DIY Solar Panels: Are They Worth It? (2024 Guide)

07 Oct.,2024

 

DIY Solar Panels: Are They Worth It? ( Guide)

How To Find the Best Solar Panels

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How To Find the Best Solar Panels

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DIY Solar Panels: Are They Worth It? ( Guide)

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Written by Tamara Jude + 1 other Reviewed by Roger Horowitz

Tamara Jude

Tamara Jude is a seasoned content writer with more than seven years of experience in research and content production. She specializes in the solar energy, home warranty, and windows categories. Her interest in home improvement began as a child, when she regularly completed home projects alongsid&#;

See full bio Roger Horowitz

Roger is the Director of Go Solar Programs at Solar United Neighbors. He has been in the solar industry for more than three years after a decade of entrepreneurship. With a background in community organizing, Roger is dedicated to empowering communities to go solar.

Roger combines his passion&#;

See full bio

Solar panels are an appealing way to make your home more eco-friendly and reduce your monthly energy bills. However, they&#;re expensive to install, with a large portion of the cost going toward labor. Do-it-yourself (DIY) solar panels have become increasingly popular as a result, but this is a complex project that requires knowledge and skill. In fact, we surveyed 1,000 homeowners and found that less than 0.3% chose to install their panels themselves.

We&#;ve spent more than 770 hours researching the best solar panels available, including DIY solar kits. Our guide explains what a DIY solar panel project entails and explores whether it&#;s worth the money you save, compared to the return on investment for standard solar systems.

Pros

Helps you save money on solar panel installation

Gives you more control over the installation process

Lets you design your own solar power system

Cons

Requires a lot of expertise, and mistakes can lead to roof leaks or damage

Is a highly time-consuming project

Isn&#;t backed by a warranty

4 Best Solar Companies of

Solar Panel Cost

One of the primary appeals of DIY solar panels is that you can save money. According to EnergySage, solar panels cost an average of $29,410 for a 10-kilowatt (kW) system. Roughly half of that cost goes toward labor, overhead, margin, customer acquisition, and other costs that do not apply to a DIY solar power installation. Your overall cost for DIY solar depends on factors like where you live and whether or not you need solar batteries along with a charge controller that manages them. Many customers save $5,000 or more on DIY solar panels compared to the cost of professional solar installers.

However, professionally installed solar panels come with a few benefits that can help offset the higher price:

  • Wholesale discounts: Professional installers get better deals on solar panels and other equipment. You will likely pay more for the same components if you buy them yourself.
  • Financing: Many solar companies offer financing options to make your project more affordable. Getting a loan for a DIY project will be significantly harder, so you may have to pay the full cost upfront.
  • Warranties: Professionally installed solar panels typically come with a warranty from both the manufacturer and the installer. These warranties can save you money if something goes wrong with your system in the future.

    Tax incentives:

  • Peace of mind: An experienced installer can maximize the reliability and efficiency of your solar system. For most homeowners, that extra assurance justifies the higher cost.
  • Convenience: Installing your own solar panels requires a significant time investment. Professional installation costs more but saves you time, hassle, and risk.
  • Tax incentives: Federal and state governments, utility companies, and municipalities offer a variety of incentives to lower solar installation costs. However, DIY installations may not qualify for many of them.

Quick Tip

  • One example is the

    federal solar tax credit

    , which provides a tax reduction equal to 30% of your DIY solar panel system installation costs. If your tax liability is lower than the deduction, it will roll over to the following year.

    If your utility company offers net metering, which allows grid-tied solar homeowners to sell excess energy back to their utility company, DIY solar installations can take advantage of that too.

    Find out which tax credits, cash rebates, Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), and property tax exemptions apply to DIY installations.If your utility company offers net metering, which allows grid-tied solar homeowners to sell excess energy back to their utility company, DIY solar installations can take advantage of that too.

Solar Panel Installation

It&#;s possible to install solar panels on your own, but DIY solar installation requires serious know-how and tools. Some solar companies design solar panel kits targeted toward DIYers. However, these kits are often meant for small builds, such as converting a shed, RV, or boat. 

