5 compelling reasons more people are moving toward solar energy

5 compelling reasons more people are moving toward solar energy

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Here at KSL Local, we are determined to help you find the best in regards to local information, services, restaurants and much more.

This week we've teamed up with Solaroo Energy to give you five compelling reasons people are moving to solar energy.

1. Emergency power

From power outages to earthquakes to zombies, everyone at one time has probably thought, "what if the power went out for a long period of time?" Historically, solar provided few options for addressing the problem of emergency power. You either had to be off grid, or on grid. There was no in between.

Now, inverter technology has improved to leave grid tied customers emergency power outlets that are live when your panels are producing, and can be used to charge solar generators and other storage devices.

You can even install a full grid tied battery backup system that can run your house. These options allow people to save money by putting electricity back into the grid, and utilize their power generation in the case of emergency.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

2. Save money

Due to rising electricity prices in the last seven years, solar has become a cheaper power option in many utility territories, including in Utah.

There is a hefty upfront price tag associated with solar, but solar financing has diminished that obstacle for most people in the same way low mortgage rates helped many get into homes.

Kelly Curtis, Director of Operations for Solaroo Energy, a local SunEdison dealer, explained, "With the right financing, and depending on your roof, most people can have solar installed for no money out of pocket, and their payment is about equal to the money they save on their electric bill."

Curtis continued, "The difference is that electric prices will go up, your solar payment won't, and your solar payment you only have for seven to 12 years and then it's done. That makes sense to a lot of people. They end up saving tens of thousands over the life of the system."

There is also an advantage to fixing in your electricity payment so it can't rise with electric prices. Curtis mentioned, "We had a couple nearing retirement have the foresight to go solar just to avoid having an increasing electric bill when they would be on a fixed income."

Photo credit: Shutterstock

3. Rebates and incentives

Tax rebates and utility incentives also have helped many decide to go solar. The federal tax credit will pay for 30 percent of a qualifying solar system, and the state of Utah will chip in 25 percent, up to $2,000.

Rocky Mountain Power has a generous incentive of up to $1.15 per watt — if you are lucky enough to draw out the lottery based award. However, the incentives won't likely last forever, and that's enough to get a lot of people to buy. Click here for comprehensive information on rebates and incentives.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

"The current solar tax incentive at the federal level is set to step down from 30 percent to 10 percent at the end of 2016, which is helping a lot of customers make their decision. Currently, you can have half, even more than half of your solar system paid for. If you plan on staying in your house, it almost makes the decision a no-brainer," Curtis explains.

4. Warranty

Technology has come a long way in solar. Quality has improved to the point that systems are now warrantied out to 25 years. Panel degradation (how much the production capacity diminishes year to year) keeps improving and now is warrantied to under one percent year over year by many manufacturers.

"Warranties are very generous these days in solar. You just have to make sure the solar manufacturer is large, stable, and able to make good on their warranty years and years from now," Curtis notes.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

5. The Environment

Even though most people jump into solar for the financial benefit, helping the environment is still a good reason to go solar, and many who are conscious of the environment love solar and its benefits.

Curtis notes, "Some monitoring software lets you not only monitor your energy production, but it helps calculate the environmental impact of your solar decision, which tries to quantify that feel-good feeling you have when you go solar."

Photo credit: Shutterstock

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