Go Solar Energy

Why Degradation Rate Is Important When Choosing Solar Panels

Why Degradation Rate Is Important When Choosing Solar Panels

By Leave a Comment

Have you ever considered what makes a solar panel last, and remain efficient? That’s a big question when it comes to getting your money’s worth from a solar energy system. If you’re looking to get a solar energy system that will stand the test of time, you’ll need to look into the degradation rate of its panels, and not just its price. Remember, price is important when choosing solar panels, but if you choose to purchase cheaper panels to save some money, it might cost you in the long run. Find out what degradation is and how it will affect your solar energy system.

What Is Degradation?

triangle with time, cost, and efficiency written on each side

When we talk about the degradation rate of solar panels, we mean the amount that the power output of the panels decreases over time. All solar panels degrade over time, with most degrading at about an average rate of 0.5% each year. But as with anything you purchase, it all depends on how much you pay for your solar panels. The cheaper the panel,  generally the more it will degrade over time. It is important to know that losing a percentage of your power output can have a really big impact on your savings potential! The faster your panels degrade, even if they are only degrading by 1% a year, the more savings on your utility bills you’ll be missing out on.

How Does Degradation Happen?

Many factors can contribute to the degradation of solar panels. One way solar panel degradation happens is through microcracks that form in the silicon of the solar cells. These small cracks cause electrical connections to deteriorate, meaning there are fewer paths for the electrons from the sun to take, and thus less energy goes to your inverter and into your home or business. The climate, temperature, and materials used in manufacturing all play a role in the degradation rate of a solar panel, and how well it can hold up and continue to provide energy. 

Finding the Best Solar Energy System

a house with solar panels on the roof

The best way to make sure that your solar panels perform at their best is to purchase them from a reputable company. And not only is it important to find well-made, durable solar panels, but it is also important to purchase a system with a great warranty. Go Solar Energy works with top-rated companies in the nation; that means we can find a solar panel system that has the lowest degradation rate possible, so you can continue to save the most amount possible on your electric bills for many years to come. 
Reviewing all the different types of solar panels, how durable and efficient they are, and the warranties offered by different companies can take a very long time. Go Solar Energy makes the process easier for you. Give us a few minutes and we can compare all of the different types of solar panels for sale and how much each company charges for them. We’ll set you up with a local agent who will go over all available plans to help you find the solar energy system that best suits your needs and finances. To get started, enter your zip code on the homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents call (888) 290-3112.

How Do I Claim the Federal Tax Credit for My Solar Energy System?

By Leave a Comment

Switching to solar energy for your home or business is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the planet, but it’s also a great way to save money – and not just because you’ll be slashing your electric bill. Right now, if you install a solar energy system, you can claim a credit of 26% of the expense of a residential or commercial solar panel system on your federal taxes. That’s a huge saving for anyone! But the time to act is now: the federal tax credit for solar panels will decrease in 2023 to 22%. So this tax season, let’s talk about how exactly you can get this money back when you switch to solar.

The Solar Investment Tax Credit

stacks of coins

The solar investment tax credit, also known as the federal solar tax credit, has been one of the most successful federal incentives encouraging people to go solar. This tax credit helps offset the initial cost of installing solar panels on your home or business, allowing you to claim 26% of the total cost of your system back on your federal taxes. So, for example, if you were given a quote of $20,000 for a solar panel system, you would save around $5,200 on your federal taxes. Not only that, but the tax credit will roll over year after year. 

