Relying on solar energy is a fantastic idea. However, this is something that should not be an impulse buy. And there are many reasons why we’re saying this. Mainly, buying a solar system is one of the largest purchases you can make, next to homes and cars. With that in mind, you really need to sit down and carefully think before going solar in Las Vegas. This is easier said than done though, as many Americans aren’t very familiar with just how complex the solar industry is. However, once you start learning about this energy source, you will see just how good it can be. In addition to offering reliable residential solar panel cleaning services, Peak Services offers advice as well. Before you go solar, you need to ask a few important questions, and we’re here to go through them with you.
Before going solar in Las Vegas, you need to tackle a few important questions
The important things to consider before going solar in Las Vegas
In case you are thinking of harnessing the power of the sun, there are a few important questions you should use to begin your research. They will help you cover the basics, as well as help you understand the whole system better. Before you go all in and start calculating your budget, think about these few big questions. Each and every one of them is important, and we’ll cover them today. The important questions you need to consider are:
- Should I even go solar, and why?
- Can the system fit onto my house?
- Does my current electric bill justify solar use?
- How much does a solar system cost?
- What is the best way to finance this project?
- How much money can I save with solar panels?
- Is there a specific brand of panels to look for?
- What is the expected lifetime of a solar panel?
- Will I need to perform regular maintenance and cleaning?
- Who can I trust to maintain my panels?
These are all very valid and important questions and need to be carefully considered. But the good news is that we’re here to shed some light on the situation. We have the necessary expertise in the field, and we would be happy to share our knowledge with you. Now, let’s tackle these questions one by one, and help you make one of the most important decisions in your life.
The decision to switch to solar power is the most important
Before you start exploring this topic further, you need to make the first decision. And that is whether or not you should even switch to solar energy. This decision is in the end, entirely up to you. In most cases, homeowners choose to go solar mainly for electricity bill savings. And although this is enticing on its own, there’s more to it. You will also be able to control your power bill and even increase your property value.
In some states, you can even get paid for the excess energy you produce! In addition, solar power helps reduce your carbon footprint, creates jobs for thousands of Americans, and promotes the future of renewable energy. There are many reasons why you should switch to solar energy, and they depend entirely on your preference. Think about this decision, as it will influence the rest of the questions in our list.
Can your home support a solar system?
This is yet another important question because the answer will directly affect your system’s costs and savings. The best answer can be given by experts in the field after they carefully inspect your home. However, there are a few guidelines that can help you get a basic understanding of your home’s capabilities. The key factors to think about are:
- The amount of sun that hits your roof. This is the most important factor, as you need sunlight to generate energy. If your home is largely in the shade, then solar power might not be a viable option.
- The direction of your roof. In the northern hemisphere, the roofs facing the south spend the most time in the sun. This positioning allows you to purchase fewer panels, and still produce enough energy for the home. But, regardless of the positioning, you still need solar panel cleaning North Las Vegas services to produce the most energy.
- The overall electricity cost in the region. The higher the electricity price, the more you can save by switching to solar energy. Just keep in mind that it will take some time before this difference is noticeable, as a solar system is quite a large investment.
If your home fits these verifiers, then solar power is a wise investment. Now that we have this basis covered, we can move on to the financial part of our discussion.
Seek expert opinion on whether or not your home can support a solar system
Carefully calculate your electricity bill before going solar in Las Vegas
Even if you have the ideal home for solar energy, a low electricity bill may turn you away from this decision. Even if your city or state charges high rates, solar may still not be worth it if you don’t use a lot of power. Now is the time to ask yourself an important financial question: Is my power bill high enough to justify this investment?
As a rule of thumb, your energy bill should be above $75 a month. In this case, solar energy makes sense from an immediate savings standpoint. Simply put, the more you pay for electricity, the faster the panels will pay for themselves. If your home has a low power usage, going solar won’t save you large amounts of money. So sit down, grab a calculator, and carefully crunch the numbers.
The price of solar panels is an important factor to consider
If you don’t include a Power Purchase Agreement, or any lease deals, a new solar system typically costs around $25.000. For reference, we’re talking about a system that offsets 100% of the average household energy usage. Do keep in mind that the cost is directly affected by how much energy you use, meaning that your home could need a system that costs a lot more than that number, or well below it.
