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Solar Panels Orlando

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Buying vs. Leasing Residential Solar Panels in Florida: Why Buying is the Better Choice

1. Ownership and Long-Term Savings

Buying: When you purchase solar panels, you take full ownership of the system, which translates into significant long-term savings. Although the upfront cost may seem high, the financial benefits start to accrue almost immediately. On average, the payback period for solar power systems in Florida ranges between 5 to 7 years, after which the energy generated by your panels is essentially free for the remaining lifespan of the system, which is typically 25-30 years. This means you can enjoy 20+ years of free electricity, leading to substantial savings over time.

Moreover, Florida homeowners who buy their solar systems can take advantage of various financial incentives, including the federal solar tax credit, which is currently set at 30%. This credit alone can reduce the net cost of your system by thousands of dollars. In addition to federal incentives, Florida’s net metering policies allow homeowners to sell excess energy back to the grid, further enhancing the financial appeal of purchasing your system.

Leasing: On the surface, leasing may appear to be a more affordable option due to the lower upfront costs. However, this approach comes with hidden financial drawbacks that can diminish its attractiveness over time. One of the most significant drawbacks is the escalation clause often included in solar leases. These clauses typically increase your monthly payments by around 2-3% each year over the lease term, which is usually 20-25 years.

While a 2% increase may seem modest initially, the cumulative effect over two decades can result in significantly higher payments than you originally anticipated. For example, a $100 monthly lease payment that increases by 2% annually will become approximately $149 per month by the end of a 25-year lease term. This escalation can erode any savings you might see on your electricity bills, making leasing a less financially sound decision compared to buying.

In addition to these escalating payments, when you lease, you do not benefit from any federal or state tax incentives or rebates—those go directly to the leasing company. Over the lease's lifetime, you could end up paying far more than the cost of purchasing a system outright while missing out on the substantial long-term savings and financial incentives available to Florida homeowners who buy.

2. Property Value Increase

Buying: Solar panels are known to increase property value, especially in a state like Florida, where sunlight is abundant. Studies have shown that homes with owned solar systems sell for more than those without. The added value is because the buyer is purchasing a home with a built-in energy savings system. Additionally, the lack of ongoing lease payments is attractive to potential buyers, making your home more marketable.

Leasing: With a leased system, the situation is more complicated. Some potential buyers may be hesitant to take over a solar lease, which could limit your pool of buyers. Even if they agree to assume the lease, the added monthly payment might be a deterrent, potentially impacting your home’s marketability and value.

3. Freedom and Control

Buying: As the owner of the solar panels, you have complete control over your system. You can choose the best panels and inverters, decide where and how they are installed, and make any adjustments or upgrades over time. Additionally, you are not bound by a long-term contract, giving you the freedom to sell your home or make changes without worrying about lease transfer conditions.

Leasing: Leasing often comes with strict terms and conditions. You may have limited choices regarding the type and quality of equipment used, and you might not have a say in how the system is installed. Furthermore, leasing agreements typically lock you into a long-term contract, which can be difficult and costly to break if your circumstances change.

4. Financial Incentives and ROI

Buying: The return on investment (ROI) for purchased solar panels is much higher compared to leasing. With the help of tax credits, rebates, and energy savings, most Florida homeowners see a significant ROI over the lifespan of the system. Additionally, the savings on your electricity bills will increase over time as utility rates rise, further enhancing the financial benefits.

Leasing: Leasing offers minimal ROI. While you may see some savings on your electricity bills, the leasing company reaps the majority of the financial benefits, including tax credits and rebates. Over time, the cumulative payments you make on a lease could exceed the cost of purchasing a system outright, making leasing a less financially sound decision.

5. Maintenance and Warranties

Buying: When you buy a solar system, the responsibility for maintenance typically falls on you. However, most reputable solar companies offer warranties that cover the system for 25 years or more, ensuring peace of mind. Additionally, solar panels are low-maintenance, and any required upkeep is usually minimal.

