Are you considering going solar? This post tells you all about the benefits of going solar and how Smart Energy USA can help you.
Finding solar installers in Utah can be a daunting task: there are plenty of companies and they all seem to sell the same product. At Smart Energy USA we offer suggestions for what you should ask when looking for a solar installer, and we provide reviews of some reputable installers in Utah. This is the perfect time for going solar in UT.
How to find the right solar Installers?
For most people, the most important thing is finding an installer that is done right.
There are so many solar companies that all seem to offer the same deals, but there are also a lot of shady deals that you don't want anyone taking you for.
Make sure the company has a great track record and reviews prior to signing any contracts with them. For example Smart Energy USA has done thousands of installations, all rated at 4.5/5 or better on the many review sites that exist.
You may also want to ask your installer what warranties they offer. Smart Energy USA offers a 25 year product warranty on all parts, and a 25 year performance guarantee for solar production. There are lots of other great details about our company, but for now let's talk about why you should go solar.
We offer residential solar installation as well as commercial and we serve in Utah and in United States.
Why Go Solar?
There are many benefits to going solar starting with energy cost savings. Solar energy is in more popular than ever. The average American uses 23,000 kWh of electricity per year.
Considering that an average solar system capable of powering three average homes can power 30 percent of a home's total energy needs, that is a huge savings every month on your electric bill.
Going solar also means lower maintenance costs over the life of the panels. A competitor's subpar panel will fail at least once after 10 years, maybe more, whereas our high quality panels are guaranteed for 25 years of production.
Is is a great investment for your home and your wallet. The average home with solar panels produces more than 50% of their total electricity needs, and sells the excess electricity back to the grid for a profit.
After the initial cost of the panels and install, it costs about $0.04 per kWh to have your solar system producing your power, but since most homes only consume around 30kWh per month that means you pay just 45 cents a month for power that would cost you $2.
Another benefit to switch to solar is the amount of money you will save will be much larger than it seems initially. Think about all the money you'll save compared to what you're paying for electricity right now.
The power of renewable energy
The advantage of renewable energy is that it is mostly predictable. If you know you will be using 500 kWh of power this month, then you know exactly how much energy your solar panels will produce.
The unpredictability of fossil fuel sources mean that utilities can charge you for the energy that never comes. Smart Energy USA only charges the amount of energy your system can provide, so you save even more than expected.
Your energy cost savings are the major benefits of going solar. You can save $1800 or more per year if you're on the low end of the spectrum of solar installations.
For example, if you are using 25kWh of power, then our high efficiency panels will produce that much power every month. That equals nearly $1000 in savings each year at $0.04 per kWh of electricity.
Our solar panel systems pay for themselves in about 10 years, after that you're just making money.
Different types of solar systems
The different types of solar panels are a key factor of solar economics. There are three main types of solar panels:
- Monocrystalline
- polycrystalline
- amorphous
- Reactive
- thin film
- organic photovoltaics
- concentrators
- fluorescent
Most people will start out with a monocrystalline system that will produce the most energy per watt of panel for the first few years.
Incentives to go solar
The Utah tax credit is a great incentive to go solar. The Utah state legislature passed a state tax credit for solar panel systems in 2006.
The law was expanded twice since 2006, first in 2010 to include batteries and the expansion was signed by President Obama. As of 2016 it is still 30% of the cost of the system up to $2,500 per system. Federal tax credits are also available at 25% or 30% for residential systems, depending on the size.
This means you can save up to $5,000 for an average 5kW solar power system. That is a huge incentive and reason to go solar.
Solar panels can be installed on your home's roof or your yard. A rooftop installation is the most common and efficient way of going solar, but there are good reasons why you might want to consider a ground installation as well. Though we think rooftop solar makes the most sense right now, we'll give two reasons why ground installations might be suitable for some people.
Is going solar affordable? Solar panel systems are more affordable than ever, with the average system costing around $18,000 installed. And that is without incentives like tax credits and rebates.
When you take into account that the average system will save around $2800 on electricity costs per year, then you'll recoup the cost of the system in just over 10 years. That's not bad considering solar panel systems will last for over 25 years without maintenance costs.
People ask about Solar in Utah?
How much can you potentially save by switching to solar power?
The amount of money you can save by switching to solar power depends on your utility rate, your equipment cost and your installation costs. The general rule of thumb is that you'll save at least 50% in the long term by installing solar panels in Utah .
Where should we send your tailored quotes?
How many solar panels do I need?
Get Financing
We offer financing for our projects, and we can even get better rates that you would get from a bank. There are several financing options that makes going solar basically at no brainer.
How much do solar panels cost? Solar panels are not too expensive in general. The price of solar panels has come down over the last decade by at least 40% per watt, with some companies offering high quality US made panels for under $1 per watt.
Our 5kW system is just $16,000 total when you take in account all of the available incentives.
Solar in Utah
In Utah , the cost of energy is even higher, around 18 cents per kWh, so your annual savings are more than $2,800 if you're on the low end.
If you are currently looking to make some changes to your home, or are interested in solar power, ask us about our new solar tracker technology. We have some great resources on our website to help you learn about solar power and find out how much you can save with solar panels.
The Utah department of energy also has a great site that explains everything you need to know about the benefits of solar power and how much money you can save.
If you would like to learn more about Smart Energy USA and our efficiency solutions for your home, please give us a call today at 801-331-0251, or click here to schedule an appointment. We are one of the top solar companies in Utah and we have years of experience helping people to become energy independent.
Smart Energy USA: Best Utah Solar Installers!
Solar power is a great investment for your future. If you're looking to go solar, talk to the experts at Smart Energy USA today.
We can help you determine if solar power is right for you. We serve clients throughout Utah, including Provo , Salt Lake City, Ogden , West Valley City, Orem , Sandy , Draper , South Jordan and many more cities in Utah .
Our solar contractors are experts in their field and can help you determine if solar is right for your home. Call us today for a free, no obligation quote!