Installing a solar energy system requires knowledge of electrician work. You&#;ll have to work on your roof and with buried wires. The stakes are high for a mishap; crossed wires can malfunction and even cause electrical fires. Additionally, it may be illegal for you to do this work without a professional, depending on your municipality&#;s zoning laws. Many zoning laws also prohibit installing off-grid solar energy systems. 

DIY solar panels work best for small projects or to supplement a traditional energy source. If you want to power your home with solar, we recommend hiring one of the top solar companies to design and install your system.

Solar Panel Maintenance

Professional solar companies include a warranty with installation that protects your investment if there&#;s a malfunction or installation error. They&#;ll complete repairs or replacement if necessary and may even cover the cost.

DIY solar panel installation doesn&#;t come with this support. Once the solar system is setup, however, regular maintenance is low. Solar panels require cleaning every few months, which can be done by rinsing them with a garden hose. If you lack the technical expertise to identify issues with solar panels, hiring a professional to inspect your panels once each year is a good idea. Similarly, if your solar panels are damaged and require repairs beyond your technical ability, you will need to hire a professional to resolve the issue.

How To Find the Best Solar Panels

You&#;ll need to consider many factors when selecting the best solar panels for your project, including the panel type, efficiency rate, and warranties. We&#;ll go over each of these factors in more detail below. A solar panel manufacturer can help you with your selection, but hiring an installer is the best way to ensure you get the right panels for your project. Racks and roof mounts to place your solar panels on and an inverter to convert solar energy into alternating current may also be necessary.

&#;If you work with a turn-key installer that communicates at each step of the process, the home solar installation should be easy and worry-free,&#; says Matt Johnson, co-owner of Namaste Solar. &#;A seasoned installer should handle all the logistics from design to permitting to finding all the incentives and rebates available.&#;

Our Top Solar Company Picks

Palmetto

4.4

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Palmetto Solar offers a wide range of quality solar products and excellent customer service, including , , and online chat options, an online service request portal, and a library of troubleshooting resources. Overall, Palmetto offers more customer support than other providers we reviewed, most notably through its tiered system protection plans and mobile app.

How We Scored Palmetto Solar

Palmetto earned 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company scored more points for its comprehensive service selection and long-term protection plans. It lost some because of its standard warranty options and lack of production guarantee. 

  • Solar Equipment and Services (20 out of 25 points):

    Palmetto offers an excellent selection of solar services, including solar battery and electric vehicle (EV) charger installation, energy audits, and active monitoring.

  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (16 out of 25 points):

    The company&#;s warranty options don&#;t stand out as much as Sunrun&#;s. It offers industry-standard coverage for 25 years on products and 10 years on labor.

  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (14 out of 15 points):

    Palmetto has a highly positive online reputation on popular review sites such as the BBB. The company also screens its installers to ensure they&#;re certified with the

    North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

    (NABCEP).

  • Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points):

    Palmetto doesn&#;t provide in-house financing but offers all possible payment methods.

  • Industry Experience (8 out of 10 points):

    Palmetto holds a decent amount of experience, with 15 years in the industry.

  • State Availability (8 out of 10 points): The company serves 17 states.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Gives access to customer support via , chat, , and app

Offers a tiered system protection plan

Provides an online solar savings calculator to estimate potential savings

Cons

Limits its active monitoring services to three years

Shorter roof leak and workmanship coverage than other installers

Some online reviews mentioned permitting and installation delays

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Palmetto&#;s warranty protection includes a 25-year panel warranty, 12-year inverter warranty, 10-year workmanship warranty, and five-year roof penetration warranty.

Financing Options

&#; Full purchase
&#; Lease
&#; Loan
&#; PPA

State Availability

Available in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia

Reputation and Reviews

Palmetto Solar received Solar Power World&#;s Most Forward-Thinking Contractor award in . Inc. magazine recognized the company the same year with a Power Partner Award. Palmetto also aims to provide solar energy to underserved communities with its Get Solar, Give Solar program.

Palmetto Solar is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating from the site. While reading online reviews, we noticed that homeowners praised Palmetto for its dedicated installation managers and quality systems but mentioned very long waiting periods for permitting, plus installation delays.

