Not only is the void over your head shingle-deep, but it’s also a potential source of Home solar panels. Your roof has been enjoying free energy without doing anything while you’re busy complaining about your monthly electricity bill. It’s time to work that lazy sun worshipper.
The best silent companions are contemporary solar panels. They will put in more effort than a caffeinated squirrel gathering nuts for the winter, and they never take vacations or call in sick. The technology of today is so sophisticated that it can extract energy from a dreary afternoon like lemon juice.
The shock of the sticker? It’s not what you recall from ten years ago. Once the price of a luxury automobile, these systems now cost around the same as a good used car. Most configurations pay for themselves in five to seven years thanks to all the tax benefits and incentives that are available. Then? Decades of unadulterated wealth as your neighbors continue to support the power company’s operations.
Most homes are operational within two to three days of installation, which is quicker than you may imagine. The actual delay? Awaiting permission from your utility company. They go as quickly as a snail lugging goods uphill.
“But what about storms?” Please. Hailstones are the breakfast for these panels. They ignore flying debris, hurricane gusts, and that one neighbor who hasn’t trimmed their oak tree yet. They only operate at 70% capacity on cloudy days, which is still preferable to you after three margaritas at the workplace picnic.
The true magic happens with net metering. When not in use, dump extra electricity into the grid, and then use those credits at night. You may even receive payments from some utilities. It’s like having a savings account that keeps growing while you’re at work every sunny afternoon.
Although they are available, battery backups are still the designer jeans of solar power; they are lovely to have but not necessary unless your power outage occurs more frequently than your adolescent’s mood swings.
Panels can be leased with no down payment, but the cost will increase over time, just like when renting an apartment. Purchasing entirely will save you a lot of money in the long run, if you can afford it.
Unbeknownst to most people, those panels also serve as a massive sun shield for your home. By July, your attic may finally feel less like Satan’s sauna, giving your air conditioner a chance to survive.
Still unsure? Obtain three quotations. The figures will either persuade you or infuriate you over all the money you’ve been spending. In either case, you win out.
All this time, the sun has been free. It’s literally raining down from the sky, so perhaps quit using middlemen to deliver it. Your roof is prepared to earn its keep; the only question is, are you prepared to oversee it?