Why You Should Get Solar Panels For Your Home
Green energy is a hot topic worldwide, and solar panels are a large part of the market for
producing green energy. Using solar panels to generate electricity for residential homes has been on the rise since 2008; heck, someone in your Maryland neighborhood is most likely using solar panels.
You might be wondering if going solar is worth it in Maryland. According to the Maryland dot Gov website, solar energy capacity in Maryland has quadrupled from 258 megawatts to 1000 megawatts since 2015. Maryland is set on a path to 100% clean electricity by 2040 with zero carbon emissions. So now is a great time to get solar panels in Maryland with the many incentives locally and nationally.
What Are The Benefits Of Solar Panels?
Of the many benefits, one of the most important is that solar power is green energy, which means it is pollution-free and creates no greenhouse gasses after installation. There are many other benefits of residential solar panels in Maryland, including:
- You can earn tax credits and rebates
- You can reduce or even eliminate your energy bills
- Solar panels are low maintenance
- Reduces the dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil
- Creates jobs right here in Maryland
- Can be installed virtually anywhere
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How Do Residential Solar Panels Work?
The simplest explanation is that solar panels take the energy from the sun and turn it into usable energy, typically in the form of electricity. The residential technology that makes this work is photovoltaics or PV. This technology is the solar panels you have seen around a field or rooftop that collect the sun’s rays. These panels take the photons from the sunlight, absorb them into the cells in the panel then turn them into electric fields that create usable electricity. The
electricity is then transferred to an inverter, which converts the direct current DC to usable alternate current AC electricity.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last In Maryland?
Solar panels, like any equipment exposed to the elements, will have some degradation over time. This degradation rate is approximately .5% per year for a solar panel in Maryland. This means that in about 20 years, your solar panels will still convert at around 85% compared to when they were new.
The first modern solar panel is still working after 60 years, and quite a few systems are pushing 30+ years. With improvements in technology, newer solar panels can likely last in Maryland longer than you will be in your home.
Will Solar Panels Work On My Maryland Roof?
Maryland is the 18th-ranked state in the country with solar installations; with this in mind, you will have to determine the direction your roof faces and how many hours of sunlight it receives. Knowing that Maryland has approximately 202 sunny days a year, it can be an excellent choice to put solar on your roof. South-facing roofs are the best for solar panels in Maryland as they will get the most sun year-round.
The last thing to consider is if your roof will support the weight of solar installation. According to Forbes Home, the average weight solar panels add to a roof is two to four pounds per square foot. We recommend doing any repairs to your roof before you have solar installed, as doing the repairs after solar installation would be more difficult.
Do You Really Save Money With Solar Panels?
Solar panels are like an investment, you pay now to purchase and install, and you get long-term benefits in savings. The maintenance and upkeep of solar panels is minimal, and solar panels are known to last more than 30 years. Even if you didn’t take advantage of any solar rebates or solar incentives and install an $11,000 6 kW Solar System you will get a savings of about $19,000 over twenty years.
If you want green energy and can afford the up-front cost, you will reap the rewards over time.
Are There Solar Rebates And Incentive Programs In Maryland?
Several incentives exist to install solar panels in Maryland, including the Maryland-Eligible Renewable Energy Credit (REC), which has monetary value and can be traded or sold with Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. Solar RECs are sold to electricity suppliers in Maryland so they can meet their obligations under the law, or the electricity supplier will have to pay a Solar Alternative Compliance Payment.
Some other incentives in Maryland are:
- Solar has dropped in price by 43% over the last five years in Maryland
- Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
- Solar Energy System Property Tax Exemption
- Solar Panel System Sales Tax Exemption
- Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program
Can I Get Free Solar Panels In Maryland?
While no program in Maryland pays the total cost to install solar energy systems, you may find that if you don’t have the upfront cost, you might be a good candidate for a solar lease. What a solar lease is, the homeowner does not own the panels; they just rent out their roof space to the solar company. The solar company takes on the cost of the solar equipment and installation, and you will still have to make regular payments for the duration of your lease.
Maryland does have a Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program that will give you a $1000 rebate for installing solar panels minimum of 1kW-DC and for installation of solar shingles with the same minimum of 1kW-DC.
Every little bit helps, and going green with home solar panels in Maryland is a great way to help reach the goal of 100% clean electricity by 2040! Think of it as an investment into your and Maryland’s future. Give Prestige Restoration a call today to discuss solar panels and see if it is a viable solution for
your Maryland home. 410-299-9535
