Talk of solar energy seems to be everywhere you turn these days, especially in our particularly sunny state. As it turns out, Colorado is one of the few states with ideal conditions for installing working solar panels. Despite suspicious cold callers and blast email campaigns that may have turned you off in the past, installing solar panels could actually benefit you and your home in a myriad of ways.
That being said, this method of generating your own electricity doesn’t come without drawbacks and isn’t necessarily an option for everyone. There are certain requirements a home must meet, which we’ll cover a bit further down.
If your home is a contender for solar energy, however, you could find yourself saving money on energy, increasing the value of your home, and helping the environment should you choose to install solar panels. Colorado specifically offers solar energy incentives that can assist you with the cost of installation.
If you’re interested in generating your own solar energy or you just want to know what all of the fuss is about, keep reading for the hard facts.
The Upsides
We’ll start by serving you the benefits of solar energy sunny-side up. These are the ways that solar energy can make your life better, as well as the life of our poor, struggling earth.
Lower Energy Bills
This is the most common point of argument for installing solar energy panels, and for good reason. If your electricity bill is costing you a fortune, solar energy can either drastically reduce or completely eliminate that cost.
This is due to the fact that when you install solar panels, you’re essentially generating your own energy. Solar panels will last for 20 to 35 years, making it a long-term investment in cutting your energy costs. Many solar companies offer free quotes so you can determine just how much you’ll be saving over the next 20 years.
Help the Planet
You can become an active part of the movement away from dependence on fossil fuels when you install solar energy panels. Not only can you be a leader in this sense, but you’ll also be helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
You might be wondering how the use of solar energy actually works to benefits the world around you. SolarCity provides some insight on this topic, stating “Traditional electricity is sourced from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. When fossil fuels are burned to produce electricity, they emit harmful gases that are the primary cause of air pollution and global warming.” However, when you utilize solar panels, you’ll be harnessing clean, pure energy from the sun and leaving the old ways behind.
Reap Energy Incentive Benefits
Colorado offers quite a few different rebates and incentives for people who install solar energy panels on their property. In fact, Colorado offers more of these solar incentives than most other states in the nation.
First off, different organizations offer attractive rebates to help offset the cost of installation. Two of these organizations are EnergySmart Colorado and Holy Cross Energy. While EnergySmart Colorado offers up to a $3,000 rebate for installation, Holy Cross Energy works on a per-kilowatt system and can help homeowners save up to $4,500 on installation.
There are also tempting tax breaks offered to Colorado residents who utilize solar energy. A recent exemption outlines that the state sales tax does not apply to the installation of solar panels. Additionally, when the value of your home increases (and it will), you won’t have to pay taxes on the increased value.
The Downsides
In a perfect world, solar energy would have already wiped out the use of fossil fuels in our nation. However, there are certain criteria a home must meet for the owner to consider installation. Also, other factors that may indicate that solar energy isn’t right for you and your home.
Installation Can Be Costly
There’s a lot of chatter going around about how much homeowners need to pay out-of-pocket for installing solar panels. The straight answer? Well, it depends on how you’re utilizing incentives, tax breaks, and solar loans.
If for any reason you don’t qualify for the solar installation aid available in Colorado or your state, the upfront cost of installing solar panels can be intimidating. However, if you’re determined, exhaust the resources available and you should be able to find a financial plan that suits you.
Solar Panels Don’t Work with Every Kind of Home
When you install solar panels, they’ll go on your roof and absorb as much of the sun’s energy as possible. However, if your roof is constructed from certain materials such as slate or cedar tiles, it may be too difficult for the contractors to work with. Additionally, skylights and other roof fixtures can present difficulties when it comes to installation.
Luckily, the roof isn’t necessarily your only option for solar panel placement. Ground-mounted solar panels are one way that many get around this roadblock.
Will You Actually Save?
There are a few conditions under which you might not save all that much money which may make the cost of installation more than it’s worth. One aspect to consider is how much energy is actually costing you. If you’re not paying that much for electricity, than solar panels won’t provide you much relief when you do your monthly bills.
Also, consider how long you want to stay at your current residence for. If you’re looking to sell your house soon, then you won’t reap the long-term benefits that come with using solar panels. The solar panels will increase the value of your home, however, so it may still be something to consider.
Conclusion
At this time, Colorado is one of the best places in the nation for solar energy. If you think you might be ready to make the switch, research reputable solar panel companies near you. If you’d like more information about our properties and what we think about solar energy, don’t hesitate to contact us.
