Solar Energy Savings and Estimates

The United States consumes about 17% of the world’s energy. With a growing interest in renewable energy, it’s no secret that solar panels are a great addition to your home’s energy plan.

Solar panels are known to be a growing energy source that help to reduce harmful greenhouse emissions. Solar energy savings also help alleviate expensive electric bills each month.

Read on to see just how investing in solar panels will help you save in the long run.

Estimating Your Monthly Costs

You might be wondering just how much money solar panels can really save you each month. The answer depends entirely on your specific electricity needs, and how much you use each month.

The first step to determining how much you’ll save is to calculate your current spendings. This will help estimate how much solar energy can reduce your bill.

You may also want to take note of your area’s current electricity rates. Some areas have fluctuating energy costs, but it’s clear that energy rates across the country are rising.

With solar energy, you’ll be getting consistent energy and eliminating wavering costs every year.

It’s important to know that installing solar panels does not always make your entire energy bill go away.

Impact On Your Energy Bill

If you’re fortunate enough to be located in an area that receives plenty of sun, chances are you will be able to generate enough energy to cancel out your bill.

However, you may still receive an energy bill for any electricity used during a time when your panels were not receiving enough sun.

Days that are overcast might result in pulling some power from the grid. The night time is usually when people pull the most energy.

But a recently introduced policy called net metering allows you to conserve unused solar energy for later use. Any surplus solar energy is sent back into the grid and credit is sent to your account in return.

Tax Incentives

Though the bulk of your costs will be upfront with the installation of solar panels, there are different ways to cut down the costs. Installation rates depend on a few factors.

Evaluating your home’s location and roof status is the first step to determining how many panels you’ll need. A solar panel calculator can help determine how much direct sunlight your desired installation area provides.

Many states will offer tax incentives, so researching your local area’s policies is key to saving more.

You’ll want to research which solar company works best in your area. You’ll also want to choose a solar company that can help cut down installation fees as well as guide you in the permitting process.