Blue Raven Solar

4.4

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Blue Raven Solar has one of the best reputations for reliability and trustworthiness. It has won awards for its team and CEO, and customer reviews report great customer service and prompt installations. The company also stands out for its in-house financing, which includes 18 months of free solar energy.

Out of all solar brands in the market, 6.5% of our survey respondents chose Blue Raven.

How We Scored Blue Raven Solar

Blue Raven received 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our rating system. The company scored the most points for its customer service reputation and warranty coverage. It also earned points for providing all standard solar panel services but lost some due to its limited financing options and lack of roof leak coverage.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points):

    Blue Raven offers solar panel and battery installation, active monitoring services, and energy audits. However, it doesn&#;t offer solar roofs, EV chargers, or additional roofing services. 

  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (22 out of 25 points):

    The company offers top-of-the-line warranties, including a 25-year workmanship warranty. The company earned points fo providing a performance guarantee, but its guarantee is shorter than many other providers. However, it doesn&#;t provide any roof leak coverage. 

  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points):

    Blue Raven has high customer review ratings on its BBB profile and other popular review sites. The company uses in-house installers but doesn&#;t ensure they&#;re NABCEP-certified, which made it lose some points in this category.

  • Financing Options (12 out of 15 points):

    Blue Raven offers some of the best in-house financing of the companies this list, but it limits this financing to solar loans. You may want to consider a different provider, such as Sunrun, if you&#;re looking for a lease or PPA.

  • Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points):

    Blue Raven has less experience than other providers, with only 10 years in the industry.

  • State Availability (7 out of 10 points): The company limits its service area to 19 states.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Offers SunPower&#;s high-efficiency panels and storage options

Provides a unique in-house financing option which includes 18 months of free solar energy

Recognized as one of the industry&#;s most reputable solar companies

Cons

Offers one of the shortest production guarantees among our reviewed companies

Some customer reviews mention poor communication

Workmanship warranty falls slightly below the industry standard

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

A Blue Raven system has a 25-year product warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.

Financing Options

&#; Full purchase
&#; Loan

State Availability

Available in: Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington

Reputation and Reviews

Blue Raven has won numerous awards from Comparably, a site known for its company culture and reputation reviews. It also ranked No. 20 on Glassdoor&#;s Best Place to Work in the USA in .

Blue Raven is accredited by the BBB and currently holds an A+ rating. We noted that customers praised the knowledgeable staff and prompt installation but cited poor communication after completing projects. We analyzed several consumer reviews and found that some of these issues stem from the company&#;s financing department and third-party installers.

Read our review of Blue Raven Solar for more information.

Freedom Solar Power

4.4

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Freedom Solar Polar is a SunPower Master Dealer that provides high-efficiency solar systems. The company has 17 years of solar industry experience and partnerships with certified installers. It&#;s one of the few solar companies to offer grid-tied, ground-mount, carport, and off-grid solar solutions.

Nearly 7% of our survey respondents chose Freedom Solar Power for their installation.

How We Scored Freedom Solar Power

Freedom Solar scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company earned most of its points because of its comprehensive warranty coverage and reputable customer service. Its biggest drawback is its basic service selection.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (16 out of 25 points):

    Freedom Solar has minimal service options compared to companies such as Elevation or ADT Solar. It offers solar panel and battery installation with active monitoring, but that&#;s it. We do like that it provides in-house installers to do the work. 

  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (22 out of 25 points): Freedom Solar

    received many points for its 25-year warranty, which covers panels, workmanship, and performance.

  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (14 out of 15 points):

    The company has a highly positive online reputation, including a strong BBB rating and accreditation, positive customer reviews, and no alerts or active lawsuits. 

  • Financing Options (10.5 out of 15 points):

    Freedom Solar only offers cash purchases and loan options with no in-house financing. 

  • Industry Experience (9 out of 10 points):

    The company holds 17 years of experience in the residential solar industry.

  • State Availability (6 out of 10 points): Freedom Solar limits its service area to five states.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Offers rooftop, ground-mount, carport, and off-grid installations

Provides preconstruction consultations with its home contractors

Works with SunPower to install high-efficiency solar systems

Cons

Called out for underperforming solar systems in customer reviews

Covers a limited service area

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from 潞安.