Leasing: One of the perceived advantages of leasing is that the leasing company often handles maintenance and repairs. While this can be convenient, the cost of these services is usually built into your monthly payments, meaning you’re still paying for them indirectly.

6. Energy Independence

Buying: Owning your solar system allows you to achieve greater energy independence. You can potentially add battery storage, allowing you to store excess energy for use during peak times or power outages. This level of control and self-sufficiency is particularly appealing to homeowners looking to reduce their reliance on Florida utility companies.

Leasing: With a leased system, your energy independence is limited. The leasing company owns the panels, and you are dependent on them for system management. Additionally, adding battery storage or other upgrades may not be possible or could incur additional costs.

Conclusion: Why Buying is the Better Choice for Florida Homeowners

While leasing solar panels can provide short-term savings and convenience, the long-term financial and personal benefits of buying Solar Powered System far outweigh the advantages of leasing. By purchasing your solar system, you maximize your return on investment, increase your property value, and gain control over your energy future. For homeowners serious about reaping the full rewards of solar energy in Florida, buying is the clear winner.

References

  1. EnergySage - Buying vs. Leasing Solar Panels: Which Option is Best for You?
  2. Solar Reviews - Should You Buy or Lease Solar Panels?
  3. Clean Energy Authority - Why Buying Your Solar Panels is Better Than Leasing
  4. Forbes - Buying Vs Leasing Solar Panels: Weighing The Pros and Cons
  5. NerdWallet - Should You Lease or Buy Solar Panels?

By purchasing your solar system, you not only avoid the pitfalls of escalating lease payments but also position yourself for substantial long-term savings, energy independence, and increased property value in Florida. The financial benefits of buying far outweigh the initial cost, making it the better choice for most homeowners.

Residential Solar Company - 09/03/2024
Cleaning solar panels

Why, When, and How to Clean Your Solar Panels? Here’s a Complete Guide!

People in many parts of this world are experiencing an extreme lack of electricity, aka energy sources that could light up their homes, act as fuel to their machinery and provide them with a better/ easy life. The energy crisis is a serious issue that has been prevailing for a long time. People have been trying to counter it by using natural resources to generate power, one among them being sunlight. 

Although it can be considered a new-found invention, generating energy directly from sunlight has proven to be more resource and cost-effective because it is available to us in superabundance. Electricity thus generated is better termed solar power, created by maneuvering PV panels (photo-voltaic) that absorb the sun's rays into usable energy. Generally, a power grid is integrated with these solar panels responsible for converting the Direct Current (DC) perceived into Alternating Current (AC), which appliances can use. 

What Are the Common Solar Blockers?

Solar panels are, in fact, quite easily exposed to natural elements that block their usual functionality of absorbing the sunlight. These solar blockers can be leaves, dust, debris, etc. Such recurring blockage could certainly be avoided if you plan to clean your solar panels now and then. Elements in your surroundings could be - 

  1. Dust - Dust particles could easily accumulate on the surface of your solar panels and remain there until an additional force acts on them, like you intend to clean it or it rains.
  2. Leaves or Twigs - Other commonly found items on solar panels are leaves and small branches of the trees in the people's surroundings. This mostly depends upon the geographical location of your solar panels and your home. If tall trees surround your house, you may see leaves falling onto the solar panels, more often in the Autumn season.
  3. Water - A combination of dust particles and twigs could become a bigger hassle when it pours down. The undesirable rainwater could further block the solar panels and minimize your system's efficiency.

Why Clean Your Solar Panels Periodically?

It is common for solar panels to get less cleaning and care due to their owners' busy routines. However, cleaning them occasionally, if not regularly, has been significantly helpful. Let's explore a few reasons why it should be done - 

