More and more people are choosing to go Solar these days. And you might also be thinking about it – about making a choice that will simultaneously save you money, ease the burden on your local utility companies, and do right by the environment. You can find a good list of the benefits of solar on the energy.gov website.
But how do you know if you’re a good candidate for going Solar?
Going Solar makes sense on a number of levels. But some people will benefit more from Solar than others. Here are five questions to guide you in the decision. If you answer “yes” to at least three of the questions, then going Solar is an excellent choice for you.
1.) Do you have a good southern exposure to sunlight?
This is an important one. If your home is nestled in a grove of tall trees located on the south side of your home, then it is more difficult for solar panels to do their job. Solar panels will benefit you best when they have a good line of sight to the sun. If you live in the northern hemisphere, the sun passes through the southern half of the sky. So, if you have good southern sun exposure that and isn’t blocked by tall trees, then solar is ideal for you. A single tree or two shading your roof at certain times of the day is still fine. It will only decrease the effectiveness of the panels by a moderate amount. But if your roof is constantly in shade, Solar is probably not for you.
2.) Is your monthly electric bill often higher than $150/month?
If you live in a small, north-facing condo, and your monthly electric bills are only $50-$75 per month, then Solar probably won’t save you much money. You may still decide to make the choice for environmental reasons. On the other hand, if you routinely spend over $150 to $200 (or more) per month on your electric bills, then Solar could be ideal for you.
3.) Do you run your air conditioner more than 4 months of the year?
We all know that running air conditioners is a major draw on electrical power. People who live in cool, dry climates may only run their air conditioners a few months of the year. However, people (like me) who live in the hot, humid South know exactly what it’s like to run their air conditioner on Thanksgiving Day – and sometimes even on New Year’s Day! The more months of the year you use your air conditioner, the more you will save from going Solar.
4.) Does your utility company offer “Net Metering”?
A number of states incentivize people to go Solar by offering “Net Metering”. This is a way utility companies provide credit to homeowners who generate more electricity than they use during portions of the day. In other words, on a sunny day a homeowner with Solar is likely to generate more electricity than they actually use. The surplus electricity is sent into the grid, and a credit is given for the surplus. This means that when you need to draw electricity from the grid, at night or on a rainy day, you first receive the credits generated from that surplus. This is a great way for people who go Solar to save even more money, since they receive free electricity from the grid for the amount of their surplus. States like Texas, Florida, and Utah are a few examples of places offering Net Metering for many of their cities and neighborhoods. Click on this link to see a map of states offering Net Metering.
5.) Does your power ever go out?
Going without power, even for a few hours, is a real headache. People living anywhere near the Gulf Coast usually have experienced going without power for days or even weeks at a time following hurricanes or other big storms. Other places in the country may be prone to tornados, flooding, freezing or high winds that knock out power. Having Solar with battery backup means you are better prepared for a natural disaster, because the sun keeps shining even when the local power goes out. A battery will store electricity from your solar panels and allow you to run your fans, lights and refrigerator even at night or on a rainy day – even when the grid is down.
So, how did you score?
If you only answered yes to a question or two, then it might take longer for you to see a ‘payout’ from your solar system. You may still decide to go Solar for other reasons, like doing your part for the environment, but your savings could be limited. However, if you answered yes to at least three of the questions, then you are an excellent candidate for going Solar!
If you would like to receive a free, customized, no-obligation presentation about how much money you can save from going Solar, just let us know! Plus, if you provide an address and a copy of a typical electric bill, we can generate a very customized presentation relating specifically to your home! Why wait? The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you start saving money!
