My sister just got solar power on her house and says it’s keeping her costs down, so we are looking into going solar as well. Since we’ve been doing the research, I figured I’d share my findings to give answers to your questions about solar power (b/c they are mine too!).
Okay. It IS true that if I’m home by myself, I enlist all-the-lights-in-the-house as my bodyguard. Hubby gently mocks me for this but… it does make me feel safer. Otherwise, we are a “turn the lights off when you leave the room” type of family. Despite our efforts, our electricity bill has risen steadily. It’s distressing trying to stay on budget, then along comes one unpredictable bill each month!
Answers to Your Questions about Solar Power!
1. What options do I have for going solar? Mainly two:
Purchase your own system – You select, contract, and manage the installation of the system as well as monitor and maintain. Cons: A high upfront cost (you may have been deterred by in the past). You have to secure a system or installer, manage the install, and fill out all paperwork for tax rebates and credits.
Leased solar systems (also called “third-party owned solar”) – This option allows you to go solar with little to no upfront cost. The solar lease provider purchases equipment, installs on your roof, and handles monitoring and maintenance through the life of your agreement. You, the homeowner, pay a low rate for the electricity produced. Con: Leased solar isn’t available in every state.
2. How much will leased solar power cost?
Upfront: If you go leased, there will be little to no upfront cost.
Monthly: You’ll still have your monthly electricity bill, but it will be lower than what you currently pay to the utility. If Sunrun solar service can’t save you money, they will not sell you a system. Your monthly bill is a factor of the tiered electricity costs in your area, size of your system, and rebates offered. Sunrun solar service takes care of all the paperwork and uses the rebates and credits to help lower your overall price for solar electricity. No extra paperwork + price advantage? Win-win, I say!
3. How much will I save with going solar?
It depends on you and your usage, rates, and your local utility. Like I mentioned, Sunrun wouldn’t sell you a system if they can’t save you money so it’s worth checking into.
4. What about putting solar electricity I don’t use back into the grid?
Yes! A net meter measures how much solar electricity your system produces. The excess is fed into the utility grid. Your net meter “spins” backwards giving you energy credits! Use those credits when your system is not producing electricity!
5. Where do the panels get installed?
Generally on the southernmost side of the home to get max exposure and production.
6. Will I be off-the-grid?
No. With a third-party leased system you will be on a “grid-tied” solar system. Your solar units are tied into the local utility grid to send and receive power. This way, you use your utility company’s grid for electricity storage. Off-the-grid solar systems use a battery backup that is expensive, and creates toxic waste. So grid-tied is the cleaner energy system.
Will we be getting solar service soon? I hope so! With the way our rates have risen, yet our usage has stayed the same or decreased, I know we need a change in how our family uses and obtains our energy!
More about Sunrun solar services:
Sunrun is the original inventor of solar service, developing a way to get solar onto your roof without the upfront costs or hassle of ownership. Sunrun will install, insure, monitor, and maintain a solar system uniquely designed for your home and energy needs. You pay a low, locked-in rate for the electricity your panels produce.This gives you more control over your costs, protecting you from unpredictable electricity rate increases.
Get a free solar quote here.
Have you gone solar yet?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
I’ve always wanted solar panels but the cost scared me off. I had no idea you could lease solar power! Thanks for sharing- we’ll be looking into this soon to see if it’s available in our area.
I’ve always wanted solar panels but the cost scared me off. I had no idea you could lease solar power! Thanks for sharing- we’ll be looking into this soon to see if it’s available in our area.