Solar Energy

What are the benefits of solar panel installation?

Many homeowners are taking proactive steps to reduce the carbon footprint of their homes. The primary goal is to improve the energy efficiency of their home. The less energy we use, the fewer emissions we release, and the better it is for the environment. Green homes don’t just help the environment, they also help your wallet.

One technology that has made huge advances in recent years is Solar Power. Improved performance and lower costs make solar panels a popular choice for residential installation. From the San Francisco Bay Area, greater Los Angeles to New Jersey, and New York, everyone can benefit from solar panel installation. Start saving on your power bills and use nature to power your home.

Top Energy Solutions can design a solar package to suit your home and budget. We can install Solar Panels on most homes as long as you have access to the electric grid.

Residential Solar power has many exciting benefits:

Solar saves you money:

Using solar power generated by your home means you use less power from your utility provider. Not only will you save on the total amount of energy you use but you will also save money by avoiding some of the variable electricity rates. Now is the perfect time to install your system as energy costs are only going to increase in the future. Invest today and save in the future.

It’s well-known that solar power is an environmentally friendly energy option. Solar panels generate renewable energy using the power of the sun. It is clean, emission-free energy. Investing in solar panels today will reduce your home’s dependence on fossil fuel.

Solar power gives you control:

Solar panels, especially when installed with storage batteries, allow you to use your energy when you need it. You are not at the mercy of large utility companies and don’t need to rely on power coming from out of town or across the country.

Solar is a steady, reliable source:

Solar power is the most reliable residential renewable energy source. Wind power is an effective renewable source but requires a large open space for maximum power generation. Wind power works well on a large scale but is not a reliable energy source for residential homes, especially in an urban environment. Hydro turbines are also not suited to urban environments because there needs to be a constant source of moving water. However, the sun is perfect for urban and rural homes. There is no noise generation and modern solar panels can efficiently generate power even on cloudy days.

Add value to your property with solar:

Solar panels can make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Increased cost savings and energy independence are desirables options. Studies show that solar panels can add 3-4% to the sale price of a home when compared to other local properties. If you are considering selling your home in the future, then consider adding solar panels. The sooner you install solar, the larger your potential return on investment.

Tax Credits for Solar:

Right now, Federal Solar tax credit (ITC) allows you to deduct 26% of the cost of your solar installation installing from your federal taxes. This is effectively a 26% discount on installing solar power. The government may change this tax credit in the future and are planning to withdraw it completely in 2022. The ITC has already dropped it from 30% in 2019. Don’t miss out altogether. You should install your solar system while you can still save.

How does the Solar Federal Tax Credit (ITC) Work?

The Solar Federal tax credit or investment tax credit (ITC), will credit you 26% of your solar installation costs on your federal tax returns. This equates to a 26% discount on your solar costs. You can only enjoy this discount if you purchase your solar system. If you sign a power purchase agreement (PPA) or lease your solar panel system, you will not be eligible to claim the ITC.

Although the amount you can claim back under the ITC is not capped, you are restricted by the amount you owe in federal tax. The ITC is a credit, not a refund. This means you can’t receive a credit that is worth more than the amount you owe in tax. Don’t panic, you can still claim the full amount. If you are entitled to credit that is greater than your tax bill, the credit will roll over to the following year.

As mentioned earlier, the ITC will be withdrawn in 2022. Don’t put off purchasing your solar system. The clock is ticking and come 2022 solar panels will be 26% more expensive!

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels have evolved since they were first introduced. Today’s solar panels are thinner, lighter, and more efficient but how do they work?

Power:

The sun is the power source for solar panels. When sunlight hits the panel surface photons cause a reaction that produces electricity. Every solar panel contains hundreds of photovoltaic cells. These cells have layers of metals and semiconducting materials. When the photons hit the cells, the interaction causes electrons to be freed from the semiconducting materials. This process generates direct current (DC) electricity. The greater the number of panels you install, the greater the number of cells, and the greater the amount of DC you will generate. We always recommend you install the largest system for your budget to get the best return on your investment.

Inverter:

Although Solar panels generate DC, this form of energy can’t be used by your home. You need an inverter to convert the energy from DC to alternating current (AC).

Electric Box:

Once the DC is converted to AC by the inverter, it travels to your breaker box. Your breaker regulates the flow of electricity into your home protecting it from a surge.

Surplus power:

Solar panels work whenever there is sunlight. This means they continue to generate power even when you don’t need it, creating a surplus. Homes that have net metering can send their surplus power back to the grid. For any power returned to the grid you will receive a credit towards your future energy bill. Now you are only paying for the grid power you use, and the energy company is paying you for the excess power you generate.

Our trained consultants will assess your property to design the best system for your home. They will factor in the roof size, home orientation, and the energy demands of your home. As a result, you will get the most effective and affordable system for your needs.

Installing solar panels is a big job but our experienced installers make it look easy. To install solar panels we attached metal rails to your roof, run the necessary cabling, and then secure the panels to the rails. Installation usually takes a full day depending on the number of panels. Once the job is complete, we perform a site clean up and leave your home and yard as clean as when we arrived.