Benefits of Solar Panels in Hawaii

There are more benefits to solar power than you might think

If someone asked you, “What are some of the benefits of having solar panels on your home?” you could probably think of two or three right away. These would probably include:

• That you are having a positive effect on the environment and are not polluting the earth’s atmosphere with greenhouse gases, thereby improving the quality of the air we breathe.
• That you are saving money by taking advantage of the sun, a free power source. Best of all, it is a source that can never be completely depleted.
• You become far less dependent upon your power company, and no longer at their mercy when the next spike in power bills happens (and trust us, it will happen). Even though new energy reserves are being taken advantage of, the sheer amount of energy consumption by the average American consumer makes continuously rising power bills nearly a certainty.

However, there are plenty of other reasons you might not have considered. For example:

• During a power outage that leaves your neighbors without electricity, your solar panels could supply you with a sufficient amount of power to keep the essential electric appliances working.
• Once the solar panels are installed it takes very little maintenance to keep them going, and they are fairly simple to install if you know what you’re doing. Most solar panels offer a long warranty (around 20 years) – and they generally last longer than their warranty suggests.
• You can be the beneficiary of some fantastic tax breaks and incentives, though these very greatly depending upon where you live.
• By installing solar panels on your residence, it more often than not increases the value of the home.

The benefits of solar power are many … and with the financial benefits added into the mix, it is no wonder that so many Americans are opting for “becoming their own electric companies.”

Cost – Don’t worry, there are great incentives here in Hawaii for Solar Panels.  Read through the next section!

Solar panels aren’t cheap, but they’re worth every penny!

One of the first (if not the first) questions someone interested in a solar electric system for their residence is, “How much will it cost?”

There simply is no standard answer to this question because there are so many things you have to take into consideration before even beginning to formulate these results.

Here is a list of just some of the things you’ll need to think about:

• Your specific location in reference to the sun: The sun can shine a different amount of time at your home than another house in a different location.
• The amount of electricity you currently use: Some people are very frugal, others are not. Look on your most recent power bill to estimate how much power you use.
• Where the panels will be installed on your home: If you’re fortunate, you’ll be able to install them facing the south, where they’ll get the most sun.
• The thickness of the panels you want: The thicker, the better. Just remember that, as the old adage says, you get what you pay for.
• Where you live: This is important, because there are all kinds of incentives and tax breaks available to you, but it varies significantly based on where you live.
• What you’ll be able to afford at first: The upfront cost is substantial, no matter how many incentives or tax breaks you get.
• The size of your home: This will help you figure out how many panels you need.
• Your ability to perhaps build the panels yourself: You’ll have to do the research to figure out how to do it, but if you can it can cut your costs by as much as about 50%.

Whether you are seeking to save money long-term due to less (or no) dependence upon your power company; or simply trying to do the right thing by supporting the country’s effort to move toward alternative energy sources, cost is almost always a major factor. Do your due diligence before you buy, and you could save big.

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Incentive

Solar incentives vary wildly by geographical location, but here in Hawaii, Solar Panels are greatly subsidized.  We have one of the best programs to help the installation costs in the nation.

Over the last 30 years, the Average American’s power bills have gone up at an annual clip of nearly seven percent. This explains why more and more people are exploring the possibility of going to solar power – and becoming the owner of their own power plant, so to speak.

When you purchase and install a solar system for your home or office, you are essentially paying today (at a discounted price) for energy you’ll be using for years to come. As the power companies’ energy rates continue to increase in the future, so will the savings for those who make the switch.

Still, solar power comes with a price; after all, solar energy doesn’t harvest and harness itself, so it takes equipment to bring about this amazing process.

Because this solar equipment can often be expensive, the government has adopted special incentives to help enterprising individuals defray these costs. State and federal financial incentives, grants, loans, rebates and other enticements are available for interested parties to take advantage of.

Click here for Hawaii Solar Panels installation incentive.