With the cost of electricity, especially in El Dorado County, Photovolatic Panels or Solar Energy in homes is looking better and better. We put our 6.2kw solar system in four years ago and our electriciy bill went from an average of $600 per month to an average of $1000 per YEAR. We still have an older pool pump that is not very energy efficient so are expecting our bill to go down even more once we replace it.
When we put our system in there were not many options. Today there are many. Here are a few:
New Construction
I am seeing options for solar energy in new construction homes in El Dorado Hills and throughout the Sacramento Valley. Some builders are offering a minimal system as a standard item included with the home price and have an option where the buyer can purchase buy more panels. Others are offering solar as an option still but where buyers would pay for their panels. I highly recommend solar power but check with a solar company to evaluate the cost you pay for it as an option verses having it put in afterward.
Increasing the Size of your System
If you bought a home with solar and are finding the system is too small and would like to increase the size of your system there are options for you as well but alot depends on the size of your inverter and your current panels. Here is a great article from the Solar Company on adding Solar Panels to an existing system.
Lease vs. Purchase
In general it costs more to purchase a system but currently, you can do either for no money down and low payments. However, there are different pros and cons to each choice that you will want to consider when trying to decide which route to take. When it comes to selling your home, a purchased solar system goes with the house like any other upgrade you may have put in. A leased system can be transferred to the new owner but will be dependent on the credit qualifications of the new owners. Again talk with a solar specialist that can explain the differences in detail and help you make that decision.
With as much sun as we have here in California, using Photovoltaic Panels and Solar Engery in our homes is a no brainer!
Hello DeeDee and I love all this solar panel stuff! This friend of mine that lives in Las Vegas has 10 acres and powers his home and 3 surrounding neighbors homes. His power is free and he also gets a kickback from the power company.
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