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You’ve heard people talk about the many benefits of adding solar panels to their homes but you just can’t seem to see the benefits everyone else sees, and that’s okay… lots of people don’t see the benefits because they don’t understand how solar panels work.

A very condensed version to explain solar panels is basically, when solar panels are installed on your home, those panels will use the energy from the sun to create electricity in your home. Again, this is a shortened and condensed version of how solar panels work.

Less than 2% of the US’s power is generated through solar power, and despite that percentage being so low, the 2019 International Energy Agency reported that solar power is indeed becoming the fastest-growing source of renewable energy. The report further states that in the next five years, it’s very possible that renewable energy will make up 60% of the world’s source of power.

How Much Does It Cost to Have Solar Panels Installed?

The price of having solar panels installed varies from company to company but the Center For Sustainable Energy states that on average, the installation cost of solar panels can run anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000. That number might sound alarming to you initially, but if you calculate all the benefits of solar panels and the money you’ll save on your electric bill, you’ll see how you’ll earn that money back over time.

Also, despite the alarming number, the federal government is even offering rebates and tax incentives that help homeowners with the installation costs. Oregon’s Department of Energy is even joining the renewable energy fun by launching a new solar and storage rebate program.

But in order to truly benefit from solar energy, there are a few things you have to look at to determine if solar energy will be worth the price. Take a look at some of the top considerations to look at before making that solar leap.

Considerations to Look at Before Going Solar

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How Much Sunlight Your Home Gets

The more sun your home receives, the more your home’s solar panels will be able to produce energy to power your home. The type of roof you have, its orientation to the sun, and the state you live in also plays a significant role in determining if solar panels are right for your home. The state you live in matters simply because certain states have longer hours of sunlight.

Solar Panel Installers

Finding the right people to install solar panels on your home is a very important factor to take into consideration… You have to find the right solar panel installation contractors to ensure the job is done right and built to last.

Consider looking at a company’s reviews, certification, and even the company’s profile with the Better Business Bureau. All of this will help you find a reputable contractor. Not doing so has the potential to cause roof damage, structural damage to your home, and even fire hazards. This not only puts your home in danger but also the contractors.

Verifying their experience and even checking references from previous clients will help you make a more informed decision on whether or not to do business with a particular contractor.

Average Cost of Electricity Bill

How many times have you looked at your electricity bill and cringed? We all have, especially during the hot summers and cold winters, but solar panels are here to bring relief to your pricy electric bill. Because solar panels make their own energy, it helps offset your electricity bill, and that’s if it doesn’t completely eliminate it. If your bill is typically high, you’re going to see a significant difference.

You have to look at it like this, electricity bills typically fluctuate, which means that your savings can fluctuate too. In the same instance, as the amount of energy you use fluctuates, your savings can fluctuate as well. So you just have to look at what your electricity bill runs on average as well as your household’s energy consumption.