Homeowners have many reasons why they want to go solar, reducing energy costs and helping the environment being two of them. When considering solar power, homeowners often like the fact that they can reduce their carbon footprint while also increasing their property value.

There are both pros and cons to solar energy. But the solar pros, in most cases, outweigh the solar cons. Most of the pros include environmental benefits as well as a reduced electrical bill. Below is a list of the top pros of solar energy:

1. Renewable energy.

A pro of solar energy is that since it is a renewable energy source, we cannot run out of solar energy, which is solar pro because we can run out of fossil fuels.

2. Reduce or completely eliminate your electric bill

Regardless if you are a homeowner, business or nonprofit, a large part of your monthly expenses could be your electricity bills. A solar pro is solar systems generate ‘free power’ for the entirety of the solar panels 25 year lifetime. Even though your panels won’t produce 100% of the energy that is consumer every day, solar panels will still save you a lot of money.

3. Environmentally Friendly

What a lot of homeowners consider to be the biggest pro about solar energy, is that the process of harnessing solar energy doesn’t cause pollution. There are emissions that come with manufacturing, transporting and installing the solar panels. But those emissions are nothing in comparison to those which are emitted with the more conventional energy sources.  

4. Earn a return on your solar investment

Many people view solar panels as an expense when they should be viewed as an investment. Solar panels are an investment that offer returns that rival investments such as, stocks and bonds. This solar pro offers its investment return through savings and eventually possibly eliminating your electrical bill. On average the American homeowner who switches to solar, will pay off their solar system in seven to right years and will see a return of investment of 20 percent or more.

5. Protects you against rising energy costs

What is probably the most obvious solar energy pro is it protects you from the rise of utility costs. Over the past ten years, residential electricity prices have, on average, gone up by three percent annually. When investing in a solar system, you can make sure that your electricity rate is fixed and protect yourself against electrical cost increases that aren’t predicted. If you are in a situation where your cash flow varies, going solar helps you manage your expenses.

6. Increase your property value

There have been multiple cases where homes that have solar power systems have a higher property value and sell faster than homes without them. Appraisers are taking solar installations into considerations when they are evaluating the value of the home. This solar energy pro is a good incentive for homeowners to become more educated about solar power while considering installing solar panels or buying a house with solar panels.

7. Boost United States energy independence.

The sun is a an energy source that isn’t going to stop producing energy anytime soon. Because the sun has an almost infinite source of energy, it makes it possible for this solar pro to help the United States achieve energy independence and protect itself from being a victim to rising energy costs.   

8. Helps local economy

Another pro about solar energy is it helps your local economy by creating jobs. It was reported that the solar industry added jobs at a rate nearly 12 times faster than the Unite States economy in 2015, representing a 1.2 percent of all jobs in the country. The industry is only expected to grow, likewise the jobs that it creates will continue to grow as well.

9. Protects the environment

This is what many people consider to be one of the most important pro of solar panels. By switching over to solar you are reducing your carbon footprint. In the United States buildings are responsible for 38 percent of all carbon emissions. A regular solar system will eliminate three to four tons pf carbon emissions per year,   that’s the equivalent to planting over 100 trees.

10. Commitment to sustainability

Corporate social responsibility and sustainability are very important values to an organizations culture and values. There are also what are responsible for producing results. Consumers and communities are noticing and rewarding business that choose to operate responsibly. Businesses are finding that ‘green’ credentials are a solar energy pro because it is driving consumers purchasing decisions.

11. Increases employee morale.

Like many consumers, a lot of employees have expressed their appreciation for their employers’ commitment to operate responsibly. Employees are sharing in the success and contributions of their organizations. It is found that companies care about their environment there is usually less of a turnover rate and the employees are more involved in their work. This is another solar pro because it keeps people employed thus reduces the unemployment rate