Doesn&#;t offer many system customizations

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Freedom Solar provides a comprehensive 25-year warranty covering product, workmanship, and panel performance. 

Financing Options

&#; Full purchase
&#; Loan

State Availability

Available in: Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

Reputation and Reviews

Freedom Solar made Inc.&#;s Regionals : Southwest list for the fastest-growing private companies in America. Solar Power World chose the company as a Top Solar Contractor nine times.

Freedom Solar is BBB accredited and holds an A+ rating from the organization. The company has many positive reviews on its BBB profile for its consistent installation updates and well-trained staff. However, negative reviews highlight issues reaching customer service.

Momentum

Best Installation Process

4.4

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Pros and Cons

Pros

Helps customers enroll in government savings programs and handles permitting paperwork

Offers seven solar panel brands for better customization

Partners with Enphase to offer a solar battery option

Cons

Doesn&#;t provide pricing information online

Not available nationwide

Warranty and Financing

Warranty options:

  • 25-year product warranty
  • 25-year workmanship

Financing options:

  • Full purchase
  • Loan
  • Lease
  • PPA

States Available

  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • Nevada
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas

Knowing the different

types of solar panels

available can help you narrow down your options.

  • Monocrystalline: solar panels are the most popular. They&#;re the most efficient and have a simple, low-profile design ideal panels for residential homes. Monocrystalline panels are created from pure silicon and come in two different variations: passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) and bifacial. PERC panels have a conductive layer added to the backside of cells to increase energy absorption. PERC panels are most commonly used in rooftop solar systems. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most popular. They&#;re the most efficient and have a simple, low-profile design ideal for residential homes. Monocrystalline, or mono, panels are created from pure silicon and come in two different variations: passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) and bifacial. PERC panels have a conductive layer added to the backside of cells to increase energy absorption. PERC panels are most commonly used in rooftop solar systems.
  • Bifacial:

    Bifacial panels absorb light on both sides at a higher rate than PERC panels. For this reason, they&#;re typically reserved for ground-mount systems that expose both sides of the panels.

  • Polycrystalline:

    Polycrystalline solar panels use older technology than mono panels and are a cheaper option. However, these panels are less efficient than monocrystalline offerings and, in turn, require more panels to power your home.

  • Thin-film:

    Thin-film panels are the standard for small DIY solar panel kits. They&#;re also the among the

    cheapest solar panel options

    . The manufacturing process for these panels is less complicated, so they take little time to make. They&#;re also the least efficient panel type, but they have practical uses. Small DIY solar projects, such as RVs and small off-grid systems, use thin-film solar panels.

Our survey data shows that 28% of respondents chose monocrystalline panels, 48% chose polycrystalline, and 18% chose thin-film.

Solar panel efficiency is vital to your solar energy system&#;s performance.

A h

igher efficienc

y

indicate

s that the solar panel can convert a larger percentage of sunlight throughout the day. The more sunlight that gets converted, the more power your system generates to run your home. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) says solar panels typically fall between 16% and 22% efficiency. The most efficient panels cost the most, but they can be worth it because they&#;ll save you money on your electric bills in the

long term.

Standard solar panel warranties cover the product and its performance. Some companies provide comprehensive warranties that cover both the product and its performance in one contract. However, warranty coverage for DIY solar panels is limited since you&#;re taking on the installation yourself.

A standard product warranty lasts for 10&#;12 years. Some companies offer extended warranties for 25 or more years. Other companies only offer extended product warranties if you use one of their authorized dealers or installers. 

The standard performance warranty guarantees 90% production for 10 years and 80% through year 25. Some premium solar panels guarantee 90% or higher output for 25 years. These warranties typically include coverage for any dips in performance as well. If your solar panels are not performing to the standards outlined in your warranty, the solar installer will send you the required parts for free repair or upgrade.

The video below offers an overview of common factors you should consider when shopping for DIY solar panel kits: 

Our Conclusion

DIY solar panel installation is possible if you feel comfortable dealing with the issues outlined in this guide, but we only recommend it for small projects. Solar panel installation is complicated and can be dangerous, so you may prefer working with an installer. A professional can help you determine the correct number of panels for your project based on your budget and energy needs. If you do decide to install panels yourself, make sure to do your research and take the proper safety precautions.

