This time of year can bring with it some extreme weather, like thunderstorms and hurricanes, which can cause a lot of disruptions to the energy grid. But there is a way for you to avoid being left without power: switching to solar energy could mean keeping your household running, even in the event of a power outage in your area. If you are deciding whether solar power is worth it for you, you might want to add this benefit to your considerations, especially if you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters. So how can a solar power system come to the rescue in an emergency?
Solar Power Is More Reliable Than the Grid
One of the major advantages of having a solar power system is that this type of energy system is far less likely to fail in an emergency than your local electric power grid. This is because if you are only connected to your local grid, the line that connects to your home has to travel for miles and miles, while your solar power system is attached right to your house! All of your power is contained on your property, so if there is a major weather event and the power goes out in your area, it is unlikely that your solar power system will be affected.
Solar Power Systems Can Be Self-Sustaining
Did you know that if you have solar batteries, they will receive what’s known as a trickle charge from your solar panels, even if you remain tied to the grid? That means that if the power goes out in your area, your emergency backup battery will come on automatically. This can be very helpful when you are home and need emergency power, but it can also be useful if you are traveling and are not home to make sure your solar energy system is working. With a system like this, you’ll never have to worry about the fridge going out and your food spoiling, or your home security system not turning on to protect your home.
Solar Power Can Be Supplemented in an Emergency
If you’re worried about your solar energy system needing a boost in the case of an extreme emergency, you also have the option of supplementing it with a backup system, like gas or diesel generators or hydropower. The best way you make sure that your house will have energy is to consider multiple components so that if one thing fails, another thing will kick in and help.
There Are Other Solar Energy Systems That You Can Use in Your Home
In addition to solar panels on your roof that provide electricity to your home, you can also consider smaller independent systems to keep your household running in an emergency, such as:
- Solar-powered water heater
- Solar-powered lights
- Solar-charged surveillance cameras
- Solar ovens for cooking
- Small solar battery packs or small solar generators
There Are Government Incentives to Help You Afford a Solar Power System
The cost of installing a solar energy system has gone down over the past couple of years, and thanks to state and government tax credits, rebates, and other incentives that are available, many people can save even more money on installation. It is important to note that the solar incentives provided by the government will eventually go away, which is why you should take advantage of them while you can. Currently, there is a 26% tax credit for systems installed by the end of 2022; the tax credit will drop to 22% in 2023, and will be non-existent in 2024.
Now is a great time to look into a solar energy system, because not only will you be able to take advantage of the full solar tax credit, but you will also start saving money on your energy bills immediately. Access to solar energy is expanding in the United States, and there is no better time to get in on this growth! Taking advantage of all of the incentives available now will mean you’ll get a return on your investment as quickly as possible, which will eventually lead to decades of free solar energy.
It can take a lot of work to find the right solar company and the right solar power system for you, but our highly trained agents can make things easy for you. We work with the top-rated companies in the country and can compare all solar plans in your area to find the best one available. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar on our homepage, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-290-3112.