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Top financial benefits of Solar Energy

If you were a solar system fiend, you must have learned in school that the sun is the powerhouse of energy, and without it, the entire earth will enter into the never-ending winter era. But do you know that the energy provided by the sun to earth in one hour can fulfill the global energy needs of the entire planet for one year?

Well, this is not being done yet because we haven't been able to figure out a way to harness even a fraction of the energy produced by the sun, but this doesn't mean we are not progressing in this solar realm. The very popular solar panels are a medium to use the power in the sunlight and then turn it into energy to fulfill your power needs. 

Solar energy is ubiquitous on earth. Therefore, you don't have to worry about the amount of energy you will be using, and the sun will keep shining for 10 billion years; we can stay dependent on such energy for a very, very long time. 

Here, we have outlined some most talked about benefits of solar energy that might help you understand people's paradigm shift from traditional energy production to solar power. 

Solar power is cheaper than the electricity grid.

If you are relying on traditional energy production for a long time and witnessing the electricity bill increasing at a breakneck pace, then be sure that this trend will continue in the future. The rate at which we produce electricity is not on an even keel with the current demand. 

But instead of worrying about the increasing electricity bill, you can switch to solar power and save money. When you use solar power, you don't pay for producing energy as the sunlight is ubiquitous, and no one charges for it. You have to pay a one-time fee in the form of the installation, and that's it. 

People keep on rehashing the traditional electricity production system, and there is no way you can sustain it as soon. For many people, this traditional form of electricity production will become impractical. 

Increase in property value

When installing solar panels, most people think about a renewable energy source and savings. Still, only a handful of people know that residential solar power installation through a solar installation company in Orlando can increase their property value. 

In the real estate realm, anything attached to the house that can save money for the owner or tenant, in the long run, is considered as an addition to the property price, and solar power serves the same purpose. 

A solar power system can last up to 30 years, and you can't imagine the money one can save every month during these 30 years. So the moment a real estate agent notices a solar panel system on a property, the property's price eventually increases. 

So, even if you are not interested in saving money on energy bills that are increasing at a breakneck pace, you can still go for it to increase the property value. 

Energy Independence

Many countries have declared themselves as sufficient energy builders. You will be surprised to know that even the most developed country can deal with an energy shortage, especially in remote or urban areas. This might sound odd, but looking at the rate at which energy consumption increases, we can't ignore this fact. 

But this doesn't mean that you should keep rehashing the traditional energy system, and even cutting down on your energy consumption sounds ludicrous. So, the only option to become energy independent is to switch to the very reliable solar power system installed by solar installation company Orlando.

The earth is inundated with sunlight, and it is almost ubiquitous, so you will never be limited while using this form of energy. Even governments can avoid spending billions of dollars on power grids and promote solar energy in every house. 

Government Incentives

The federal, state and local governments now offer incentives to encourage homeowners to install solar power through solar energy companies in Orlando. So, energy-saving and increased property value aren't the only benefits of solar panel installation. This is a relief for many people who still consider installing solar power as an arduous step. 

People in the U.S can receive these benefits in the form of solar rebates and even performance-based incentives. This can help you reduce the cost you pay for solar installation by 25 to 60 percent, which is a big relief for all those who gripe about the high cost of solar panel installation. 

Tax benefits

You can even get tax benefits just by installing solar panels on your roof through a solar installation company in Orlando. According to the latest rules, installing solar panels makes you eligible to earn a federal tax credit. 

This simply means that you will get a credit for your income taxes that will help in reducing the tax bill. You even qualify for the ITC for the tax year in which you have installed the solar panels as long as the solar panel system keeps on generating electricity for a home in the United States. 

Takeaway

Solar panels are a great relief for all those looking forward to reducing their electricity consumption. You don't have to step foot on an arduous journey to install solar panels on your roof as now, the installation process has been simplified, thanks to the advancement in solar power technology. 

Just make sure that you analyze your house, go through your power needs and then choose the best solar power company like Emerald Sun Energy and see how solar power transforms the way you have been using electricity for so many years. 

