As the days grow shorter a person is less likely to consider the notion of using the sun to power their home. But declining panel prices and a federal tax credit make now a good time to at least investigate whether solar power might make sense for your home, and your budget.
If you are thinking that you’d like to go solar within the next few years, right now is the time to do it because Oregon solar panels are on sale right now, and there is a sweet spot where the state rebates are still relatively high, but the costs have come down. The coldest time of the year could be the right time for the best deal. It’s generally a slower time for the industry, which means companies may be willing to give you a better deal. For people who want to use the sun to generate electricity there are a couple of things to be aware of.
Take a good, hard look at your electricity usage over the past year or several months. This information is available through your monthly statement if you have the records available.
But do you know how much electricity you actually use? Electricity is charged by the kilowatt hour. Some people use as little as 300 kWh per month; others easily use more than 1,200 kWh a month so for some people greendiyenergy is a much better investment for people who use a lot of electricity. The idea of going green is gaining in popularity and a person can find that they are rewarded financially by various state agencies for doing so.
Take a look at the roof of your house. Is you house in good condition or are there issues that need to be addressed first? It is important for the basic repairs to be taken care of before tackling any type of renovation like this. Was your home designed in a way that would support a system? Does it face south? Are there trees that cover your house? Your roof should have clear, unobstructed access to the sun for most of the day and be free from shade from trees or other buildings.
Don’t check with only one manufacture. Ask friends and neighbors who have already installed solar power if they’ve been happy with their systems or go online and check out some greendiyenergy review to find out what has worked for others and what pitfalls you should be aware of.
Learn about financing options. Do you have to have the money for the entire system upfront, or does your installer offer a leasing option? It is possible to do this project in stages if you choose. Take the time to discuss your options with a couple of different manufactures to get the right system for you. Do not try to do this project with a handshake, it is better to protect yourself by having everything written down.
Follow up on all of the incentives that you are entitled to receive by taking on this project. A buyer who installs a $25,000 solar-panel system on his or her roof will get $7,500 in income-tax credits.
Think about how your electricity needs are going to change in the future and have a plan for the changes. There might be other additions to your house or family that make you require more power as you get older.
There is no substitute for research. If it is right for you, start using the sun to power your house. It is nice to know you are doing your part to protect the future.
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