  • Improves efficiency - System performance and efficiency levels are parameters most owners trust for their solar panels. The more they perform better and generate electricity, the better they are. Regular maintenance and day-to-day cleaning must do the job to achieve such results. Before the summer arises, you must plan and clean the panels from the surface area for them to absorb maximum sunlight and produce power. Doing so, you will surely notice the difference in performance. 
  • Improve Durability - Routine cleaning of the solar panels is often mentioned as a requisite in the user manual guides that come with the mechanism. The reason is that excessive dust and debris could significantly damage solar panels and lower their lifespan. Therefore, you can contribute significantly to the wear and tear of the system. To improve its durability, adopt a cleansing routine for your solar panels. 
  • Aesthetically Appeal - Solar-powered panels are a part of the latest housing trends, and homeowners wouldn't want their premises to look aged or out of trend. To bring a new, fancy look to your solar panels, one must keep them thoroughly cleaned and well-maintained.
  • Get an Opportunity to Inspect - And lastly, when you clean your solar panels more often, you get to inspect and analyze the issues in the system, if any. The earlier the issue is detected, the better it is. The condition of the complete system can be derived if you clean it periodically. 

When to Clean Your Solar Panels?

Extensive cleaning can be ventured once or twice a year and with the aid of designated professionals only. Nevertheless, if your warranty agreement states or provides you with a few additional cleaning services during the contract, do avail the opportunity and take advantage of their assistance. It is recommended to clean your solar panels before the arrival of summer, as the changing season brings with it environmental pollutants.

How to Clean Your Solar Panels?

Homeowners can use professional cleaning services or DIY it to clean their solar panels. The procedure requires a bucket of warm water, cleaning soap or detergent, mushy fiber cloths, and a sponge. 

Start by adding the dish soap to a piece of cloth and pour some hot water on it. Begin to lightly nudge or clean the panel and ensure gentle taps only. Since these panels are the source to absorb sunlight, you mustn't knock them off and damage the system. Continue the procedure till the entire surface is immaculate and looks like new!

Why Seek Professional Help?

If you need a hand, connect with your area's professional solar panel cleaners to expect better results. DIY cleaning is easy to apply, but some homeowners seek professional help to avoid the hassle. Professionals are better at this task because they acquire specialized training and expertise that qualifies them to determine the condition of your solar panels and work on them accordingly. 

Conclusion…

As solar panels are expensive equipment that needs proper care and maintenance, reaching out to expert professionals is beneficial. Luckily, you can contact Emerald Sun Energy, a Solar Installation Company in Orlando that caters to services like panel installation, cleaning and inspection tasks, etc. We have a designated service program that allows our customers to benefit from our dedicated services and experience. At Emerald Sun Energy, we aspire to prioritize our customer's needs and provide an action plan based on their requirements. Reach out to us if you need technical assistance!

Solar Energy Orlando - 10/17/2022
Benefits of Going with Solar Energy

How Does Your One Decision Make a Powerful Impact on Utility Bills and Environment?

Researchers, Practitioners, and Politicians Now Have Tremendous Opportunities and Challenges in Energy Conservation

Amid rising public worries over greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, consumers also appear to be becoming more aware of the value and necessity of sustainable energy practices. However, despite having sufficient knowledge about how to save energy and a professed willingness to do so, many customers still fail to take observable measures toward energy efficiency and conservation.

The 'knowledge-action gap' and the 'value-action gap' are two well-known instances of the widespread disconnect between what people say they know and what they actually do. Financial incentives and material interests are not always the primary drivers of energy usage among households. Even though incentives and punishments are meant to sway customers' cost-benefit analyses in favor of sustainable behaviors, they can occasionally elicit unintended and even counterproductive responses. When attempting to predict how much energy a household would consume or how likely they are to conserve energy, neither core values nor material interests seem to be a good predictor. We draw on important findings from the fields of behavioral economics and psychology to explain why consumers' energy-related behavior often doesn't align with their values or financial interests.

What One Decision Can Help You Save Utility Bills and the Environment?

Most individuals accept that they will always have to pay for their use of electricity. Modern life would be impossible without electricity, as it powers everything from refrigerators and stoves to televisions and mobile phones.

Electric bills, as a whole, have three main issues:

  • Costing a lot of money
  • The price keeps going up over time
  • They can't be predicted

All three of these issues can be mitigated by installing a solar system, which will also reduce your monthly electricity costs.