Commercial Solar Company - 12/21/2021

Case Study – Proves Solar Energy Works

Solar Before and After Comparison

Here is one of our happy solar energy customers power bills from February 2019 from here in Orlando Florida. As you can see he had a power bill of $190. On the right you can see that his power bill was reduced to $9.83 after solar energy installation in Orlando Florida. We compared February 2020 so it is from the same month to get direct comparison.

I-Pagan-Before

Power Bill from Duke Energy before Solar Installation in Orlando Florida

Ipagan-after

Customer reduced duke power bill after solar installation in Orlando Florida

If you look at the after bill you can see it highlighted in red that he received an additional 135 kWh credit for future usage, meaning he out produced what he would need ant the credit will be applied to future bills. In Florida this is an important strategy because in the winter months like February Orlando homeowners will produce more solar energy than they can use. These credits will be applied to months when they use more energy than they produce. Like June and July.

So you can see that you can destroy your power bill with solar Energy! Call Now and Start Saving!! Huge Tax incentives will end at the end of 2020!

Solar Orlando - 08/26/2020

Federal Solar Tax Credit Beyond 2019?…

Won’t be completely gone until 2022 but will be reduced!

2019 is the last year for the 30% Federal Tax Credit!  The tax credit allows you to write off 30% of the cost of your solar panel system from your annual Federal Income tax return.  An important distinction to understand is that tax credit if better than a tax deduction. A deduction lowers your annual income that is going to be taxed.  A Tax Credit goes against the amount of tax responsibility you have for the given year. It is dollar for dollar against what you owed or paid on your w2. Where a tax deduction you really only recognize a percentage of the reduction in actual dollars usually to the percentage of your tax bracket.  So if you are in a 25% tax bracket and you have a $4,000 deduction that will translate into a $1,000 of actual tax responsibility. Where with a tax credit, if it is $4,000 tax credit it will translate into a deduction $4,000 of your actual tax responsibility.

That makes this the absolute best year to incorporate solar into your energy portfolio.  However, if you have a circumstance that will preclude you from taking advantage of the Solar Tax Credit you will not be left out in the rain.  The Solar Tax Credit will have a two year deceleration period. In 2020 the Solar Federal Tax Credit will be lowered from 30% down to 26%. So it will still be a good deal but you will be leaving money on the table.  For example, If you purchased a solar panel system in 2019 for $28,000 your 30% tax credit will be $8,400 and your net system price will be $19,600. However, If you purchase the same system in 2020 for $28,000 your tax credit will be $7,280 and your net system cost will be $20,720.  So if you are able to make your purchase in 2019 you will save an additional $1,120.

The Federal Solar Tax Credit for 2021 will 22% which is an additional 4% reduction in the tax credit.  As for our above example, if you paid $28,000 your 30% Federal Tax Credit will be $6,160 and your net system cost will be $21,840.  Which means it will cost you $2,240 more than it would in 2019 and $1,120 more than it would in 2021. That is still a great deal when you consider if you wait until 2022 there will be no Residential Solar tax credit which means your $28,000 system will cost you $28,000 or $6,160 more than if you purchased the system in 2021.

Not to worry even without the tax credit solar is a tremendous value for long term energy savings over what you would have paid the power company without it.  As the Power Company as an industry raises there rates between 3-4% on average per year. Once you have solar you will have isolated yourself from those increases and essentially creating an annual return on investment that increases its yield be 3-4% a year.  However, taking advantage of the tax credit will allow you to make the most return on investment as you will not be leaving any money on the table.

For Commercial Businesses the Federal Tax Credit is a little different.  Like the residential tax credit in 2019, there will be a 30% Federal Tax Credit.  In 2020 just like the residential tax credit the commercial tax credit will be 26% and in 2021 it will be 22%.  However, in 2022 when the residential tax credit goes away the commercial tax credit will be 10%. There is no current expiration date for the 10% tax credit but that doesn’t mean it won’t go away on short notice.

The future for solar energy is bright!  Even as the sun begins to set on the 30% Federal Tax Credit the growth of solar is predicted to continue to be one of the fastest growing industries.  If you are considering solar energy then now will be the most profitable it will be so the time to act is now.