Keep All Your Paperwork

To get the full benefit of your solar panel system on your taxes, you should keep track of everything that you spend on the system. Keep the paperwork for everything, including:

  • The cost of your solar equipment 
  • Solar consulting fees
  • Professional installer fees
  • Labor costs for the solar installation, including electricians’ fees and engineers’ fees
  • Wiring, screws, bolts, nails, and other necessary hardware
  • Energy storage devices that are powered through the solar panels, including solar batteries
  • Permitting fees
  • Permitting service costs
  • Contractors’ fees

When Filing For The Tax Credit

When it comes time to actually file your solar tax credit, you will need to file form 5695 with your 1040 individual tax return. If you have a commercial solar energy system, you will need to complete form 3468. You will need to:

stack of receipts
  1. Gather all of your receipts.
  2. Calculate the credit on Part 1 of the form: on line 1, enter your overall costs, then complete the calculations on lines 6a and 6b.
  3. If solar is your only renewable energy addition, and you don’t have any rollover credit from the previous year, skip down to line 13.
  4. On line 14, calculate any tax liability limitations using the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit Limit Worksheet, which you can find online. Then, complete calculations on lines 15 and 16.
  5. Be sure to enter the figure from line 15 on your Form 1040, line 5.

It is important to note that as the years go by, the federal solar tax credit will keep decreasing. By the year 2024, it is projected that there will only be a 10% tax credit for commercial installations, and 0% for residential. So if you are interested in getting a solar panel system, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later- you don’t want to miss out on these tax credits!
If you are considering going solar, come to Go Solar Energy. We will provide you with the best service and all the information you need, for free. Working with a trusted company like Go Solar Energy will not only help you get the most efficient solar panels, but will also help you save thousands of dollars, since our agents work with the top-rated solar companies in the nation. That means we can compare all available plans and find the right one for your needs. We will go over all of the tax exemptions in your state and make sure to save you as much money as possible. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar on our home page, or to speak with one of our licensed agents, call 888-290-3112.

3 Things You Can Do to Make Sure Your Property Is Solar Energy-Ready

By Leave a Comment

Installing a solar energy system at your home or business is pretty straightforward. You won’t have to do anything: the company you buy your solar panels from will send out professionals to install them. This process should be quick and easy, as long as there are no hiccups along the way. What do we mean by hiccups? Well, some properties and roofs might be less suitable for a solar panel system, so to avoid any issues with installation, you will need to first evaluate your property to make sure solar panels are a good fit for your property as is. If they aren’t, there are things you can do to get more solar energy-ready.

1. Check the Condition of Your Roof

man on a roof fixing it

Before you decide to have solar panels installed on your roof, you should first assess the condition of your roof. Make sure that your shingles, support beams, and other materials are all secure and don’t need to be replaced. If you can’t do this yourself, the solar company you choose to work with will send out someone to assess your roof for you. And on a positive note, your solar panels will increase the lifespan of your roof, because they will protect it from damage from storms and other issues. 

2. Update Your Electrical System

You might not think that you have to check your current electrical system before you install your solar energy system, but it is very important to make sure that your electrical system is up-to-date so it can support your new system. Having an older electrical system might make it harder to install solar panels, but a qualified installer will be able to identify where the issues are coming from and where updates are needed, and will also be able to upgrade your system so it is ready for solar panels to be installed. 

3. Make Sure There Are No Obstructions

picture of a house with trees around it and over the roof

Solar panels work by converting direct sunlight into energy for your home or business, so the best way to get the most out of your solar energy system, and save money on your electric bill, is to make sure that your solar panels are not obstructed. If there are trees on your property that shade your roof, or any other things in the way of your panels, this will affect the efficiency of your solar panels. The shade will interfere with the production output of your solar panels, so if you can, remove tree branches or any other obstructions that are in the way of your roof.


Before you decide to install solar panels, assess the above-mentioned things to make sure that your home or business will be completely ready to reap all the benefits of a solar panel system. And if you have checked all the boxes and are ready to get your solar panel system installed, Go Solar Energy can help! We can help you figure out the best system for your budget, and how much you will save when making the switch to solar power. Our agents are highly trained and will compare all of the systems available for your home or business, and find the perfect plan for your budget and needs. To get free instant quotes, enter your zip code on our homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents call (888) 290-3112.

