Key Questions and Answers About Going Solar. Installing solar panels can lower your electricity costs, reduce your tax bill, and offer healthy future returns. But there''s a lot to consider
A look at how today''s residential solar systems generate enough power to meet all or most of a household''s electricity needs. 1. The Grid. Homes with solar power remain connected to the grid
Sunlux, Project Solar and Freedom Solar Power are the top solar companies, based on customer reviews, equipment options, warranties and other factors.
The steep up-front costs for a residential solar system can make a leasing company''s sales pitch sound pretty appealing: Pay little or nothing and save hundreds of dollars per year on average.
Solar panels can reduce your monthly electric bills significantly. And as prices for rooftop solar continue to plummet, more and more Americans are considering adding solar panels on their...
Under a bright June sky in 1979, at the height of the nation''s energy crisis, President Jimmy Carter stood on the roof of the White House to dedicate solar panels installed there to heat water for the staff kitchen. That powerful gesture, which gave America a taste of its clean-energy future, was as symbolic as it was historic: At the time, converting a typical American house to solar power was extremely rare and cost roughly half as much as the house itself.
A lot has changed in the intervening 37 years: Solar costs have dropped so much that today it''s possible to generate all or most of a home''s electricity—for decades to come—for about the purchase price of a new economy car. Solar installations have increased dramatically. And President Obama has installed new panels on the White House roof.
•Energy Efficiency Guide•The Real Cost of Leasing vs. Buying Solar Panels•How Utilities Are Fighting Back on Solar Power•Better-Looking Solar Solutions on the Horizon
There has probably never been a better time to switch to solar. Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have regulations that are solar-friendly enough (and electricity rates high enough) to make residential solar financially attractive (see map below), and last December Congress extended through 2021 the generous federal tax credits on solar projects that had been set to expire at the end of this year. Residential solar installations increased almost 60 percent between 2014 and 2015, and in 2015 America averaged one new residential solar installation about every 100 seconds.
Those who want to wait on the sidelines for further price reductions could be disappointed: The cost of solar panels has started to plateau and, while installation labor and other soft costs continue to fall, the phasing out of state tax incentives and utility rebates and grants has largely offset those savings. Adding an element of urgency to the equation are proposals in a number of states that would radically shrink the utility-bill savings of switching to solar power (see "How Utilities Are Fighting Back on Solar Power"). Because, generally speaking, existing solar customers haven''t been subject to those changes, getting your deal done before new regulations are implemented could save you hundreds of dollars each year.
Though going solar has never been easier or more affordable, the process is not without its potential pitfalls. For instance, most homeowners who switch to solar power are pocketing just a fraction of what they could be saving because they choose to lease their panels rather than to buy them (see "The Real Cost of Leasing vs. Buying").
Determining whether solar is a smart move involves more than checking out how much sun your roof gets each day. You also need to consider the cost of electricity in your area and any local tax incentives. The "instant estimate" toolat the EnergySage website uses aerial photos of your house to analyze your roof and taps into databases to predict whether solar would save you money—and about how much. The site, which received funding from the Department of Energy, also provides installation quotes from local installers. Other steps you''ll need to take:
Choose an InstallerWhether you find installers through EnergySage or through referrals from friends and neighbors, always check references, ask to see current job sites, and find out how long the company has been in business (a long tenure suggests both experience and the likelihood that the installer will be around in the years to come to stand behind its work). Look for companies that employ installers certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Understand Your Incentive OptionsUncle Sam will give you a 30 percent credit for the cost of a solar system installed through 2019, scaling down to 26 percent and then 22 percent through 2021. Along with the federal tax credit, you may be eligible for low-interest financing and state and local subsidies for solar costs that can total hundreds of dollars per year (unless you''re leasing, in which case all incentives and tax credits go to the solar company).
Reconnoiter Your RoofSolar panels can go on any type of roof—from Spanish tile to standing-seam metal, and from wood shakes to asphalt three-tab shingles. Just make sure your installer has experience with whatever roofing you have and will warranty the roof after the job is done (your original roofing warranty will probably be voided by penetrations required for the job). If your roof is likely to need replacing before the warranty of the solar panels ends, plan on spending a couple of thousand dollars at that time to have the panels removed, stored during the project, and reinstalled. If your roof has only five or so years left, consider replacing it before the panels are installed.
Weigh the WarrantiesSolar panel failures are extremely rare, says Joshua Pearce, an engineering professor and solar expert at the Michigan Tech Open Sustainability Technology Lab, who generates 100 percent of his electrical needs on his garage roof. Panel warranties typically range from 10 to 12 years for product defects, which is plenty of time for a rare faulty panel to reveal itself. Pay more attention to the panels'' solar-performance warranty, which guarantees a certain power output for a 20- to 30-year term. (A longer warranty term is better, as is a higher guaranteed output.) "The panel really shouldn''t lose more than ¼ percent to ½ percent in power output per year," Pearce says.
Even more important is the inverter warranty. Some companies will use a single "string" inverter, generally warrantied for 5 to 15 years. Others use "micro" inverters, with one attached to each panel, which are generally warrantied for 25 years but are more costly up front. "Just compare the costs after factoring in $1,000 to $3,000 to replace the string inverter, and go with the more affordable one," Pearce suggests.
Know "Watts" ImportantSales reps may boast about "smart" systems, for example, to convince you that their proposal is better than the other guys''. "Ignore the pitch; just go for the lowest cost per watt you can get," Pearce says.
A look at how today''s residential solar systems generate enough power to meet all or most of a household''s electricity needs.
Editor''s Note:This article also appeared in the August 2016 issue ofConsumer Reportsmagazine.
Consumer Reports is an independent nonprofit organization that works for a fair, safe and transparent marketplace.
Since we were founded as Consumers Union in 1936, we have advocated for the rights of all consumers. Now, we are united under the Consumer Reports name, bringing together our trusted testing, research, journalism, and advocacy.
For 85 years CR has worked for laws and policies that put consumers first. Learn more about CR''s work with policymakers, companies, and consumers to help build a fair and just marketplace at TrustCR
Is it possible to save up power to use at night or on rainy, overcast, days—or during a power outage?
My area is prone to storms. Can hail and lightning damage solar panels?
Aren''t solar systems crazy expensive?
I can''t afford to purchase a system. Is leasing cheaper?
About Consumer reports on solar companies
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Consumer reports on solar companies have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Consumer reports on solar companies for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Consumer reports on solar companies featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