Saving Money on Your Monthly Electricity Bill

The primary advantage of installing solar panels is saving money on your monthly electricity bill. With sufficiently large solar panels, it may be possible to power a whole house with solar energy Orlando residents can trust. Use the solar energy calculator provided by the Energy Saving Trust to get a rough idea of your potential savings. Additionally, your carbon footprint will decrease. According to the Energy Saving Trust, depending on where you live, a typical household solar PV system can save between 1.3 and 1.6 tonnes of carbon annually.

How Can You Make Renewable Energy Your Power?

All renewable energy sources are considered green, although not all renewable energy sources are environmentally friendly. Since the sun will never stop shining, solar power can be considered both renewable and environmentally friendly, producing no harmful byproducts like carbon dioxide. Installing solar photovoltaic panels on your roof is a great way to harness solar energy in Orlando and power your home's electrical needs. Solar panels use the sun's energy to generate electricity for household usage.

Although solar panels in Florida produce more power on sunny days, they can still generate electricity on cloudy days. With battery storage, the energy produced during the day can be stored for use even when the sun has set. Under the Government's Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you can sell any unused electricity back into the national grid.

What Are the Benefits of Solar Energy?

Reduced Electricity Bills

Electricity costs could drop significantly right after installation. The main benefit of installing solar panels in Orlando is reducing your monthly electricity bill. Using solar power in Florida, you can generate electricity directly from the sun, reducing your dependence on grid-based electricity. This will help you save money year-round. An off-grid system allows you to avoid paying for electricity entirely.

Increased Home Value

Investing in solar energy Orlando homeowners trust is a surefire way to save on monthly electricity bills and increase property value. Solar-powered homes in Florida tend to sell faster and for more money. Adding solar panels to a home’s roof boosts market value, making it as appealing as other factors like a favorable location and low property taxes.

Environmentally Friendly

Installing solar panels is an investment in clean, renewable energy. The use of solar energy in Florida has zero negative environmental impacts, producing no harmful emissions or pollutants. This lessens the demand for limited resources and allows you to feel good about using your clean power round-the-clock.

Low Maintenance

The costs associated with producing and maintaining solar-generated electricity are minimal because solar technology requires very little maintenance. The only significant cost is the initial installation of solar panels in Orlando, which can be mitigated through tax credits and rebates.

Easy Installation

Setting up solar panels in Orlando requires very little effort. Solar panels can be installed on both flat and elevated surfaces, making it an adaptable solution in Florida. With solar energy, you can create your own electricity without dealing with the high costs of connecting to the power grid.

Receive Tax Credits and Other Incentives

How much can you save by switching to solar power in Florida? Producing your own energy allows for significant cost savings, as you are no longer reliant on fluctuating market prices. Plus, with tax credits and government incentives, solar power becomes even more affordable.

Become Energy Independent

Compared to conventional energy sources, solar energy provides a more reliable power supply. Solar energy in Orlando enhances grid reliability by distributing energy from a variety of locations, reducing the risk of blackouts and improving efficiency.

How Can We Help You?

When it comes to solar panel installation in Orlando, Emerald Sun Energy is your best option. A well-designed system can power your entire house indefinitely. With growing government incentives and subsidies for solar energy in Florida, now is the perfect time to invest in solar power. Save money and contribute to a cleaner environment by investing in a solar rooftop system today!

 

References:

https://www.energysage.com/solar/

https://www.solarreviews.com/solar-panels-florida

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/solar-panels-save-money

Solar Panels Orlando - 09/14/2022
How Can Solar Panels Thrive In Winters_

How Can Solar Panels Thrive In Winters?

Being a continuous, clean, and free source of electricity that is renewable at no cost, solar power is one of the greatest investments one can think of. It not only is great in producing limitless electricity supply but one could also use it for small scale as well as large scale purposes. 

You may find most households that have manageable solar panels installed on their rooftops as they are a secure investment that is worthy enough to be with you for years to come. Since solar panels are usually considered a one-time investment, it is undoubtedly correct that they have to put up with different types of weather conditions. Be it scorching summers or chilly winters, or even snowfall - your solar panels will have to experience such circumstances come what may.

