criticized in the past for opposing “net metering,” which is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.

It is clear that solar power is making a comeback, at a more cost effective rate. The state of Nevada has mandated that utilities get half of their power from renewable energy by 2030. Other states are participating in this kind of mandate in order to embrace renewable energy. The companies that are embracing renewable energy have seen their stock prices go up. It looks like the future of solar energy is bright.