Biden Administration To Expand the Use of Solar Power Farms on Federal Land

By Leave a Comment

It is no secret that solar power is great for the environment because it’s clean, green, and totally renewable. And this is exactly why President Biden is looking to expand the use of solar power in the U.S. and is pushing to open up public lands for solar projects. For example, two large-scale solar projects were recently approved in California. Hopefully, these projects are just the beginning, and the Biden Administration will be able to use more federal land for solar projects throughout the U.S. in the future. 

The Expansion of Solar Energy on Federal Land

The Interior Department has approved two solar projects on federal land in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles. Combined, these two solar projects will be able to generate up to 465 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 132,000 homes. Not only that, but there are talks of a planned third 500-megawatt solar farm getting approval as well. 

hundreds of solar panels on land

The Interior Department also issued a nomination of land for development within “solar energy zones” in Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. If approved, these zones would cover about 140 square miles with solar farms.

The solar development zones were first proposed under the Obama Administration. In 2012, there were plans to bring utility-scale solar energy projects to public lands in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Experts have identified almost 1,400 square miles of public land that could be leased to create more solar farms; if all of these identified lands were developed, the Bureau of Land Management says the land could support farms that create more than 100 gigawatts of solar power, which is enough to power 29 million homes!

“We fully intend to meet our clean energy goals,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said. She said the Trump administration stalled clean energy by shuttering renewable energy offices at the Bureau of Land Management, and by undermining long-term agreements, but the Biden Administration was working to get things back on track.

The Build Back Better Bill

There has been opposition to Biden’s climate agenda, which he has included in his Build Back Better Bill, from Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin, but the Biden Administration has indicated that this will not stop them from moving forward on climate action. 

picture of US capitol

It is important to pass the Build Back Better bill, because without it, it will be difficult to get more solar projects underway. Without the provisions in the bill, tax incentives to build large-scale solar farms will drop to 10% of a developer’s total capital costs by 2024, instead of rising to 30%.

It seems like the future is bright for solar power, and if you are interested in getting on board, Go Solar Energy can assist you! We can help you figure out the best system for your budget, and how much you will save when making the switch to solar power. Our agents are highly trained and will compare all of the systems available for your home or business, and find the perfect plan for your budget and needs. To get free instant quotes, enter your zip code on our homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents call (888) 290-3112.

Making the Switch to Solar for Your Small Business Has Never Been Easier with Go Solar Energy

By Leave a Comment

Making the switch to solar energy for your small business can feel like a big deal. It is a big expense, but think about this: whether you want to save some money on your bills, help the planet, or both, going solar is a great investment, especially considering the tax credits you can get to offset the costs. But is making the switch right for your business? Would your business benefit from using renewable energy? Go Solar Energy’s highly trained agents can assess your personal situation and determine if a solar panel system is right for you, and which plan would be best for your business. 

What Kind of Building Do You Operate Out Of?

illustration of a store building

Before you decide on going solar, think about your physical workplace. Do you operate out of a small space? More importantly, is your business on property that you own, or does it share a roof with other businesses? Are you leasing the property or do you own it? These are all things that need to be taken into consideration when determining if a solar energy system is right for your business. 

How Much Power Do You Need?

Are you open for long hours, or every day of the week? How about during holidays and on weekends? With traditional electricity from the utility company, energy costs are based on usage, which can add up for a small business. But with solar power, your panels will take the sun’s rays and transform it into electricity, and any excess that you do not use can be stored for use whenever you need it. And for times when you don’t have any excess energy stored away, you can use electricity from the utility company – which is still cheaper than solely relying on electricity from the utility company.

Is Your Business Somewhere That Experiences Power Outages?

candle lit with a laptop screen in the background

Power outages can mean closing your business and losing profits. With a solar power system, though, you will always have electricity for your business, even when there is an outage or a storm that knocks out the electricity. How? Well, your panels will generate excess power that is stored away for these kinds of days, and you will have even more power stored if you have battery backups in addition to your stored excess energy. With both of these things, your business’s doors will always be open when you need them to be.

