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Solar Energy Is Here To Stay

19 May 2020

Harnessing the energy of the sun just makes sense

Solar energy is here to stay. Harnessing the energy of the sun just makes sense, especially here in Arizona, where free energy falls from the sky nearly all year round.

The world is a bit crazy these days. It's certainly tempting to dismiss going solar for concerns that seem more immediate. But it's worth remembering that offsetting utility bills is even more essential now that families are spending more time at home. What's more, turning your roof into its own generating station adds greater independence and peace of mind during times of crisis.

Rosie on the House Energy Independence

Energy Independence

Many people are finding that their energy bills are higher than ever before due to the COVID-19 stay at home mandate. The experience has convinced a lot of families to continue working and schooling at home, at least a portion of the week. Kyle Ritland, Vice President at Rosie on the House Certified Sun Valley Solar Solutions, points out that, "adding solar to your home is one way to gain energy independence. Depending on the size of the system, solar panels can generate enough to dramatically offset what you would otherwise purchase from your utility company. In fall and spring months, when neither air conditioners nor heaters are running, it is not uncommon to generate a surplus of solar energy which is then sent back to the utility for a credit. So, regardless of time of year, there's a tangible financial benefit."

Federal Tax Credits

There are still tax credits to help offset the cost of a new system. The 30% federal tax credit for going solar was established in 2006 and ran intact through 2019. In 2020 the rebate dropped to 26% as part of a multi-year ramp down. In 2021 the solar tax credit will reduce again to 22% before expiring completely in 2022. So, if you've been curious about going solar, buying sooner rather than later will allow you to benefit from this government incentive before it's gone

Considerations

Choose a Reputable Company | Modern solar panels are design to operate for many decades. As a result, your chosen solar installer will be an important partnership for many years to come. There are several things to watch out for to ensure that the company you select is a reliable one.
- Install & Service | Make sure that the company you buy solar from is the same company that will install it and service the system. Many solar sales companies simply hand your signed contract over to a third-party installer. There may be yet another company that handles the warranty. Your ideal solar partner should handle all three, and they should be well established with a respectable history. According to Kyle Ritland, among the most common inquiries for the Sun Valley Solar service department are solar customers whose original installer has gone out of business. "We call them abandoned solar customers, and we receive multiple calls every day from folks looking for help with everything from cleaning to repair."
- Check with the AZROC to make sure that the name on the installer's license matches the company you're buying from. Ask if your prospective solar partner operates their own service team, and how long they've been in business. Most panel warranties are good for up to 30 years, but most will operate at near-peak efficiency well beyond that timeframe.'
- Extra Incentives | Remember the old adage: "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!" | There are always companies who jump into an industry to take advantage of current market demands. Sometimes these sales organizations package their offerings as new state or utility incentives as an easy marketing ploy. Federal and Arizona incentives have been relatively set for many years. If they're positioning a new incentive, it may be more marketing fluff than reality.
Leasing vs. Purchasing | By purchasing a solar energy system – either through traditional financing or by paying cash - you gain access to both state and federal tax incentives. With a lease, these incentives go to the lease holder. Also, when you purchase a system it can move with you to a new home or be easily transferred, with the warranty, as part of a home sale. When leasing a solar system, a prospective home buyer must apply for and transfer the balance of your lease separately. Leases are great options for customers who do not have a tax burden, and plan to remain in their home indefinitely. If this isn't you, a purchase plan with a compelling financing package may be a better fit.
Start With a Sound Roof | Solar panels and the racks that support them require a good sound roof. A reputable solar company will do a thorough inspection and recommend any necessary repairs, or a roof replacement, prior to installing the system. This is especially critical because solar panels and racking need to be removed and re-installed at the owner's expense if a repair or re-roof is required down the road.

Configuring Solar For Your Home

It is common practice for solar companies to spend many hours at your home to customize a system before arriving at a purchase price. There are many factors to consider including the geographic orientation of the home, current utility usage and average monthly bills. This lengthy process can be daunting for homeowners who are still in the early stages of research.

Sun Valley Solar Solutions is offering a different approach to solar; one that arrives at an estimated price within minutes.

"We've installed nearly than 8000 systems in Arizona over the last 14 years, which gives us a unique understanding of where system size and maximum savings align for the majority of Arizona homes. We used this data to pre-engineer six, highly affordable packages that meet the needs of many Arizona homeowners. The best part is that pricing is readily visible. No hidden numbers, just honest, up-front pricing." - Sun Valley Solar Solutions

If you have ever considered solar energy for your home, now is a good time to investigate if it is a good fit for you. Homeowners working and schooling from home are concerned about higher energy bills. Choosing a reliable solar company to install a system at your home can take the burden of energy consumption off the grid and onto your roof!

Online Estimator Tool

Housed on the Sun Valley Solar Solution website is a tool that customers can use to calculate the ideal package for their home. The pre-engineered packages range in size from 3.84kw up to 14.08kW. Pricing is readily visible, ranging from $59.95 a month to $189.95 per month on a 20-year loan. The process of sizing is easy. Homeowners go through a short series of short questions. The calculator will suggest the ideal package based on their answers. There’s even an option to add a Tesla Powerwall battery. At that point, if a shopper wants to explore something more custom, Kyle says that’s still an option as well. “For us, it’s all about giving customers a choice, while being completely transparent and providing a baseline for those who are just beginning their research into solar. The pre-engineered sizing tool allows them to easily arrive at a real purchase price. They can opt to buy the system suggested by the tool, or if they choose to explore something.

Radio Interview

Kyle Ritland of Sun Valley Solar Solutions joined us in a recent broadcast to further explain their new calculator. You can listen to the interview in the podcast player below: