What are the main advantages of solar energy?
The main advantages of solar energy include benefiting the environment and public health by reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, saving money on your monthly utility bill, and reducing reliance on the grid to enhance energy independence.
Other advantages include increasing the resale price of your home from solar panels and avoiding rising energy costs through your utility.
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels have an average life span of 25+ years. Depending on how well you take care of your panels with periodic maintenance, such as cleaning and inspections, they may last longer. However, solar panel efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year, which affects the amount of energy you can generate.
Can I oversize the system and sell back for a profit?
It depends on if your utility offers such a program—this is something our energy consultants can research for you.
Does my solar project come with a battery?
A solar battery is not included in a standard solar system, but is an add-on product that we offer. Off-grid or battery backup solutions are available and your energy consultant will be happy to go over those with you.
How is solar panel efficiency calculated?
A solar panel efficiency rating gives you a measure of how much sunlight a solar panel can convert into electricity.
Efficiency for different manufacturers and types of panels range from about 12% to over 20%. Freedom Solar is proud to only sell solar products that are amongst the highest in solar panel efficiency. For example, REC’s solar panels range in efficiency from 19% to 22%.
What are the advantages of solar energy?
Capturing sunlight and converting it to electricity is a clean, pollution-free, efficient, and affordable way to power your home or business, and it helps provide stability to the electric grid. It can increase your home value and lower your electric bills.
Best of all, going solar is more affordable than ever with tax credits, solar rebates, net metering programs, declining panel costs, and flexible financing options.
How much do solar panels cost?
At a very high level, we can tell you that most of our customers tend to finance their investment and can do so with no money out of pocket and a payment that is often below their energy savings from day one. For example, a 7 kW system can be as low as $100 per month. But this depends on the size of your system, where you live, and which type of panels you choose.
Our cash customers typically see a payback in 5-15 years, depending on additional rebates they may be eligible for, and an IRR that exceeds what the general stock market has historically returned over the last 70 years.
Our energy consultants will create a custom proposal for you that includes system size, design, costs, benefits, financing options, and the available federal, state and local incentives. We will walk you through the proposal during your appointment, which will take place at your home or online.