If you have ever talked to a solar company or met a solar sales representative, you’ve probably heard the phrase: NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO GO SOLAR. This simple phrase can draw initial curiosity from homeowners, but often times solar companies and their sales reps fail to back up their bold claim. Unfortunately, this phrase becomes cliche and homeowners miss out on opportunity to understand the benefits of installing solar at the right time. Here at Shop Renewable Energy, it is our primary goal to take care of our customers by helping them understand all the benefits of owning a solar system. In today’s post, we will explain why February, THIS MONTH, is the best time to decide to go solar!
Installed before SUMMER MONTHS
Because going solar is such a large investment, timing can make a huge impact on a homeowner’s overall satisfaction in owning a solar system. Of course, homeowners can decide to put solar on their roof whenever they want, but those who decide to go solar in the month of February see the most immediate results from their panels. Let me explain….. Solar Companies try their absolute best to have their customer’s path to solar be pain free and easy. Because of this, many customers don’t realize that their solar companies dedicate hundreds of hours to planning, designing, permitting, and installing for every single home going solar. This is why a typical customer’s solar journey, from deciding to having a fully functioning system, takes about 1 or 2 months. Thus, by deciding to go solar in February, the majority of customers will have their systems up and running by the month of April right before the sunny summer seasons.
Banking Electricity Credits through Net Metering:
As your system starts producing energy in the summer, you’ll notice that your electricity bills will get smaller and smaller. At some point in the summer months, your system likely produces more electricity than your house uses. That is where net metering comes in. Net metering is a two-way billing arrangement between utility companies and customers accounting for the two-way flow of electricity between the power grid and customer-owned power generators. When solar panel owners generate more electricity than they can use, the utilities companies will use that surplus power and give the homeowner an energy credit. These energy credits can be used during months or times when the solar panels do not produce enough energy to power the home. By going solar in February, homeowners can have low energy bills throughout the year, resulting in a more happy and positive solar experience.
Solar Tax Credits:
For the past several years, one of the greatest benefits of going solar has been the governments distribution of tax credits. Unfortunately, the government has begun to decrease the amount that new solar owners can receive each year. This year was the first cut from 30% to 26%, but in 2021 it will be decreased to 22% and in 2022 there will be no tax credit given out. That extra 4% can save homeowners more than a thousand dollars on a new solar system. If a homeowner were to wait until 2022 to go solar, they would be missing out on thousands of dollars in reimbursement. By going solar in February, homeowners that have a federal tax liability can easily apply, receive the tax credit, and avoid any chance at receiving a smaller reimbursement.
Rising Electricity Bills
It is no secret that electric bills are on the rise. Utilities companies will continue to drive up prices and homeowners will have no way to get around expensive electricity bills. Over the last 20 years the price of electricity has gone up by more than 60%. The U.S. Energy Information Agency projects that residential electricity prices will continue to rise by at least 1% a year over the next 5 years. So even if your electricity usage doesn’t increase, your bills are still going to end up being more expensive. Going solar is a great way to combat rising energy bills, because your panels produce energy independent of the price of electricity. If installed properly, your system can cover the majority of your bill throughout the year and create a surplus of energy during the summer.
February is the Month to Switch with Shop Renewable Energy
Now that you know that February is proven to be the best month to go Solar, there is no better time to team up with Shop Renewable Energy. We team up with the best Solar Companies in your neighborhood and help you find the best deal. Get connected with a solar company today by clicking this link and filling out your information. Don’t forget to tune in next week for our next SOLAR POST!