Solar Companies - 02/12/2019

Picking The Right Solar Company is More Important Than Price!

Picking The Right Solar Company is More Important Than Price!

As we are entering the great gold rush of Solar Energy it is important to pick the right company to do the job.  Right now Solar Energy is such an amazing opportunity when you factor in great low financing rates with the Federal 30% tax credit (due to expire in 2019) and rising energy costs (power companies raise their rate by an average of 4% a year), there has never been a better time to switch to solar.  It is so good right now that you can literally convert a variable expense into a profitable asset all the while using the money you are already spending on your power bill to do it. If you qualify you will be able to incorporate solar power for $0 Down and $0 out of pocket. I didn’t even mention the environmental green energy benefits that solar can provide our environment over the current energy sources.

The biggest problem I find is that the general homeowner doesn’t have a strategic plan for what solar company they should use to install their solar panel system.  As a good consumer, their default position is to get the best price possible. This is the first huge mistake. Don’t get me wrong I am a savvy consumer and choose to do my due diligence as to not overpay for the products and services I desire.  It is a mistake because you often open yourself up to less reliable companies that usually use less than desirable equipment and take cost-cutting installation strategies to reduce their cost.

I believe the proper process for choosing a solar company should be multifaceted with the price just being one of the variables to consider.  I believe the most important variable should be the reputation of the Orlando Solar contractor that is going to install your solar panel system. I can’t tell you how many phone calls I get from solar owners who need service or an uninstall/reinstall for a roof change that can’t get in touch with the solar company that installed there system.  Sometimes it’s because the company just doesn’t get back to them but most often it is because they have gone out of business.

Solar is booming so why are so many installers going out of business?  Mainly they are underbidding the projects and not providing any resourceful customer service.  This then generates poor reviews and reputation which is a death sentence for any business. These people are then just left flapping in the breeze and needing a new solar company that is going to charge them retail rate on any work that needs to be done as they did not profit from the original installation.  So customers who are in this situation end up paying more than someone who chooses the right company from the start even though they may pay a little more today it will save them a ton tomorrow. Especially when you factor in the headaches that are caused when you can’t get in touch with your original solar installer.  That is not to mention that many of them will cut costs on there installation process meaning you may have significant maintenance, for example, if they do not take the time to tie the solar panel racking system into your home’s Truss frame, you will be exposed to the potential for your system to leak.

The beautiful thing about the solar industry today is that you can get a great system from a great company and reduce your energy cost while improving the value of your home all with $0 out of pocket.  What I am getting at is getting the right company and the right solar equipment is more important than getting the best price. Because paying the power company in the current model is the worst deal out there and that is why these bottom feeders are able to prey on inconspicuous homeowners.  The use the homeowners desire to get the best price all the while setting them up for a higher long-term expense on their solar panel system. Don’t get me wrong this is still a better deal than paying the power company but why not just simply get the best deal by factoring in all of the important variables.

First is to make sure that you are getting the right equipment for the system you need.  Many companies that are trying to sell you a system are doing so by not including important equipment that will make your Solar panel system more efficient, effective and will save you a lot more money down the road.  You must make sure you get a system with power optimizers or microinverters. These devices will help your system to perform at the highest levels. I prefer Power optimizers over microinverters for a few reasons that I will not get into here.  I cover all of that in my “Secret Guide to Buying Solar” where you can get all of that information plus plenty of information on how to spot a dishonest contractor.

Picking the right solar company will make all of the difference in your solar energy experience.  With all of the money that you will save over the life of the system, it is worth paying a little more for the right company.

Here are 3 things you can do to vet your solar energy company.  First is check out their Solar Google reviews. If they have bad reviews you can simply disqualify them from your process.  To be fair if they have only 1 bad review you can read the review and determine if it was a situation the solar company tried to resolve or not, but if they have a pattern of bad reviews then simply disqualifying them is the wisest solution.  Second, call them and see how long it takes for them to get back to you. If they do not get back to you right away while you are in the purchasing phase then you know they will likely be slow at getting back to you after you have purchased a solar panel system.  I would recommend trying this a few times to make sure they give you consistent quality customer service. Finally, have them give you 2 or 3 former customers who you can contact and ask them how their buying experience was as well as the follow up after the system was purchased,  has the system performed as promised and how is their ongoing customer service.

