If you are tired of paying high energy bills and interested in supporting the environment, a home solar energy system may be an option. Solar lights produce no pollution and have no harmful environmental effects. The popularity of residential solar energy has been steadily growing. Solar energy use has surged at about 20% yearly over the past 15 years. In 2006, U.S. solar installers were installing new systems every 80 minutes; by 2013, new systems were installed every four minutes.
Solar Energy Isn’t Only Good for the Earth, It’s Good for the Economy
Major brands and large companies have been using solar power for years in order to help lower operating costs and increase profits. In 2013 over 32,800 facilities throughout the country used commercial solar energy.The Solar Power industry is also growing, Currently there are about 2,206 businesses in the United States that provide solar panel installation services. According to The Solar Foundation’s 2013 Census, there are about 143,000 solar workers in the U.S., a twenty percent increase from the year before.
Solar Power is Affordable
What this means for the consumer is that the costs of installing solar power in the home are dropping and the benefits of solar energy are rising.The cost of solar panels has fallen approximately 100% since 1977. Solar panels today are about half the price they were in 2008. Solar panels are very durable. Once installed, a solar power system requires little or no maintenance. The system can provide electricity quietly and cleanly for 25 to 40 years. Solar energy for homes can reduce electricity bills drastically.
State Solar Incentives for Homeowners
Many States are providing solar incentives to homeowners. For example Massachusetts has a 100% 20-year property tax exemption on solar power systems. In 2013, Massachusetts installed 237 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 4th nationally and with 581 MW of solar energy currently installed it ranks 5th in the country in installed solar capacity. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 94,100 homes. For more facts on solar energy contact a local residential solar technology company; they will be able to inform you of any local solar incentives programs in your area.