For the most part, solar panel systems are “set it and forget it,” requiring very little (if any) maintenance over time – but what costs can you potentially encounter after installing your solar panel system? In this article, we’ll discuss four factors that could impact post-installation costs, and what you can do to avoid some of these costs from the get-go.
Continue reading
Community solar is an enticing option for those looking to take advantage of solar energy without installing a system on their own property. As with any energy choice, there are pros and cons to participating in a community solar program. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the primary benefits and potential downsides of community solar, as well as explaining how best to keep them in mind as you compare your options.
Continue reading
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe country’s best solar incentive, the federal investment tax credit (ITC), is in the process of winding down. 2019 is the last year you can claim the full 30 percent tax credit. Starting next year, the credit drops to 26 percent, to 22 percent in 2021, and disappears entirely for homeowners in 2022. This impending deadline has prospective solar shoppers rushing to take advantage of the maximum credit while they still can – but how can you make sure you’re eligible for the 30 percent credit?
Reading Time: 4 minutesOne of the most common misconceptions about solar is that people who install panels no longer receive an electricity bill from their utility company. This isn’t true in most cases: the majority of solar panel systems in the U.S. are grid-tied, allowing customers to draw electricity from the grid when their solar panels aren’t producing enough electricity.
Reading Time: 3 minutesThere are a number of factors to consider when choosing an installer, including experience, years in business, online reviews, licensing, and more. A lesser-known factor you may want to consider as you’re comparing one installer versus another is whether a solar company has received any manufacturer endorsements.
Reading Time: 3 minutesOne of the biggest hindrances to solar production is shade. So, before installing a solar energy installation, you want to make sure that any solar panels on your property receive as much sunlight as possible. If you live in close proximity to a neighbor whose trees or built structures have the potential to shade your property today or in the future, it’s a good idea to consider obtaining a solar easement.
Because the cost of solar continues to decline, one question we field a lot at EnergySage is whether you should wait to install solar panels. And for anyone asking that question in 2019, the answer is as soon as possible: given the looming step-down and expiration of the federal investment tax credit (ITC), solar shoppers who wait until 2020 or later to move forward will be missing out on major tax savings – but just how much?
Continue reading
Reading Time: 2 minutesDo you need to convince a naysayer about why they should go solar? Here are four videos you can pass on to inform friends about some of the important benefits of solar panel systems.
Reading Time: 5 minutesMission Solar is a U.S. based solar panel manufacturer headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Though newer to the market than other panel manufacturers, Mission Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular option with shoppers on the EnergySage Marketplace. Because they assemble solar panel modules in the U.S., Mission Solar modules are exempt from Trump’s solar tariff.
Reading Time: 5 minutesUpsolar is a global solar panel manufacturer, established in 2006. Though they started out in China, the company manufactures panels in a variety of regions, including the U.S., Europe, and Asia. In addition to manufacturing solar panel equipment, Upsolar also provides solar loans and develops large-scale solar projects.
privacy secured