If all else is equal in terms of quality of solar products and the reputation of the solar company then I think the price can be a very strong determinant for which solar dealer to choose. I know at Emerald Sun Energy we take your Solar journey and customer satisfaction very seriously.  Our motto is “We look out for your interests as if they were our own”. Competitive pricing combined with exceptional service is our secret sauce for success and hope we gain the opportunity to add you to our growing list of completely satisfied customers.

Solar Company - 09/12/2018

Questions you should ask your solar company – part 4

Questions you should ask your solar company – part 4

22. Do I need to replace my roof before installing solar?

Depends.  If you are thinking about replacing the roof or you know it needs to be changed in the next 3 years I would seriously consider changing the roof before adding a rooftop solar panel system to your home.  The Solar Panels will actually help to extend the lifespan of your roof by protecting it from weather damage like wind and hail.  You should get a replacement roof option with your solar energy system.  Many Solar Companies will offer this for a small upsell that you can include in your system.  However, the downside of paying it upfront is if the solar company you contracted with goes out of business then you will have to pay someone else to reinstall your system.  Emerald Sun Energy includes a solar panel replacement if you utilize our recommended roofer to do the job.  This only applies to normal roof replacement.  If your roof is damaged during a storm then your insurance company can be billed for the additional charges incurred to reinstall your solar panel system.

23. How long will my solar power system last?

Your solar power system will come with a 25 year performance guarantee, it will actually last 40-50 years.  You will have to replace the inverter at 12 years but solaredge offers an extended warranty on their inverter up to 25 years.  It is a great investment to extend the life of the entire solar energy system to 25 years.

24. What happens if I sell my solar house?

This is one of the most important reasons why it is better to own the system over leasing a system.  When you sell your home you will sell it with the system and receive on average a $20,000 increase in the value of your home.  According to Forbes Magazine, the average home increases its value by over $20,000.  If you are leasing a system when you go to sell your home you will have to require the buyer to assume the lease as well as the leasing company will have to approve the buyer.

26. How do I compare solar quotes?

Comparing solar quotes is not an easy task.  There are many factors that you have to be able to weigh against one another.  Such as quality of Solar panels, inverter, racking systems and wiring used. You will also have to compare company performance, financing options offered by companies(unless you secure your own financing prior to shopping), then you will have to compare add ons like maintenance, roof replacements and others.  Using a third party solar consultant to compare quotes is a great investment. You can usually get someone to compare your quotes for under $400 not a bad investment to protect against a mistake in purchasing $20,000 – $30,000 solar investment.  To find out more on what to look out for when purchasing Solar Energy for your home, read “The Secret Guide to Buying Solar” the most comprehensive solar buying guide on the market.

27. What are the different types of solar panels?

There are many manufacturers of solar panels to choose from.  Make sure the solar manufacturer you are looking at offers at least a 10 year manufacturer warranty and a 25 year performance guarantee.

There are two types of solar panels.  Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.  Monocrystalline solar panels are more expensive but are more efficient and durable and worth the price difference.

28. What are the different types of power inverters?

There are three main types of inverter systems you can choose from.  First is a string inverter system, micro-inverter system and power optimizer systems.  String inverters are highly inefficient and require a perfect situation to utilize them.  However, they are the best option for large commercial jobs. Micro inverter systems for homeowners will increase the amount of efficiency the system can produce over a string inverter system.  There is a larger increase in maintenance with this system and for commercial use, this system is a virtual maintenance nightmare. The third system is the solaredge power optimizer system.  With this system, you can get the added efficiency of the micro inverter systems with a reduced long term maintenance on your system. This is the most prefered system to use for homes. For commercial it is also a good solution but in many cases, the straight string inverter is going to make the most sense.