Use our tool below to connect with reputable professional installers.

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FAQ About DIY Solar Panels

Are DIY solar panels worth it?

DIY solar panels are worth it if you have the expertise and tools for the project. They might not be worth it for a full-sized home, but they work well for small projects such as converting an RV or shed.

Is it cheaper to build your own solar system?

Yes, it&#;s cheaper to build your own solar panel system. Since you don&#;t have to pay for labor and other overhead costs, you could save $5,000 or more with a DIY system. However, installing solar panels is a complicated process with many possible mistakes, and you may have less access to cost-saving solar incentives.

How many solar panels will I need to run a house?

You will need 17&#;25 solar panels to run a house. The exact number varies depending on your annual energy usage, the number of peak sunlight hours in your area, and the wattage of the panels.

Our Rating Methodology

We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for solar providers is on a 100-point system based on five factors:

  • Payment options (40 points)

    : Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of the four options they provide.

  • Solar services (30 points)

    : Does the company provide in-house installation of solar panels and battery backups? Can the company also monitor energy production and perform energy-efficiency audits to ensure system performance? The more options available, the higher the score. 

  • Warranty options (10 points)

    : The success of a residential solar system depends on the workmanship, performance guarantees, and length of product coverage. The more warranties a company offers, the higher the score it receives. 

  • State availability (10 points)

    : We award the most points to companies with the broadest service area and state availability.

  • Reputation (10 points)

    : We factor in how the Business Better Bureau (BBB) scores each company. We deduct points for any alerts or pending lawsuits.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at .

Are Solar Panels Worth It? (And 7 Reasons Not to Buy Them)

Key takeaways

  • Solar panels are worth it for most homeowners, as long-term savings and increases in property value make up for the high initial installation costs. 

  • Whether solar panels are worth it depends on where you live, your budget, your roof&#;s characteristics, incentives, and how much energy you use. 

  • Solar panels are not worth it for everyone, including those who don&#;t spend a lot on electricity, don&#;t have the space for them, or plan on moving in the near future.

When are solar panels worth it?

Installing solar panels is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners because of the various benefits of solar energy. Solar panels can save you money on your electricity bills, and they typically pay for themselves in 10 years or less. Solar panels can even increase home value by an average of 6.8%!

Solar panels are best for people who live in good solar states with solar-friendly policies, like net metering and solar incentive programs. Homes with south-facing roofs and lots of unshaded space are also ideal for solar.

Homeowners with high electricity bills are among those who can benefit the most from going solar. The more money you spend on electricity, the more you can save by powering your home with solar energy. 

Solar panels are also a great source of clean energy. According to Columbia University, solar panels lower carbon emissions per acre than trees! Solar panels also reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help you live more sustainably.

With solar, you can go green and keep the green in your wallet &#; sounds worth it to us!

Factors to consider when deciding if solar is worth it

You need to consider a few key factors when figuring out if a solar panel installation is worth it for you, including:

  • Electricity rates: People who live in areas with high electricity prices can save more money than those who live in places with cheap utility rates. 

  • Electricity usage: Homes with high energy consumption can see substantial financial benefits from installing solar panels.

  • Solar panel costs and budget: The average cost to install a solar power system is about $19,000, and it may be even more if your home uses a lot of electricity! Even with financing options like solar loans, solar leases, and power purchase agreements (PPAs) to help with upfront costs, you need to consider your budget and see if a solar payment is something you can take on. 

  • Solar incentives and rebates: Some states and utility providers offer incentives and rebates that reduce the upfront solar system cost or provide extra savings as the solar panels generate power. The solar tax credit is the largest solar incentive and can lower solar energy system costs by 30% through a credit on your income taxes. You may even qualify for property tax exemptions. 

  • Local net metering policy: Solar panels save the most money in places where utilities offer net metering. Net metering policies provide homeowners with electricity bill credits equal to the retail rate of electricity and can completely eliminate monthly utility energy costs!

  • Location and environment: Solar panels work best in places with lots of sun exposure and cool temperatures. Cloud cover reduces the amount of solar energy a system produces but can still significantly reduce electricity costs. 