With that in mind, it is very difficult to accurately estimate the cost of a system. You’ll also have to think of other costs of keeping your system running, such as solar panel bird proofing. Usually, a solar company can build a price estimate by examining your last six months of energy bills, and a specialized sun tracking software. With these, they can determine the size of a system needed to generate 100% of your power usage.
Before going solar in Las Vegas, carefully calculate your budget
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you absolutely have to purchase a system that offsets 100% of your energy bill. Doing so is recommended, but you can still customize your system to generate anywhere between 25% and 100% of your electricity bill. Individual providers can also affect the price of solar power.
If you want to explore further and crunch some numbers, we recommend seeking an unbiased opinion on the best solar companies available in your area.
Think about the different ways to finance your panel purchase
There are many different ways to finance your new solar panels. Before going solar in Las Vegas, you need to understand them and know what works best for you. Usually, the best way to go is the ownership package, because it is the optimal way to control your energy production and save money. You directly purchase the panels and get them running. Alternatively, there are leasing deals and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
These allow users to go solar without paying for the system out of pocket. The problem lies in the fact that you don’t directly own the panels, and will usually pay the solar company for electricity, instead of the utility company. Over time, companies can bump the process, and cut any savings you were once getting. All things considered, it is very important to understand your financing options, and the capabilities of your budget, before making this critical decision.
How much money can going solar in Las Vegas actually save you?
It’s not so easy to be satisfied with the price of your solar system if you can’t figure out how much money it will save you. Before you make an investment, you need to know if the cost of solar panels is worth it. Luckily, there are ways to calculate how much money you can save through solar energy.
It depends on a few factors, and one of the larger ones is the fact that you’re entitled to a tax credit if you decide to go solar. The Investment Tax Credit allows you to take 26% of your system’s cost, and apply it as a tax credit next year. So, if your system costs $20.000, you can take $5.200 off your taxes the following year.
Many Las Vegas residents opt for solar power as a way to save money
Another factor that determines your savings is the way you finance the system. If you go for a lease or a PPA, you can save a few dollars every month. However, if you buy your system with cash, you can put 100% of your power bill right back into your pocket. Lastly, if you get a loan to finance your panels, you’d want your payments to be lower than your monthly bill. All things considered, an average solar system will pay itself off completely in roughly 6 to 8 years. This is a very long time, but if you invest smartly, it is very worth it as well.
Your choice of panels also matters a lot
As time goes on, solar panels change their size, power production, and efficiency. That is why it is important to know what is currently available on the market. In most cases, people tend to look for looks, rather than the technology within the panel. In terms of aesthetics, there are a few choices to go for. The different types of solar panels for your LV home include black panels, blue panels, or solar shingles. As far as brands go, LG, Samsung, and Tesla offer the highest quality and efficiency.
Every panel has a KwH rating, which shows how many kilowatts a panel can produce in an hour in direct sunlight. Usually, higher production ratings mean higher prices. The good thing is that you don’t have to worry about quality. Solar companies keep a close eye on the market, in order to provide their customers with the highest quality options available.
What is the usual life expectancy of a solar panel?
This is yet another important question you need to ask yourself before going solar in Las Vegas. When we invest in something, we like to know just how long that investment will last. However, because solar panel technology has improved so much over time, it’s difficult to know exactly how long a panel will last.
In most cases, the majority of solar companies claim that their panels can efficiently produce energy for at least 25 years. This means that your panels will suffer a slight degradation over time. The average decay is around 0.8 to 1.2% of the original efficiency each year.
A quality solar panel can serve you well for as long as 25 years!
This degradation is often caused by dirt, bird refuse, and other factors, which is why it is very important to regularly clean your panels, and bird-proof them. If you want your panels to last as long as they possibly can, regular maintenance is an absolute must.
Professional companies like Peak Services offer excellent and affordable services which revolve around solar panel maintenance, roof cleaning Las Vegas options, as well as turf management. With their help, going solar in Las Vegas will be simple, efficient, and enjoyable.