Can You Afford to Make the Switch?

Some people assume that solar panel systems are too expensive for them, and while they can be pricey, there are ways to make them more affordable. For example, there are tax credits available, such as the investment tax credit (ITC) which apply to both residential and commercial solar installations. These credits alone would save you 26% off the cost of installation when deducted from your federal taxes. 

You can also receive Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECS), which allow you to earn additional income from solar energy generation. You can earn one SREC for every megawatt-hour (MWh), or 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWhs), of electricity your solar panel system generates, which you can sell to get even more of your money back. 

Our agents can also look into other ways to help you save money when you purchase your solar energy system. You’ve worked hard to build your business from the ground up, and we know you want to grow it as much as possible – and going solar can actually help you do that! If you are considering solar panels for your business because of all the money-saving and brand-boosting. benefits, Go Solar Energy can help you. 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 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.

How Does Uninstalling and Reinstalling Solar Panels Work?

By Leave a Comment

Solar panels are generally easy to install on your home or business, and in most cases, you can rest assured that they will last a lifetime once they’re up there. But, in rare cases, you might need to take your solar panels down and reinstall them. For example, something could go wrong with a couple of solar panels, your roof could need to be repaired, or you might move houses and want to take your solar panel system with you. In these cases, you will have to uninstall your panels – but don’t worry, uninstalling and reinstalling your solar panels is fairly simple. So how does it work and what will it cost you? 

How Does It All Work?

If you decide to remove your solar panels, don’t attempt to do it yourself – you risk damaging the panels or their components, as well as voiding your warranty. Instead, you should contact the company who installed them, who will send professional solar installers to your house. 

people on a roof installing solar panels

So what will the professionals do? The process of removing solar panels involves unhooking the solar power generation system, uninstalling the hardware that holds the panels in place, and then taking down and securely storing the panels until it is time to put them back up again. It is important that you properly store any panels that you remove so they do not get damaged. 

How Long Will It Take To Remove & Reinstall Solar Panels?

In general, most residential systems (5-20kW) installed on asphalt shingles can be removed in 1 day. 2-3 days will be needed to reinstall the panels and racking once you’re ready for them. For businesses, depending on the roof type and conditions, a 50 to 100 kW system could require 3-5 days for panel and racking removal. Then another 8-10 days will be needed to reinstall the panels.

Before Removing Your Panels Consider…

outline of a shield with a blue checkmark in the middle of it
  • Your warranty– Your solar panel’s warranty will most likely require that the panels only be handled by professionals, otherwise, you risk voiding your warranty.
  • How much it will cost – Removing and reinstalling the solar panels on your roof will cost around $250 to $300 per solar panel. The average cost to remove and reinstall a solar energy system is around $3,750, depending on the size, and other factors such as how long the panels will need to be stored. Sometimes you can safely store them in your garage, shed, or business/ warehouse to cut down on costs. 
  • Who is doing the job– Roofers or contractors might claim that they can uninstall and reinstall solar panels, but you have to be very careful who you allow to do this job. You risk voiding your warranty, and you risk damaging your solar panel system, if you allow unauthorized workers to do the job – and if they make a mistake, it’ll be your responsibility to fix it. Not to mention, if not done right, there can be electrical hazards, including fire risks.

Need Help?

It can be confusing and overwhelming knowing where to start if you have to uninstall and reinstall your solar panels. But the most important things to remember are: you’ll need to contact your solar company to send out professionals to do it to keep your warranty in place, and you’ll need to prepare a storage place for the panels until they are ready to be reinstalled. 
If you are looking for further help, or looking to install solar panels on your home or business, Go Solar Energy can help! We can help you figure out the best system for your budget, and how much you will save when making the switch to solar power. Our agents are highly trained and will compare all the different systems available for your home or business, and find the perfect plan for your budget and needs. To get free instant quotes, enter your zip code on the homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents call (888) 290-3112.