  • Roof design: Home solar panel systems should ideally be installed on south-facing roofs that don&#;t get shaded by trees or other buildings and have few obstructions like chimneys and skylights. 

Use this calculator to find out of if solar panels are worth it for your home

Why solar panels are not worth it for all homeowners

Of course, there are some scenarios when solar panels are not worth it. Here are seven reasons to hold off on getting solar panels.

1. Your roof isn&#;t suitable for solar panels

Home solar panel systems are nearly always placed on the roof. Most roofs possess the two necessary ingredients for solar panels: lots of sunlight and a surface to mount them on.

But not all roofs are good for solar.  Here are all the roof-related factors that could prevent a successful solar:

  • Your roof is too old: If your asphalt shingle roof is over 15 years old, you should get a roof replacement before installing solar. If you need to re-roof after installing solar, you&#;ll be forced to have the solar company remove the panels in the middle of their life, adding unnecessary cost and complexity.

  • You get too much shade: Consistent shade on your roof, whether from nearby trees or neighboring buildings, is bad news for even the best solar panels. Solar energy systems don&#;t perform well without direct sunlight.

  • Your roof isn&#;t ideally oriented: In North America, south-facing roofs are best, although east- or west-facing roofs can be just fine, as long as they don&#;t have too steep of a slope. 

  • Your roof is too small: The average home requires between 15 and 20 solar panels, which can take up 250 to 350 square feet of roof space. If the sunny portion of your roof is too small to fit enough panels, your solar savings will be much lower than you want them to be.

2. There&#;s nowhere else to put solar panels

The roof of your home is the most common site for solar panels &#; but it&#;s not the only place they can go. Homeowners who can&#;t get rooftop solar panels can get creative and find another site. 

Solar panels can be installed on a carport, gazebo, or pergola. If you have a significant amount of space, you can do a ground-mount solar installation, but beware of the added costs of concrete footings and trenching to bury wires between the installation and your home.

If you don't have a suitable roof or an alternative location, you&#;ll have nowhere to put the solar panels.

3. Your electricity costs are already low

Solar panels produce energy that homes can use instead of the electricity from the grid, reducing electricity bills. If you pay less than $75 per month for electricity, installing solar panels probably isn&#;t worth it for you.

There are many reasons you might have a small electric bill:

  • You have a small house.

  • You have a small household size.

  • Your home and appliances are energy efficient.

  • You enjoy low electric rates from your local utility.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, people who live in Massachusetts, California, or Rhode Island have some of the highest electricity rates in the country. Solar panels can save homeowners more money in these places than somewhere like North Dakota, where electricity rates are below average. 

Instead, consider alternate ways of supporting solar power, like subscribing to a community solar program, which offsets your usage with energy produced by a large solar farm and can still save you a small amount on your bills and support renewable energy.

4. You plan to move or sell your home

If you plan on leaving your current residence within the next few years, consider whether solar panels are a good investment now or if you should wait to buy solar until you move.

While it&#;s true that solar panels add value to your home, that&#;s only true if the solar is fully paid for. Signing up for a solar lease or PPA can make it more challenging to sell your home, and a solar loan will likely need to be paid off in escrow as a condition of the home sale. People love the idea of a solar home that keeps their energy bills low, but nobody is out there looking to buy a house with an additional solar payment tacked on.

Also, moving a solar panel system from one house to another is extremely difficult and expensive, so you should not consider that a viable option. Once solar panels have been installed on a roof, they should stay there for the entire usable lifespan (25 years or more).

5. You&#;re not eligible for incentives and rebates

Solar incentives and rebates can help reduce your initial investment in solar panels and make them even more attractive. 

The federal government offers a 30% federal tax credit to people who install solar panels on their property. BUT (yes, there&#;s a big BUT), the benefits of the federal tax incentive are limited for homeowners who don&#;t pay income taxes or who have a very low tax liability.

You&#;ll also want to know if your local utility company offers net metering. Net metering allows homeowners to receive full credit for all of the excess energy their solar panels produce and fully eliminates their monthly electric bill. 

Without net metering, solar panels are not nearly as worth it. 

6. Your quote appears too good to be true

You&#;ve heard the old saying: if it&#;s too good to be true, it probably is. These words definitely ring true when it comes to solar offers. 

