Residential Solar Panels

Photovoltaic panels have hit the residential sector. A mixture of state rebates and federal tax incentives have brought solar panels within reach of many homeowners. With so much talk about climate change, some people have taken it upon themselves to reduce their carbon footprint. In many situations owning solar panels is not just an environmental decision, it can be a business decision too.

Many factors can play into the decision to put solar panels onto your home. Regardless of your concern for the environment price is likely the largest factor. Many incentives and rebates exist, in fact you should not think of solar panels as having a certain cost, but rather as having a certain cost in your area after reviewing incentives. If the upfront cost of a solar installation remains too high, consider renting solar panels.

Availability, Feasibility

Often skipped over in a discussion of photovoltaic technology is the most basic of issues: can you actually put solar panels on your roof and get energy from them? To have any notable yield from solar panels you require a clear line-of-sight from your roof to the sun. Favorable weather is not as important as you would think to solar panels, but partial shadows are capable of completely knocking out a panel's energy output until the shadow has passed. A south-facing, angled roof is a great candidate. Roof slope though potentially helpful is not an absolute requirement because panels can easily be angled towards the sun.

Incentives

There is a 30% federal tax credit capped at $2000 going towards the installation and purchase of any photovoltaic system. Depending on where you live there may be a state incentive/rebate as well. In 2009 this limit will be lifted, check out the Fed's Energy Tax Credits for more information. Remember, always check with a solar expert in your area to get an accurate pricing estimate!

Solar Panels as an Investment

Did you know that solar panels might actually make you money? A small solar array could help offset grid power usage, a medium solar array could sustain your house, a large solar array could have you selling power back to the utility company. How long it takes for a solar panel to pay for itself varies widely, depending on how much energy it gets and how much power normally costs in your area. Most solar contractors will willingly provide you with a report detailing the value of a potential installation over time.