For more Questions you should ask your solar company check out our ongoing series:

Questions You Should Ask Your Solar Company – Part 1

Questions You Should Ask Your Solar Company – Part 2

Questions You Should Ask Your Solar Company – Part 3

Commercial Solar Company - 08/27/2018

Questions you should ask your Solar Company – part 2

Solar Energy In Orlando Florida is taking off & Here are some Questions you should ask your solar company – part 2

9. Can I go off grid with solar panels?

In the state of Florida, you are not legally able to go off-grid.  However, you can reduce your demand for electricity from the grid and offset all of the cost for electricity by producing electricity with solar energy.  In Orlando Florida as a Solar Company, we help homeowners go solar with no money down and no money out of pocket and they are able to reduce their power bill and energy consumption while improving the value of their home’s.

10. Will I still receive an electric bill if I have solar panels?

Yes.  You will still receive a power bill, however, your combined expense between power bill and solar will be less than what your current power bill is today.

11. Do solar panels work in a blackout?

Depends, there are two different ways to have power during a blackout.  First is to have an inverter that allows you to cut off the power to the electrical grid and will still power your home during daylight hours.  The second way is to blank your home with a battery backup system that your home will work off of during a blackout. It will provide power into the evenings until the batteries are drained.

12. How much will solar panel maintenance cost?

Very minimal, All of the equipment has long-term extended warranties so there is no production cost involved in maintenance.  Please make sure you know your warranties T & C’s. Many solar companies will include maintenance on warranty covered issues.

13. What solar energy rebates and incentives are available?

If Florida the biggest incentive is the Federal 30% Tax Credit that you are able to get in a dollar for dollar rebate from your upcoming tax seasons.  This rebate can range upwards of $10,000. It truly makes this the golden age of solar energy.  For a full list of all available rebates, you can visit DSIRE, it is a database that aggregates all available solar rebates for the entire country including state and local incentives.

  1. What are my solar financing options?

Solar Financing options have come full circle.  There are many great offers available today. You can own a system for no money down, no money out of pocket and a low fixed rate apr of 2.99% for 12 or 20.  In Florida, purchasing is the only option available for homeowners. For certain businesses leasing may be an option as well. In many other states, PPA’s are available (power purchase agreement), with this agreement solar company owns the system and you are buying your power from them instead of the power company.  It gives you moderate savings over the power company but not as much savings as owning a system yourself.  In many areas of central Florida PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is available, PACE is a program that allows you to use your property tax as a payment vehicle for Solar Energy.  You are able to finance the project through your property tax and extend payments out for 25 years which lowers your monthly power bill rates.  The biggest benefit of PACE is that it is transferable when you sell the property.  To find out if your property qualifies for PACE, you can run a search at Renew Finance.

15. Should I buy or lease my solar panel system?

See above.  Except for specific cases for homeowners buying the system is your better deal.  Before the financing options became more competitive it may have made sense to go with a leased system.  Owning vs leasing you receive all of the tax incentives plus it increases the value of your home. For businesses, there may be reasons to lease over buying depending on business structure but more often than not it is still better to buy.

For more Questions you should ask your solar company check out our ongoing series:

The 7 Most Important Questions to Ask Your Solar Company – part 1

Questions you should ask your Solar Company – part 3

For a comprehensive solar buyers guide visit “The Secret Guide to Buying Solar”

commercial solar - 08/06/2018

The 7 Most Important Questions to Ask Your Solar Company – part 1

Solar Energy In Orlando, Florida is on the rise and the 7 most Important Questions You Should Ask Your Orlando Solar Company

1. What are the financial benefits of solar energy?

The biggest financial benefit for solar energy in Orlando, Florida is it will continually lower your kWh rate over time. As your power company raises its rates, by 4% a year on average, you will be insulated from these rate increases. Over the life of the system, your savings can exceed $50,000 over the money you will already spend. The best part about the money you make on solar is that it is in savings of post-tax dollars which means the money you make is not taxable and makes your gross rate profit the same as your net rate profit. For example, if you were to earn this same money in the stock market then those earnings would be taxable under capital gains.

