Alabama Solar Information

Pros and Cons of Buying Solar Panels in Alabama

Advantages:

• Relatively short payback period.

  The solar payback period is the time it takes a homeowner to earn back their initial investment in the solar power system through electricity savings. Some of the factors that play a role in a shorter payback period are lower solar costs, high electricity prices, or strong solar programs and incentives. Nationwide, the average solar payback period is just under 8 years. The payback period for Alabama is a little longer than the nation’s average and is about 15 years.

• After the payback period, solar power is nearly free.

• Once your solar power system is paid off, you are guaranteed to get many years of free electricity.

• Great savings on a monthly electric bill.

  You can expect to start saving on your monthly utility bill, once your solar power system begins degenerating electricity. What it means is that you become less dependent on your local utility company and their utility rates, which are highly influenced by inflation. Over the course of 25 years, you can anticipate savings over $15,000 in Alabama.

• Helping the environment since solar energy is clean, sustainable, and renewable.

  Sunlight is abundant almost anywhere on the planet and is ready to be collected without causing damage to the natural environment. Solar energy is truly clean, renewable, and sustainable power source, besides it can save you a lot of money. It is proven that using solar energy instead of fossil fuels decreases our carbon footprint by reducing air and water pollution.

• Very low maintenance.

  A solar energy system does not include any moving parts in its assembly so essentially, there is no wear and tear with their operation. Due to this, solar panels are also completely silent when working. The only maintenance that they need is the occasional cleaning to keep them free of dirt and debris.

• Excellent warranty protection.

  The majority of the solar panels today come with two types of warranties: performance guarantee and extended product warranty. Extended product warranty guarantees any repairs of defective equipment or breakage over their lifespan. The performance warranty guarantees optimal energy production for at least 25 years.

• Increase in the property value.

  Recently, studies by several real estate companies presented that installing solar panels on the roof of your house definitely increases the value of the property. On average, adding a solar energy system will raise your house value by 4.1%. Additionally, not only houses with solar installations sell at higher prices but they also sell faster than the houses without solar systems.

Disadvantages:

• The possible high initial cost.

  Even though the cost of solar energy system installation reached the lowest it has even been in years and keeps declining, the initial expenses of purchasing and installing a PV system might seem quite high for many people. Luckily, residents of Alabama can take advantage of various federal and state tax programs and rebates, offered by utilities. This will significantly cut down the price of switching to solar.

• Must have a large, open area for installation.

  The installation of an average size residential solar panel system requires large, open space on the roof. That area has to be free of any shade from trees or other buildings for the solar system to work properly. At times, this situation becomes problematic for some homeowners. Luckily, you can also install the solar panels on the ground, provided they do have direct access to sunlight.

• Must be a property owner to install

  Unfortunately, today, the solar benefits are not yet available to renters, people with low-income, or people without a job. Solar power system installations are mostly available to homeowners with good credit and good income.