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Solar energy is a booming market in Utah, according to statistics from the Solar Energy Industries Association. But is solar really all it’s cracked up to be? Find out how solar power is helping homeowners save on energy costs while employing thousands of residents. Read through the following items of facts and fiction to see how solar energy is good for the environment, good for the pocketbook and good for the economy.
Fact: Solar energy is renewable, sustainable energy
Solar energy is derived from the sun, which is considered a source of renewable energy. This means that although the sun is projected to die in about 5 billion years, it’s an infinite source of energy. The sustainability of solar energy is also a fact, as long as manufacturing byproducts are properly disposed of and the panels themselves are recycled.
“(Solar is) simple, produces no long-term emissions and uses very little natural resources when compared to coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants,” according to experts at the Understand Solar organization. “By properly recycling solar panels, we can save and reuse many of the metals and minerals that are incorporated into solar panels.”
Solar power generates power for heating and cooling homes and warming water, and it even energizes your body with vitamin D. It truly is a gift that has countless possibilities.
Fiction: Conserving energy saves more money than producing it
There are so many ways to save energy now, whether it’s through the use of LED lightbulbs, insulation or home automation and more, according to energy.gov. But without the ability to produce affordable energy, home energy conservation represents a drop in the proverbial bucket. And even if you put all that effort into conserving energy through the above-mentioned avenues, there’s still the very real problem of rising electricity costs nationwide.
No matter how high the cost of electricity gets, you’ll always be able to control it if you own your own solar production system. Thus, getting solar energy for your home remains the best way to protect yourself from the rising costs of grid power and to truly be self-sustainable.
Fiction: All solar panels are created equal
The defect rates and production of solar panels can differ significantly between manufacturers. Quality will always be battling cost. Most homeowners are always in search of a good deal, but a solar system is not the place to cut corners.
When properly manufactured, a solar system is a sophisticated product made to last and produce for 30 years or more, according to Solar Estimate. You get what you pay for, and this rule goes for warranties as well. After all, the best warranty is the one you never have to use. But if you do have to use it, you need a strong company to back it.
How can homeowners avoid being sold cheap and poorly made solar systems? A good first step is to do some general industry reading. After this exercise, you should be able to recognize the name of the manufacturer of your solar module.
Fiction: If solar energy rates rise, there’s no point in investing
Electric energy rates have increased every year for the last 26 years, as shown by Utah’s Public Utility Records. Subsequently, energy costs have risen and are going to continue to rise.
“Solar energy is an investment into the future," according to solar industry expert and Solaroo CEO Kelly Curtis. "Storage technology will drastically change in the next two to four years, allowing those who switch to solar now to be able to store energy for emergencies.
“(Future solar technology) also revolutionizes the way we interact with the grid entirely,” Curtis said.
Technology is always improving, and solar energy is no exception. If you’re looking for an answer to rising rates, put yourself in a position to have advancing solar technology in your grasp.
Fact: Tax credits will stay the same for 2019
The 30 percent federal tax credit, and the $1,600 state of Utah tax credit, will remain through 2019. By 2020, however, the federal tax credit is set to step down to 26 percent instead of 30 percent, so those who invest in a solar system now will save money in more ways than just utility bills.
There’s certainly a lot to be gained by investing in solar power for your home, perhaps in ways you haven’t even thought of yet. To find out how you can get more of your solar questions answered, visit Solaroo Energy today.
