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If you prefer to buy your solar energy system, solar loans can lower the up-front costs of the system. In general, a purchased solar system can be installed at a lower total cost than system installed using a solar loan, lease, or power purchase agreement (PPA). By using Energy Star appliances and other products in your home, you’ll need less solar energy to power your home.Ĭonsumers have different financial options to select from when deciding to go solar. It should also be noted that energy efficiency upgrades complement solar energy economically. Not only are the prices of panels dropping, so are the costs associated with installation, such as permitting and inspection-also known as “ soft costs.” All of SETO's funding programs are working toward improving the affordability of solar and making it easier for consumers to choose solar. The cost of going solar has dropped every year since 2009, a trend researchers expect to continue.

In some cities around the country, solar is already cost competitive with the electricity sold by your local utility. Check the National Utility Rate Database to see current electricity rates in your area. Your savings also depend on the electricity rates set by your utility and how much the utility will compensate you for the excess solar energy you send back to the grid. The amount of money you can save with solar depends upon how much electricity you consume, the size of your solar energy system, if you choose to buy or lease your system, and how much power it is able to generate given the direction your roof faces and how much sunlight hits it. The company's Community Solar Marketplace aggregates the many available options in one place and standardizes project information, allowing interested consumers to easily locate and compare multiple community solar projects in their area. Those interested in community solar can take advantage of a tool from SETO awardee EnergySage.

Costs associated with purchasing and installing a solar energy system are divided among all of the participants, who are able to buy into the shared system at a level that best fits their budget. Community solar allows multiple people to benefit from a single, shared solar array that can be installed on- or off-site. If a solar professional determines that your roof is not suitable for solar, or you don’t own your home, you can still benefit from solar energy. You should also consider the age of your roof and how long until it will need replacement. Typically, solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees, though other roofs may be suitable too. The size, shape, and slope of your roof are also important factors to consider. If there are trees near your home that create excessive shade on your roof, rooftop panels may not be the most ideal option. Solar panels are built to work in all climates, but in some cases, rooftops may not be suitable for solar systems due to age or tree cover.

Residential appliance installer practice test free