Happy Thursday!
Believe it or not, not every home is a good candidate for solar. When we work with homeowners, we need to look at
1) Is the roof structurally good?
The roof should be in good shape. A roof over 15 years old would need to be replaced before going solar. Luckily the Federal Tax Incentive would also apply to the roof in a solar build.
2) Is the solar aesthetically pleasing?
Some homeowners do not want panels on the front of the home. Fortunately in Florida, unless there is shade from a lot of trees, we can generally utilize all large roof areas.
3) Is the cost worth it?
Of course, this is the biggest question. It would not make sense to go solar if you ended up spending more for the system than you currently pay for your electric bill. It is best to think of solar as replacing one source of energy with another, rather than as an investment like a mutual fund or annuity. Yes there is a ROI on the system, just like there is on almost every home improvement project, but also with the added benefit of actual $ savings you get from free energy v the cost of labor, production, generation, and transportation of traditional energy sources (coal, oil, gas, nuclear). The difference is that with solar, you know exactly how much you will be paying, and we can design a flat payment plan that helps you budget and costs less than you're currently paying!
You also need to consider how long you plan on staying in your home. If this is your "forever home", it most likely is a "no-brainer" in Florida. If you think you'll be moving in 2-3 years, it probably wouldn't make sense.
Beyond that, you need to consider the Federal Tax Incentive. While you should always consult your tax advisor, the general rule of thumb is that you need to have taxable income to qualify for the incentive. As the incentive is 26%, it's a fairly large portion of the overall cost that the government will pay for
IF you qualify.
Luckily in Florida, we get so much sun, that most homeowners can still save money even without the Federal incentive!
Finally, you can always
Project Sunroof to see your home's solar profile. Not all recent homes will show, but most of you can see your home. Bright yellow is the best place on your home to put panels
Feel free to give me a call and we can see if solar is good for your home
Chris
321-960-0052
American Solar One - Your Central Florida
Solar Pro's