It’s not surprising that people are asking, “What is going solar?” Solar energy has been a hot topic for the past few years. With the price of electricity and natural gas on the rise, solar panels have become more affordable and accessible than ever before. If you’re considering switching to solar power, below are some things about going solar that you may want to know.

What is going solar?

– Solar power has been around for decades but in recent years it’s become more cost-effective and efficient.

– It could be the best solution for your home if you have good access to sunlight, enough roof space, a way to store energy when not getting enough sun (batteries), or if you want lower monthly utility bills without making significant investments upfront.

More people are going solar than ever before because they know about the benefits that this technology offers. These include greater control over expenses; increased savings on electricity costs by producing renewable power at home; reduced greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels like coal that produce nearly 40% of America’s electric supply now; an awareness of how we can help the environment; and improved self-sufficiency.

In 2017 alone, over half a million homes added photovoltaic systems throughout the US for power production with around 116 thousand installed in California. This is due to declining costs and equipment efficiency as well as financial incentives offered by many states such as California which offers generous rebates on new installations.

If you have good access to sunlight, enough roof space, a way to store energy overnight, and the desire to have a more secure energy supply that will withstand droughts or hurricanes then going solar might be for you.

The cost of going solar can vary depending on the system size, location, and other factors but it is typically measured in dollars per watt installed which means that smaller systems will tend to have lower costs.

There are many new innovations coming down the pipe to make going solar even more affordable such as larger panels manufactured at low-costs by Panasonic for purchase or leasing by homeowners looking to go green with their energy supply. For instance, California’s current law now mandates 50% renewable energy by 2030 so installing home photovoltaic arrays may seem like an investment worth making given its rapid growth rate and the current and upcoming opportunities to cash in on government subsidies or tax credits.

Consequently, going solar may be a good option for homeowners who want to save money by reducing their utility bills as well as help lower emissions that cause climate change.

The only question is whether or not you have enough space outside your home for the installation of panels.

Going solar options

There are many different types of going solar options. One way to go solar is buying a home or commercial building with a pre-installed system, which can be an expensive upfront cost. But there’s also the option of purchasing panels from third-party vendors and installing them yourself on your property using licensed solar installers. You can check options at EnergySage which runs a marketplace of installers vying to offer you the best deal.

Another popular method of going solar in recent years has been leasing systems for homeowners who want renewable energy but not necessarily ownership of the entire installation process. These leases have lower monthly payments than outright purchases due to the lack of up-front costs associated with leasing agreements—the homeowner simply pays for their electricity usage at market rates and any excess power goes back into the grid as they continue paying their lease agreement each month. This type of going solar arrangement is a great option for those who want to go solar but don’t have the upfront capital or would prefer not to make an investment in their home.

If you own your property, it may be possible that going solar will save you money from what you’re currently being charged by your utility company every month. For example, if you are on a fixed-rate plan set at 15 cents per kWh over 20 years, you can save an average of $400 over the life of that contract.

The availability and cost-effectiveness vary depending on where you live—as federal subsidies are still available in some places, like California—but it’s important to note that even without this assistance there are ways homeowners can lower their initial costs by investing a little time into researching different financing options before deciding whether they should buy outright or lease from someone else. In most cases, leases range anywhere between 12 and 20 years with monthly payments based on how much electricity will be produced, which is usually what homeowners are looking for in any arrangement.

Benefits of going solar

The benefits of going solar include a variety of personal and environmental advantages:

– Solar panels produce no emissions or toxic waste when they operate and so do not contribute to the pollution that causes climate change.

– The installation process doesn’t require you to make an investment in your home, meaning it can be done without affecting your ability to take out loans or trade-up if needed later on—a consideration some people might have with other types of renewable energy options like wind power.

– It saves money by helping lower monthly electric bills while reducing the cost at the same time. There’s also typically a 30% federal tax credit available (the terms of which are subject to change).

– This type of energy helps the U.S. government meet its renewable energy targets, and is one way you can do your part for the environment by going solar!

How to get started with solar?

We will go over the main steps to going solar.

• Contact an installer in your area who can help with getting set up on the grid as well as installing panels (you should be able to find one through Google or by asking friends). You might also want to look into going off-grid so that power doesn’t rely solely on electricity providers’ grids nowadays – this gives you more control over when energy is generated and used, but it comes at a cost. Learn about all potential options and talk with someone before making a decision here.
• Contact your city or county to figure out what the zoning laws are for installing solar panels on your property.
• Find a contractor if you need help with installation, and sign an agreement that specifies how many days they will take before starting work so you have enough time to find financing if needed.
• If going off-grid: contact friends about their setup, ask them any questions you may have! You can also look into companies like Tesla who provide battery storage solutions that store excess power generated during peak hours in order to use it later when the sun is not shining as much (usually at night).
• The last step of going solar is taking care of maintenance while monitoring performance – regular cleanings will keep screens from reflecting light and reduce the need for maintenance.

EnergySage solar marketplace -compare and contrast solar options

• EnergySage is a free online marketplace that connects homeowners to the best local clean energy companies in their area so they can find the right solution for them—whether it’s going solar or not. Solar shoppers can compare quotes from different installers without ever contacting those companies directly, then select which company offers the most attractive offer through our quote comparison page. This saves both time and money by presenting an objective list of prices that are clear upfront with no hidden fees or charges related to warranties, labor costs, etc., as often seen with many other solar companies.
• The EnergySage Solar Marketplace is a one-stop destination on the internet for all of your go solar needs!
• This marketplace has been created by energy experts, so that way we know you’re getting access to accurate and reliable advice from informed professionals who have personal experience with going solar—so whether you’re just starting out or are looking into financing options, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
• If this sounds like something worth exploring even further, you can head over to their website to get started with going solar.