Frequently Asked Sync Energy Solar Questions.
Solar FAQ
Whether you have questions about the basics of switching to solar power or why Sync Energy stands above other solar installation companies, we have answers! Find the explanation to many of your queries about solar energy and Sync Energy in our FAQ. If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, please contact us—we’re happy to talk with you!
Going Solar, The Basics
Is going solar environmentally friendly?
When you decide to install solar power, there is a positive indirect effect on the environment. Solar energy is a renewable resource that replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources. Solar energy technologies provide obvious environmental advantages compared to other conventional energy sources. Some of these advantages include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the prevention of toxic gas emissions, the ability to reclaim degraded and unused land, a reduction of required transmission lines of the electricity grids, and the improved quality of water resources.
While sometimes it may be difficult to see the direct environmental impacts of going solar, if you step back and look at the big picture, solar energy is a powerful way we can support our planet. Our current energy resources are finite.
Making the switch to solar energy means you can collect and utilize a natural resource with unlimited potential without doing extra damage to the planet.
Is going solar environmentally friendly?
When a business owner or homeowner decides to make the switch to solar power, they take energy generation into their own hands. Most likely, you will not be wholly autonomous from the electricity grid when you install solar power, and there is nothing wrong with that. Having an electric company like Synergy as a backup can provide you with peace of mind, even if you use little to no power from them.
However, if you’re set on using solar to divest from the power grid entirely, we have a blog post that offers tips on how to do so and explains what to consider.
Electric companies will buy back the excess energy you do not utilize, which is called Net Energy Metering or NEM. In this way, solar energy can actually bring down the price of energy for everyone across the grid. When there is an increase in the amount of solar power being produced, the cost of energy during peak usage periods decreases. This is because the demand of energy the grid provides decreases.
Another step towards energy independence is being able to keep the lights on. A solar system alone won’t keep your power on, but if you have solar panels partnered with battery storage, you can stay up and running during rolling brownouts. Being energy independent can be your families and businesses’ solution.
The Cost Of Going Solar
How does your solar system pay for itself over time?
When you make the switch to solar, there is a “solar panel payback period.” This period is the amount of time it’ll take you to completely pay off your solar power system through what you save on your electricity bill. You can determine this by calculating the cost of your installation, minus any tax credits, incentives, or rebates. Then subtract your monthly energy bill savings until your total solar panel installation cost is covered.
What is the “Solar Investment Tax Credit?”
Aside from the adoption of clean energy, one of the biggest benefits to going solar is the savings. Currently, one way you accrue some of these savings is through the ITC, or the Solar Investment Tax Credit. This credit is a federal tax credit that allows you to deduct a percentage of the total cost of installing solar energy from your federal taxes.
The solar industry has grown substantially over the past decade and continues to boost the economy, generate new jobs, and create a better tomorrow. Essentially, the ITC is how our government says thank you for the growth of solar energy in our country. Currently, both residential and commercial solar customers can take advantage of the credit, but they have to act fast.
Does going Solar Increase my property value?
Good news! The Department of Energy reports that solar panels are viewed by prospective home buyers as upgrades, just like a renovated kitchen or a finished basement. In the great country of Australia, where more and more homes are running on the sun, a home with a solar system is an incentive for buyers to pay a premium. So yes, installing a solar energy system is proven to likely increase the value of your home.