Have you ever seen ads that promise &#;free solar panels?&#; They sound great until you realize that the only thing that&#;s free is the space on your roof that you give over to the solar company, which then sells you the energy produced by the solar panels on your roof. 

Explosive growth in the solar industry over recent years has attracted plenty of fly-by-night operations. While you're gathering solar quotes, you can spot these solar scammers if they have extremely low prices or promise that &#;you&#;ll get a huge check from the government.&#;

If it doesn&#;t feel right, it probably isn&#;t! Going solar with the lowest bidder who uses shady sales tactics is never worth it! You want a solar company that can answer all of your solar questions that you can trust will be there to support you for over 25 years. 

7. The economics aren&#;t right for you

You might come to the final step in your solar journey and find that solar panels just don&#;t make financial sense for you right now. It might be hard to hear (and it&#;s hard for us to say), but solar panels aren&#;t the right solution for every home every time. 

Again, reputable installers who plan to support their customers for decades don&#;t sell solar panels for the cheapest price. But that&#;s how it&#;s supposed to be. You wouldn&#;t hire someone to remodel your kitchen or build a giant beautiful deck on your home based solely on the fact they gave you the lowest price, right?

In good solar states, lawmakers have done their job to provide an environment in which any homeowner who wants solar energy can save money by doing so through net metering and solar incentives.

In other places, solar just isn't a good investment. Here, utility companies have chipped away at protections for people who want to go solar, and incentives are non-existent. Interest rates for solar financing can also be high and may not fit your budget. If you live in one of these places, you might find that going solar doesn&#;t pencil out for you.

Calculate how much money you can save with solar panels and see if it's worth it for you

How to determine if solar panels are worth it for you

You can look at a solar panel system&#;s payback period to understand if it is worth it. The solar payback period gives you an idea of how long it takes for solar panels to break even.

If a solar panel system's payback period is 12.5 years or less, going solar is worth it and will likely provide a good return on investment. In states with high electricity rates, solar panels can have an internal rate of return of over 20% &#; double the average return of a long-term index fund!

To find the payback period of a solar photovoltaic installation, you simply divide the total cost of solar panels after incentives and rebates by the annual solar utility bill savings. 

Let&#;s look at an example of a cost breakdown and payback period for solar panels installed in states with different electric rates:

Massachusetts

North Dakota

Solar system cost

$18,000

$18,000

Solar tax credit value

$5,400

$5,400

Annual solar energy production

7,804 kWh

8,292 kWh

Avg. cost of electricity

$0.29 per kWh

$0.10 per kWh

Avg. annual maintenance costs*

$186

$186

25-year solar savings**

$59,900

$12,260

Payback period

5.5 years

12.5 years

*Average annual maintenance costs estimated using data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory U.S. Solar Photovoltaic System and Energy Storage Cost Benchmarks, With Minimum Sustainable Price Analysis: Q1

**Average solar savings, less installation costs, assumes 3% annual electric rate increase, and 0.5% panel degradation

The solar panel system installed in Massachusetts, where electricity is about $0.29 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), can break even after just five years. Even though North Dakota gets more sunlight than Massachusetts on average, electricity rates are so much lower that the solar panels won&#;t pay for themselves until after 12.5 years. 

Don&#;t get us wrong, a 12.5 year payback period is still decent and the homeowner will see electricity bill savings, but solar panels pay for themselves much faster in places with high electric rates. 

Actual solar payback periods depend on the net metering policy in place, the amount of energy the solar panels produce, and local electricity rates. 

Find the right installer to make going solar worth it

Like any home improvement project, the quality depends largely on who completes it. Solar is an expensive investment, and you want to make sure you&#;re working with the best company possible. 

We know how important your solar investment is, and you don&#;t want to risk working with a company that won&#;t get the job done right. You also don&#;t want to work with a company that isn&#;t honest with you about whether or not solar is worth it for your home. 

That's where SolarReviews comes in. We connect homeowners with top local solar companies so they can start saving money on their electricity bills and reduce their carbon footprint by powering their homes with a clean energy source. 

Find trust solar installers near you and find out if solar panels are worth it

For more information, please visit mini solar system.

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