Have you noticed more and more solar panels on the roofs of homes in your local area recently? If you have, then it’s not your imagination. Thanks to tax credits, improved technology, and the sheer rising costs of traditional energy bills, there’s been a huge increase in the number of domestic solar panel installations across the United States. 

If you’ve been thinking about adding solar panels to your property, but you’re not yet fully convinced, then this page is for you. Below, we’ll outline a bunch of the benefits of installing solar panels that might just provide the final push you need. 

Lower Energy Bills 

Tired of paying through the roof energy bills? We hear you. Solar panels offer a great investment for your property thanks, in large part, to how much money they can save you every single month. While it varies from household to household, US homeowners can expect to save an average of $1,500 every single year. That’s no loose change. Throw in the fact that solar panel systems tend to have a lifespan that exceeds 25 years, and it becomes clear that there are some serious savings to be had. 

Better For The Planet

The earth isn’t in great shape. To protect the planet’s future, we either have to radically change virtually everything about how we live, or we need to find a way to live sustainably. Solar panels offer a sustainable pathway, allowing homeowners to enjoy all the comforts of modern life while also drastically reducing their carbon footprint.

If you’ve been making small changes to improve the planet (recycling, buying local)  and you’re ready to step things up, then look at getting in touch with a solar panel installation company to get a quote. 

They (Eventually) Pay For Themselves

Many people are interested in adding solar panels to their homes but are put off by what they see as being high upfront costs. Yet, while it’s true that solar panel systems can, on the face of it at least, be expensive, it’s also important to remember that they can eventually pay for themselves. While it’ll depend on the size of the system and the cost of solar panels in your local area, most homeowners find that they’ve recouped their investment in around 12 – 15 years. Once that period has passed, you’ll be generating completely free electricity, which is just about every homeowner’s dream.

Unable to pay the full cost of a solar panel system installation upfront? Speak to the installer to see if they have any financing options available. The majority do, allowing you to spread the cost of installation.

There are Tax Credits Available

It’s also recommended to check if there are any tax credits available that can help to reduce the cost of solar panel installation. Some states have their own tax credit programs, so do a little research and see what’s available. There’s also currently a federal tax credit available, which offers 30% of the total cost of installation in tax credits.

It’s called the Residential Clean Energy Credit and is currently supposed to last through 2032. However, the current government is considering ending the program at the end of 2025. If you’re interested in solar panels and want to maximize your savings, then it’ll be best to take action before the tax credit comes to a premature end. 

They Protect Against Rising Energy Costs

You know things are bad when the EIA is already saying that they predict that electricity costs will continue to rise well into 2026. And that’s on the back of the significant increase in electricity costs that we’ve seen in the past few years. In truth, it seems unlikely that energy costs will decrease before the end of the decade, and even then, there’s no guarantee that the costs will fall significantly. Ultimately, while it’s not confirmed, it seems like the era of cheap energy is over.

Installing solar panels is a good way to protect yourself against fluctuating energy costs. While other homeowners will have to dig deep to pay the bills, you’ll have cheap, reliable energy. 

Advanced Batteries Are Available

Many homeowners, especially those who live in climates that aren’t dominated by sunlight, worry that their solar panel systems won’t be effective enough to be worth the investment. To begin, it’s important to remember that solar panels can generate electricity even on cloudy days (just not as much). It’s also not true that solar panels need hot weather.

It’s the sun’s light that does the work, not the heat. In fact, solar panels are actually more effective in colder weather. They’ll produce more electricity on a blue sky, -5 degrees day in Michigan than on a 100 degrees day in Arizona.

Another way that homeowners can avoid the ‘it’s not sunny’ solar problem is by investing in a battery. Solar panel technology has improved a lot in recent years, and that’s especially true when it comes to batteries, which are today better than ever. A whole-house battery, for instance, will hold and store enough energy to power your entire house once that sun goes down. 

Increase the Value of Your Home

As we said at the beginning of the article: interest in solar panel systems is pretty hot right now, for all the reasons we’ve mentioned so far. As such, people looking to buy properties are willing to pay more if the property already has a solar panel system installed. That should make sense; people love the thought of buying a property that offers free electricity, so it’s a pretty easy sell! Studies have shown that, on average, homes with solar panel systems sell for nearly 7% more, with the price for some homes increasing by as much as $25,000.

To get the most value from your solar panel installation, you’ll need to live in the house for long enough to recoup the investment (10ish years). At that point, you can sell the property (if desired) and get the benefit of receiving more cash because the house has solar panels. 

Stay Safe From Power Outages 

Some people relish power outages, but for most people, they’re a big inconvenience. Solar panel systems that have batteries offer energy security, ensuring that you can have access to energy even if the grid goes down. Don’t think that you’ll ever be in a position where the grid goes down? Energy outages are increasingly common across the United States, and as the recent problem in Spain showed us, even places that normally have reliable power can have issues.

They’re Low Maintenance

The technology that underpins solar panels might be complex, but looking after it isn’t. In fact, solar panels typically only need some periodic cleaning and standard maintenance from a trained professional. By and large, you’ll forget that they’re even there. 

They Last a Long Time 

Finally, there’s the matter of solar panel longevity. The installation process is actually a lot more straightforward than you might think, but even if it were complicated, the sheer fact that the system will last for 25 years or more shows that it’s a good investment. After you’ve gone through the payback period, you’ll generate free electricity for up to two decades. 

Conclusion

Given all the benefits of installing solar panels, it’s a wonder that not every homeowner is installing them. If you’re ready to make the leap, then get in touch with a local solar panel installer — they’ll come up with a tailor-made solution that works for your specific needs.