5 Helpful Tips for Going Solar in 2019

Are you thinking about switching your home to solar energy? Be sure to check out these helpful tips for going solar.

You may not have realized it, but 7% of your household income may be going towards your energy bills alone.

That’s a lot of money that you spend to simply power up your home! But there are even some households that rely so much on electricity that they allocate a fifth of their income for it.

Regardless of which group you belong in, the heart of the matter is that electricity is expensive. That’s why it’s high time you consider going solar.

By harnessing the power of the sun, you may be able to say goodbye to pricey fossil fuel-sourced energy. But even if you can only use, say 80% solar power, considerable savings still await you.

Ready to jump on the solar bandwagon? Then be sure to use these tips to make the most out of your investment!

1. Factor in the Size of the System You Can Afford

One of the firsts steps on how to go solar is to determine how big of a system you can install at home. Keep in mind that system size will determine how much solar power you can use, and therefore, how much you can save.

For one, because the size of the system determines how much energy it can supply you with. So, begin by considering your monthly electricity consumption.

The specific type of solar panels you’ll get also affects the size of the system. For example, monocrystalline solar cells take the least amount of space. They’re cut from pure silicon which lets them generate the most power.

That’s why many consider monocrystalline panels as the best solar panels. They are, however, the most expensive kind at the moment.

In this case, a good alternative is polycrystalline, which costs less than monocrystalline. They do need more space though and are less efficient than those cut from pure silicon crystals.

If you have a lot of space but have a restricted budget, consider thin-film solar panels. These are the cheapest of the three but are also the least efficient. That’s why the system requires more panels spread out over a space so it can generate enough solar power.

2. Take Advantage of the Solar Investment Tax Credit 

With the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), you can enjoy a 30% tax credit for a home solar system. Take note that this incentive runs only until this 2019 though. Come 2020, the credit will drop to 26%, then 22% in 2021.

The program will stop by 2022 for residential consumers. For commercial facilities, they will still get a 10% tax credit if they install a system during that year.

As you can see, the sooner you go solar, the bigger your tax incentives will be. This also means you’ll see your household energy costs go down sooner!

There are, of course, construction requirements you need to meet to qualify for the ITC. There are two ways to do this: Through the “Physical Work Test” or through the “Five Percent Safe Harbor Test”.

Under the Physical Work Test, you need to prove you’ve begun a “significant” amount of physical work. This can refer to having the system’s components manufactured or starting its “construction”. It also covers the installation of the mounting equipment or other structures.

As for the second test, this requires you to pay at least 5% (or more) of the system’s total cost. You also need to “make continuous efforts” to complete the entire system installation.

3. Explore Your Funding and Financing Options

Consider that from 2010 to 2018, solar PV costs have gone down a considerable 73%. What’s more, experts say this will be a sustained trend in the years to come. That said, it’s likely that your costs will be even lower this year than a few years ago.

Still, solar panel system installations in the U.S. aren’t cheap, costing an average of $23,259. The good news is, that average doesn’t cover the 30% ITC yet. With the incentive, you may have enough to afford to buy the panels with your own savings.

If not, your other option is to take out a solar loan, which can help trim your up-front costs. With this, you pay back the loan on a monthly basis, in lieu of your electricity bills. Loan payments, however, are still often lower than the average electricity bill.

4. Maximize the Savings of Going Solar with Energy Star Appliances

As is, Energy Star appliances can already save you hundreds of dollars. An Energy Star fridge, for instance, can already save you a whopping $300 within 5 years. You can save even more if you replace your old dishwasher, freezer, clothes dryer, etc.

What’s even better is that these appliances complement solar power systems. If you run them on solar energy, they’ll need even less power to operate.

5. You Can Also Choose to Start Small

Solar generators also use solar panels (albeit smaller) to capture the sun’s photons. These photons then charge the battery contained in the solar generator. From there, an inverter transforms the power to AC (alternating current) electricity.

With the power converted to AC, you can now use it to power almost anything that normal electricity can. Yes, that includes your home appliances, mobile devices, and even industrial tools. In case there’s a (regular) power outage, you can use the generator to keep your fridge running.

Speaking of blackouts, did you know that in 2017, the U.S. experienced 3,526 power outages in total? That should be a good enough reason for you to invest in a sun-powered generator.

Besides, solar generators are small enough that you can take it with you, say to a camping expedition! This portability, savings, and emergency uses make them a good first step on how to go solar.

Go Green, Go Solar

Going solar is no longer a luxury that only the wealthy can afford. And by following these tips, you can lower the up-front costs of installing a solar power system at home!

Keep in mind that the technology behind solar energy can be complex for the average Joe or Jane though. So, it’s best to partner up with a licensed installer for your solar panel system needs.

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