The pros and cons of electric solar energy

On this blog, we talk a great deal about the advantages of electric solar energy. As a sustainable design provider, we may be partial, but we do what we do because ultimately, we feel the benefits are tremendous. As with anything, there are two sides of the coin, so to speak. Here’s a look at some aspects of electric solar energy which many consider a disadvantage.

Con: Electric solar energy is expensive

While the energy you consume that’s created by your solar panels is cheap, the installation of your system is costly. When many homeowners see the upfront price of 5 figures, many decide against installing these pricey systems.

Pro: Your net cost will actually be much lower! Thanks to federal tax credits, rebates from local utility providers, group discount programs, and power purchase agreements or solar leases, the final cost will be much lower. The federal tax credit alone for installing a residential electric solar energy system is 30% of the system’s cost!

Con: Electric solar energy is confusing

Yes, it’s true that many homeowners don’t know a lot about solar power, and likely don’t have any friends or neighbors who have installed a solar energy system. Terms like grid-tied, off the grid, inverter, and more can cause confusion when all you want to do is figure out if electric solar energy is right for you.

Pro: There are many resources you can look to for help. Every day, we educate homeowners on many aspects of solar energy, including how the system works, how it will affect them, and more. You can also look to many industry and government websites which have accurate information regarding the use of solar energy.

While there appears to be many cons relating to electric solar energy use, most concerns are easily dispelled. If you have questions about perceived disadvantages, call Smith Sustainable Design to address your solar energy concerns today.