7 Things You Need to Know When Investing in Solar

When it comes to going solar, you may be lost in all the information and looking for a place to get started. Well, we’re just the place. In this article, we’ll highlight 7 key things you should know before investing in solar to get you prepared with the basics and ready to go research more with a better understanding of solar energy.

Getting Them Installed is Crucial to Do Sooner Rather than Later

One of the things many people are told about when choosing to go solar is the amazing tax credits and rebates they’ll receive when doing so. However, many of these are currently in the process of being phased out. The big one is the federal tax credit of 30%, but that huge 30% credit is only going to last until the last day of the year. After that, it will be steadily decreasing every year until being completely phased out by 2022. Make sure that if you want to take advantage of it, you install solar sooner rather than later.

Types of Solar Panels

Usually when people are talking about solar panels, they’re talking about photovoltaic panels, or PV panels as they’re commonly known. However, the other type of panel is solar thermal. These types of panels concentrate the sun’s heat into a collector and are great for heating up things like water. Though they aren’t very common, they’re actually more efficient.

South-facing Roofs Are Key

While it’s possible to get solar no matter which way your roof is facing, the best way to maximize the amount of energy you generate is by having a south-facing roof. You’ll also want to make sure that wherever you’re placing your panels, there is no shade covering the area.

Living South Means More Savings

Just like with where your roof is facing, the further south you are, the more you’ll be able to benefit from going solar. The further south you are increases the amount of sunlight you’ll receive in any given day. This means that while someone in Toronto will benefit from solar just like someone in Florida will, the person in Florida will be able to generate more energy and be able to store more in their batteries throughout the day.

Increase Your Home’s Value

While you might be worried a panel’s aesthetics will bring down the value of your home, the opposite is actually true. Installing solar automatically increases the value of your home. If you decide to sell it and you’ve only had the solar panels for a few years, you’ll be able to add a large amount to the asking price of your home, as the panels will already be installed for the next person to use them.

Solar Panels are Easy to Maintain

Despite popular belief, solar panels are actually extremely easy to maintain. They only need to be hosed down occasionally, with an eye kept on how much energy they’re actually generating to make sure nothing weird is going on with them. Even if they do start to malfunction, your installer will be able to take care of it. If you have a warranty, (which you should) the panels will be taken care of at no cost to you.

When it comes to choosing whether or not to go solar, there’s really no reason not to. Want more tips to make the transition even easier? Check out the HahaSmart blog!

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