Let It Snow, Your Panels Will Work 

If you’re in Orlando and have a solar consultant, you may know how your solar panels function in snowy weather conditions. Your solar consultant might probably have educated you about the pros and cons of heavy snowfall on the solar panel sheets - whether or not they remain capable of absorbing sunlight to generate electricity. Although one may think that solar panels generally work efficiently during the summertime, in reality, solar photovoltaic panels possess the potential to absorb heat during all four seasons. Even if it is snowing, the solar panels installed at your house’s rooftop would effectively run to generate optimum electricity supply.

Do Solar Panels Work In The Snow? 

Yes! Even though the temperature goes low, the solar panels will continue to convert the available amount of sunlight into consumable power. However, it may be obvious that you will experience a lower supply output than you get in the summertime because of the fact that heavy snowfall and winds can create a sheet of snow on the solar panel sheets. Such thick frost does not allow the solar panels to absorb as much sunlight as they are capable of, and therefore, you get a lower power supply. 

How can I keep my Solar panels safe during winters? 

Safeguarding your solar panels from extreme freezing weather conditions is significant when you need the complete system to keep going for some more years, so it would be essential to take great care of it. In order to keep them safe, make sure to follow this guide: 

  1. First, make sure that the tilt angle of solar panels is against the snow angle so much of the snow does not accumulate on the panel surface.

  2. Make an effort to offload your power supply, and promote optimum usage of electricity during the wintertime. It also includes limiting the ghost load which generally happens due to plug-ins, for instance, you leave the television turned on without anyone watching it.

  3. Switch to lighter, power-efficient light bulbs and replace the high-consuming lighting systems to make sure you consume limited or required power.

  4. Keep an eye on the battery performance of your solar power generator and make sure to not let its temperature fall drastically.

  5. Use a digital thermostat to maintain the average heating temperature of the home for better insulation.

Additionally, follow these points by heart to keep your solar power panels in workable conditions for a longer period:

    • Use a roof rake - Roof rakes are pretty efficient in clearing off stuff from rooftops, especially if they are positioned on a tilt angle. You can get a longer roof rake to clear the thick sheet of snow, or leave off your rooftop and stimulate them to work properly. It is always a good idea to manually shed the settled snow from the rooftop to avoid damage caused by ice dams.

    • Remove the snow every 2-3 days - It is suggested to put a lot of effort into the regular cleaning routine of your rooftops to make sure that ice dams do not prevent solar panels from functioning efficiently. Frequently removing the snow from the roofs is surprisingly easy as it is fresh snow and might not have settled, so it would be quite simple to rake it.

    • Blow warm air at your solar panels - Doing so will allow the stuck snow particles to come off and one can conveniently clean the solar panel surface. Such services are generally rendered by companies that offer solar consulting in Orlando. You can enlist experts to effectively blow warm air at your solar panel surfaces, even get them cleaned consistently.

    • Spray your solar panel with a hose - A water hose can surely be used to remove the dust, light snow, leaves, and other debris off your solar panels. The high-pressured product is beneficial especially when you’re washing the solar panels after a fresh snowfall. The pressure of the hose discharges the water with immense pressure, so it is important you carefully use it to spray your solar panels.

    • Use Solar Consulting for keeping them safer - Solar consulting in Orlando allows you to get insights about how to keep your solar panels in working condition for years, or how to operate them in heavy snowfalls, etc. Expert guidance is beneficial to get the guaranteed repair, replacement, and maintenance services and claim the in-warranty benefits from the product company. 

Takeaway…

Solar consulting made easy- thanks to Emerald Sun Energy, your one-stop solution to solar power panels. We provide guaranteed solar power panel services to our customers who aspire to switch to renewable sources of energy and want to contribute to Mother Earth. Our budget-friendly and convenient on-site service requests make us one of the best platforms to provide assistance in the solar journey. Contact our experts today and book an on-site visit so we can evaluate the required solar panel space your premise needs. Or request a callback from our website!

Solar Contractor - 02/03/2022

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