Solar energy has been becoming more and more popular lately. There are both pros and cons that come along with solar energy. However, it’s up for you to decide whether or not solar would be a good fit for your lifestyle and budget. You may be able to see a lot of savings if you get solar energy but on the flipside solar energy may not be right for your property.

What is Solar Energy?

When people refer to going solar, they are talking about installing solar panels to harvest energy from the sun. A solar panel is a grid that consists of wiring, silicon, and glass that can convert sunlight into a usable form of energy.

Pros of Getting Solar Panels

Let’s start with the positives that can come along with going solar. Benefits that people can see when going solar include:

• More Affordable Electric Bills
• Tax Benefits

More Affordable Bills

Solar energy may be able to reduce your monthly energy bills. That’s why many homeowners are surprised when they see a cheaper bill every month after they’ve gone solar. Aspects that impact affordability include the size of your home, how much energy you use, and the location of your home. You can check out how much you may be able to save by using a free tool online.

Tax Benefits

Both the federal government and state governments offer tax benefits for homeowners who choose to go solar. In fact, some homeowners that chose to install solar panels could claim 30% of the installation costs on their taxes! The amount of tax benefits varies by state so you want to confirm with your area.

Cons of Getting Solar Panels

Nothing is perfect. That is why there are some cons that come along with getting solar energy that you should be aware of like:

• Expensive upfront costs
• Location Requirements

Expensive Upfront Costs

Even though homeowners may be able to see a lower monthly payment, they still may be responsible for expensive upfront costs. Homeowners will need to deal with expenses like the equipment, the panels, the installation, the type of current, etc. Typical solar panel installations will require upfront costs averaging between $17,760 to $23,828.

Location Requirements

If you live in an area that rarely gets sunlight, then solar panels may not be a good option for you. That’s because these systems heavily rely on the location of the home. If the home is located in an area with no sun and limited space, then solar power may not be the best fit.