2. What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?

Solar Energy will reduce your carbon footprint. Solar Energy doesn’t need to be drilled, Doesn’t need to be processed at a facility, doesn’t need to be transported and most importantly doesn’t need to be burned. According to a recent article from CNN, they state that solar may be the one variable that can rescue us from global warming. See link in video description below

3. How do I find out how much I pay for electricity?

You can look at your power bill to determine your active kWh rate, but make sure you factor in many power company charge either increased rates over a designated monthly kWh usage or a premium rate for energy used during peak hours. The average kWh rate including taxes ranges from $.12 to $.16 per kWh in Orlando, Florida.

4. What is net metering?

Net Metering is the agreement in place with power companies that allow you to produce your own energy and sell your excess energy to the power company for energy credits to be used at a later time or date. During the day your solar power system will produce all of the energy you will need for the entire day and then at night, you will use your accumulated credits from the energy you produced during the day. The best part of net metering is that you are able to sell your power to the power company at the retail rate for the energy that you use.

5. How does solar impact my property values?

This is what makes solar energy the best investment in the market. According to Forbes Magazine, you recoup 97% of your investment the day you install the panels on your roof. This is what allows you to convert a variable expense into a profitable asset. Essentially you are converting your power bill into an asset that increases your property value as well as insulating yourself from future power rate hikes.

6. How do solar photovoltaic (PV) solar panels work?

Solar panels generate electricity through the photovoltaic process. This is where the silicon solar panels separate the electrons from the protons. The electrons are then funneled down into the inverter that will convert the dc electricity into ac electricity which is what your home and the grid work off of.

7. Do my solar panels produce power when the sun isn’t shining?

It will generate some electricity but it will be less than when it is clear weather and sunny.
Here in Orlando, there is a lot of Sun but there is also a lot of clouds, hence getting a solar power system with SolarEdge power optimizers maximizes your solar panel system energy production.

For More Questions you should ask your solar company visit our ongoing series:

Questions you should ask your Solar Company – part 2

Questions you should ask your Solar Company – part 3

For a comprehensive solar buyers guide visit “The Secret Guide to Buying Solar”

Solar Orlando - 08/01/2018

Commercial Solar Incentives makes Solar a great choice for businesses

The solar industry seems extremely focused on educating the residential homeowner on the benefits of switching to Solar Energy. Which by all means is a critically important segment of the solar industry and does need the education and attention. However, this should not be at the expense of the commercial market which in its own rights is an incredibly important segment of the solar industry.

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Comercial Solar Orlando
Solar Energy Orlando
Solar Power Orlando

The Commercial Solar Market in Orlando has an incredible opportunity to secure a return on investment even over a residential home. This is because they have additional incentives that they can implement over the residential market.

There is two main incentive for commercial solar customers.  The first one is the same for commercial customers as well as it is for residential customers and that’s the 30% federal tax credit.  However, with businesses they are almost always able to take advantage of the tax credit where the residential market sometimes needs to utilize it over a multiple year period.  Where businesses are able to utilize it within the first year.

The second main incentive really supercharges the investment portions of this opportunity. For businesses, they are able to depreciate the equipment over a 5 year period which gives them the equivalent of an additional 30% discount. That means the potential net system cost for a commercial solar panel system would be 40%.

With a payback period of fewer than 5 years and attractive financing options available, all commercial solar customers energy expense is less than what they pay the power company. In addition to that, an smart business is always looking for ways to decrease their expenses or increase their profitability. Solar does exactly this because it converts a variable/fixed expenses into a profitable asset.

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Solar Power Installation for Commercial businesses

A couple of things to consider for Commercial Solar Customers is that the 30% Federal Tax Credit is due to expire at the end of 2019.  That means for the next couple of years will be the golden age of buying solar panels.  The other thing to consider is understanding what you need to do to get the best solar panel system for your money.  Many solar companies use a laundry list of tricks to sell their products but knowing the difference is critical to getting the return on investment.  To get a better understanding you need to read The Secret Guide To Buying Solar.  This guide will give you all of the information to protect yourself from dishonest contractors.

Emerald Sun Energy is an Orlando Solar Energy Company servicing all of Central Florida.  They Specialize in Residential and Commercial Solar Installations.  They have been featured in Solar Industry Magazine as well as SolarPro Magazine as a best practice solar installer who protects the rights of their customers.

Commercial Solar Company - 10/13/2017

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Office: (407) 504-0922

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