10 years ago, people would have rolled their eyes at you if you told them that you are going solar for your home’s energy source. Today, you’ll get applause for switching to the greener energy that only solar panels can provide. The societal shift has certainly made solar energy popular. Does that automatically mean it is the right choice for you? Before you get too far ahead in the process of going solar, you should consider some common pros and cons.
Key Advantages of Going Solar for Your Home
- Reliability: Solar power is not a new concept. It was introduced on an industrial scale back in the 50s, and it has been popular among homeowners since the 90s. You can always count on the sun being up in the sky, but you can rarely say for certain if your local power grid will be up or not any given day. Plus, solar panels can absorb sunlight and turn it into power in virtually any climate. Newer solar cell technologies are even highly efficient on overcast days.
- Affordability: Across the last three years, solar technology has become much more affordable, with prices dropping about 10%. In fact, it is often cheaper to install a solar system nowadays than it is to install a traditional electrical system. Not to mention, advancements in solar panel technologies have made them much more durable than they were decades ago, which means less repairs and upkeep costs.
- Getting off the grid: Depending on the solar panel system you install for your property, you may be able to get completely off the grid. No longer do you have to pay the prices that corporate electrical utilities set per wattage when you are making your own energy. There are even systems that supply excess and unused power back to the grid, giving you a kickback or tax rebate!
- Ecofriendly: Don’t forget that solar technology is green technology. By lessening your demand on traditional power sources, you shrink your carbon footprint. With climate change as fearsome as it is today, every little bit we do to help counts in a big way!
Potential Downsides of Solar Panels
- No nighttime energy: The power you get from your solar panel system is usually used right away. When the sunsets, you can’t get more power. This could be a problem if you are entirely off-grid but still do plenty around your home at night. However, the fix for this issue is getting a solar battery to store excess energy for use when the sun is not in the sky.
- Unusual design: It is hard to hide a solar panel. The big blue panels are very eye-catching and, to some people, they can be an eyesore. Once again, though, there is a solution: use SunPower Equinox™ technology that embraces a minimalist design and a powerful yet small inverter box, keeping much of the system out of sight.
- Limited space: Solar panels take up space on your property. Without a large yard or roof, you might not have anywhere to put your solar panels. Smart designs can find ways to add them to most any properties, but there will always be homes that simply cannot make space for them. At least, this will be the case until solar panel R&D teams come up with truly compact systems.
Still Thinking of Going Solar? Call (480) 462-6399
SunPower® by Arizona Solar Concepts can help you take that exciting leap into the world of home solar technology. Begin by scheduling your free solar evaluation, in which we discuss the pros and cons of solar in more detail while also providing a complimentary quote on initial installations. If you’re onboard, we will next work with you on designs that look great on your property before sending our trained solar experts to your home for rapid installation. Basically, we are your solar panel experts in Phoenix for all steps of the process!
Contact us onlineto get more information about why you should be solar.