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Real Price of Free Solar

How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

By Solar Panel Maintenance : Everything You Need to Know No Comments

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In 2017, solar panels are now thinner, sleeker, durable, and made to last decades. Your new solar panel energy system will continue to produce electricity for 25 to 35 years. 2017’s remarkable renewable energy source withstands hard rainfall, heavy snow, pounding hail, and high-velocity winds.

Top Industry Suppliers Contribute To How Long Solar Panels Last

The solar energy industry standard of performance guarantees that panel systems will not degrade (degradation caused by years of sun exposure). This equates to more than 0.7 percent over a 25-year period. What does this mean? In 2042, the solar energy system you installed in your home in 2017 will be at an 82.5 percent production rate.

This is the standard warranty extended by America’s top solar energy providers.

Solar Panel Maintenance

When it comes to solar panel upkeep; the required maintenance is extremely minimal. According to a Google case study, rain runoff tends to sufficiently wash tilted panels but flat panels don’t have that incline so these need to be washed off to keep the efficiency high.

Regardless of the type of panel, we recommend you hose-wash your panels every 3 months (you can do this from the ground, no need to climb up on your roof!). Most solar panel systems will repay owners for their original cost within the first ten years of electricity production.

Solar panel energy purchasers see a fast-paced return on their financial investment through:

  • Lower monthly utility bills – immediately after installation and in the future.
  • 30 percent Federal income tax credit (30% of solar panel system cost).
  • State rebates and solar incentives.

Estimated Solar Panel Maintenance Costs

Your next anticipated question likely addresses the estimated maintenance or replacement costs of a solar energy system. Some component parts of every solar energy system on the market will have to be replaced at some point in time during the life of the product.

Although the solar panels will not likely need to be replaced for decades to come – the system’s inverter component may need to be replaced within the next 10 to 15 years.

An inverter converts the DC from the panels into AC for feeding into your home’s outlets and the local utility’s power grid. Inverters will fail and need to be replaced for the system to continue electricity production.

Today’s recent innovation of micro-inverters are estimated to have an increased lifespan over the conventional inverters for up to 25 years or longer. The cost of replacing one or more micro-inverters will not delay or reduce your return on investment for solar electricity substantially over the next several decades.

So, therefore, maintenance costs for your solar panels will be much smaller than the lifetime savings you will accrue when you go solar.

Where To Find Solar Panel Installers

Solar.com is here to help find you the most trusted solar panel installers at the most affordable rates. We will gather the 3 top bids from the area’s premier solar installers. The best part? All fees for this remarkable consumer service are paid for by our solar installers.

Easily compare solar panel installers to find the best deal on your upcoming project. When solar companies compete – you save, see how much you can save with Solar.com, here!

 

buy or lease solar panels

Buying Solar Panels vs. Leasing Solar Panels

By Buy Solar Panels No Comments

Buying solar panels is your best bet in today’s energy market. We will discuss the pros and cons in this article, but first, we must address one fact. The ONLY way to receive a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of your solar energy system is if you BUY your panels.

Leasing solar panels from a solar provider merely give you benefits as a renter of the energy system. If you don’t buy, the company you lease from remains the owner of the solar panel system and, therefore, receives the long term financial benefits. As a lessee, you are a mere user of your solar energy system.

If you do buy, you become the owner of your home’s main power source.

Leasing Solar Panels is Trending Down in the Market

Your decision to lease or buy will depend on your long term financial goals as a homeowner. Solar investors are finding more financial benefits in favor of ownership through:

  • Cash up front
  • Secured loans
  • Unsecured loans

The Pros of Buying Solar Panels

To receive the greatest cash return on your solar panel investment, an outright purchase is your best option.view-solar-panel-homes.jpg

  • Investing in solar through a purchase gives you the potential for massive lifetime returns
  • Claim a 30 percent Federal income tax credit on the cost of your system
  • Claim a solar renewable energy rebate or incentive offered by your State (where available)
  • Deduct interest paid on your secured loan in your future tax returns
  • Receive all financial incentives as the owner of your solar panel system
  • Increase the market value of your home through solar panel ownership
  • Realize a faster and easier sale of your home when you’re ready to put it on the market

The Cons of Buying Solar Panels

The only real con of buying solar panels is the required upfront costs. However, although an outright solar panel purchase requires a substantial amount of out-of-pocket cash, you do have the option of financing through a zero-down loan.

The Pros and Cons of Leasing Solar Panels

The obvious pros of leasing panels are (1) you will be able to realize immediate savings on your monthly utility costs by choosing a solar panel leasing option and (2) lease payments for your solar system will be lower than your monthly utility costs after installation.

Cons? There are plenty:

  • You can’t claim the 30 percent Federal income tax credit available with a purchase
  • No interest deductions on your future income tax returns
  • Solar leases require you to be contractually bound to making monthly payments throughout the entire rental term – 20 to 25 years – with minimal monetary gains when the lease is up.
  • No increase to the market value of your home
  • You are overpaying for a solar panel system over time versus the value you receive from outright purchase
  • Difficulty in transitioning ownership of panels through the sale of the home resulting in delayed or disrupted offers to purchase

Our Recommendation – Buy Your Solar Panels

Buy. Buy. Buy. – is the recommendation of the solar energy experts at Solar.com. Buying solar panels is the preferred method of acquiring a system for your home. Recent market studies have shown a precipitous drop in the price of solar panels for both homeowners and small businesses.

Solar panel energy investors in 2017 are expected to increasingly choose to buy their systems over the leasing option. Buying realizes the complete financial and environmental benefits offered through solar energy.

The time period for a homeowner’s return on investment for a solar system is estimated to be 5-7 years, depending on your situation.

Receive A Free Assessment Before Leasing or Buying Solar Panels

Solar.com is a free online marketplace offering potential solar panel investors the best pricing quotes from competing installers. All fees for this remarkable consumer service are paid for by our solar installers.

Go solar with ease through Solar.com’s innovative online marketing service.

  • The most qualified solar installer in your local area
  • Trusted solar installer at the best price
  • Solar panel installation quotes without a barrage of sales calls

Connect with an Energy Advisor to explore your solar options.