Solar Panels: Are They Worth the Investment?

You have seen the advertisements and perhaps have even had the salesmen at your door. But have you really wondered whether solar panels are actually worth the investment or not? You are not alone. At the Erica Diaz Team, we have wondered the same thing. So we decided to investigate for ourselves. We sent one of our outstanding realtors, Paul Duhon, to get the scoop on the investment behind solar panels to help us (and you) decide.  

First Thing First, What is Solar Energy, and What are Solar Panels?  

By simply harvesting the power from the sun with solar energy, such as from All American Solar, you can significantly reduce your home’s power bills, all while helping the environment. There really is nothing better than solar energy, and solar panels can easily be installed anywhere on your property as long as it has access to sunlight, such as your roof or garage.  

No More Lost Power

Besides getting your power from the sun, did you know that when normal power goes out from a storm or hurricane, those with solar do not lose power! Most residential solar panel systems are tied directly to an electric grid. So when the electricity goes out, your solar panels stop producing electricity due to a safety mechanism for the grid and anyone possibly working on the electric grid itself. Most solar companies provide battery backups and generator options so that your solar panels can keep their battery charged to use while the grid is down. This feature allows your solar backup battery or generator to keep your home powered, while your neighbors with no solar panels will have no electricity. It comes in pretty handy in the summer heat! 

When you have solar energy that you have stored up and did not use, it rolls over until you need it. So every month, if you can roll over a tad bit of energy, you will be all set for the summer storms.  

Straight from the Source! A Chat with All American Solar!

Paul had the opportunity to chat with Brandon from All American Solar, who gave us some great insight. Brandon shared with us three taglines in the simplest breakdown: American-made! Grassroots! The sun is yours (truly)! See what else he had to say in this short, information-packed video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gom_L0j3zyI&t=1s

Insurance & Solar Panels

One major question often about solar panels has to do with insurance. How much more is it because of the solar panels? If your system runs within tier one or under 11.6 kilowatts, there are no additional insurances needed! Anything over a certain threshold, however, will require extra insurance. 

The types of systems that are anything over the point of 11.6 are typically considered small commercial. For this type of situation, you would need million-dollar supplemental insurance. 80 to 85% of homeowners would not need these extra insurances based on the fact their usage is lower and more balanced in single-family homes.

Durability in Florida

When people consider purchasing solar panels, one of the major concerns is their durability during Florida storms and hurricane season. American Solar, in particular, uses IronRidge racks and rails to securely lock down the solar panels. Customers will not have to worry about heavy winds or rains knocking them off their roofs. With structural reinforcements, you can be sure your solar panels are securely attached!

411 on Warranties

Warranties are another critical feature to keep in mind. There are three major types, performance, labor, and parts. American Solar, in particular, offers a 30-year warranty with a linear performance guarantee on their Silfab panels specifically. As well as other warranties on labor and parts used to attach the solar panels. 

Good for You and Good for the Earth

Solar, though considered relatively new technology, is exceptionally green, meaning good the Earth. There is a considerable reduction in the use of fossil fuels being burned, improvements to the Earth with oxidization, and so forth. For those who drive electric cars, such as Teslas. You can even add a solar charging station to your house based on your solar panels, which is a super cool feature to keep things green.  

If you consider a solar installation, there are many advantages to having a home solar power system. American Solar offers up their most obvious reasons to go solar, which are as follows:

• Solar panels increase the value of your home.
• Solar is a clean and renewable source of energy. It reduces carbon dioxide emissions, creating absolutely no pollution, which is excellent for the environment.
• Solar power reduces or practically eliminates your electric bills. Solar panels generate electricity, which means you don’t pay nearly as much to the local electric companies in order to keep your home powered monthly.
• Solar installation is easy and convenient. You can install solar panels anywhere there is sunlight, whether on the roof of your home or a garage.
• You get to control your power bill between yearly rising energy costs. When the electricity prices increase, you have literally no choice but to pay whatever you are charged. While the cost of electricity has increased 5 percent yearly for the past decade, solar power costs have gone down more than 70 percent.
• There are numerous financial incentives connected to solar power. You can earn bill credits, even extra cash, since your residential solar power system creates electricity, and your investment in solar installation pays for itself.

If You are Staying Long Term in Your Home… Solar Panels are Worth the Investment!

Solar panels are absolutely worth the investment, in our opinion! If you plan on living at your property for the long term, they are definitely worth every penny. As of January 2021, the average pay-off period on solar panels was eight years. This means that it takes the average family who financed their solar panels to pay them off in about eight years or so.  

Though solar companies are trying to make going solar more affordable, it is a significant financial investment at the end of the day. Most companies offer low financing and customizable solar options to make the most out of what you can afford. Solar panels are the way to go for those who do not plan to move and stay at their current home for the long term and are even their forever home. 

Otherwise, if you are thinking of possibly moving in the next eight years or less or have a job that offers frequent relocations, solar panels may not be for you in your current home at this moment.  

Once you hit your breakeven point on paying them off. The amount of money you save on your electric bill is impressive. Many people see $100 or more off of their monthly electric bills. It is so easy to take that extra money to pay them off as soon as possible, and then you are just saving that much more every month, if not more! And do not forget the bill credits of energy that roll over each month!

The Erica Diaz Team – Solar Panels: Are They Worth the Investment?

Solar panels are not just economical for your pocket but also fantastic for the Earth as well. There is no better form of energy than from the sun, and the sun’s energy is FREE! All you need are the solar panels and the right company to set you up. Once you have found your forever home or home you plan on living in for a long time to come. Then it is definitely worth seeking out an experienced solar company to start saving money and going green. We highly recommend using American Solar as a trusted operation for solar panels and agree that solar panels are worth the investment.  

If you are looking for your forever home to add solar panels to, let the Erica Diaz Team of Reality help you today! With an experienced team of knowledgeable realtors at the ready, we can help you find your dream house today! Contact the Erica Diaz Team as one of our realtors would be happy to show you some homes that fit your criteria.