How Solar Panels Lower Your Energy Bills

Few places have as much to offer as Florida: the beaches, the sunshine, and the warm weather among them. When the rest of the country is shoveling snow, we’re often wearing shorts and enjoying one of our many iconic theme parks or spending time outdoors. But there’s a tradeoff to living in this tropical paradise.In Florida, power bills can be very costly. It takes a lot of energy to cool your home, and not just in the hot summer season. Our warm weather lasts much longer than in many other parts of the U.S., and so we run our air conditioners constantly.And we have more than the heat to contend with. Florida has the second-highest level of humidity in the nation. It takes a lot of AC to bring those numbers down to a comfortable level indoors.Florida residents like you pay the price. Our energy costs are among the highest in the nation. Fortunately, we also live in a state where we can take all that sunshine and use it to keep more of our money.The benefits of solar panelsWith solar panels, you convert the energy of the sun into electricity that powers your home, appliances, and devices. Solar panels also bring financial and environmental benefits. When you go solar, you’re reducing your bills. And you’re reducing your carbon footprint by relying on clean, renewable energy. Some of the benefits of solar panels include:

  • Lower electric bills
  • Protection against rising electricity rates
  • Increase in your property’s value
  • Less use of electricity, which reduces the greenhouse gases that pollute the air and promote higher temperatures

Five steps to going solarThe solar panels we install are durable, making them a great long-term investment. Florida Solar has over 40 years of experience installing residential and commercial solar panels. And because we can also service your system, you can rely on us for everything you need. In five steps, we’ll help you go solar:

  1. Schedule a free solar savings consultation
  2. Florida Solar develops your custom solar design
  3. We handle the permitting
  4. We install your system
  5. Enjoy solar energy that works for you

Call us at 727-300-1515 or click here for a quote. Our experts are available to explain the assessment and installation processes, so you can get started on a path to lower energy bills.GET A CUSTOM QUOTE

Don’t Miss Out on Your Solar Tax Credit Savings

You may have thought about moving to solar energy to power your home. Perhaps you’ve seen the panels on your neighbors’ homes and thought, “I need to do that, too.” Perhaps the cost or questions about savings have kept you from making that long-term investment. If so, we have some great and urgent news.

The federal solar tax credit is a U.S. government program that allows you to write down what you owe in taxes based on a percentage of your cost for a solar photovoltaic system. In 2021, the solar tax credit is a substantial 26%. There’s no time like right now to start saving more of your money instead of giving it to your electricity provider. Make a resolution for the new year that you’re going to move to solar power.

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How the credit works
The solar tax credit isn’t a gimmick. It’s a government-run program that lets you keep more of your money when you invest in solar. After your energy system has been installed, you can apply for the tax credit. You’ll receive 26% of your total project costs (including equipment, permitting fees, and installation) as a credit on your federal tax return.

If you have any questions about your particular circumstances, we recommend the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics.” There, you’ll find additional information about:

  • Eligibility
  • Where you install your solar energy system
  • Answers to your tax question

Qualifying for the solar tax credit

Qualifying for the credit is easy. You’ll earn the full 26% benefit if you meet the following requirements:
● You own the single-family home that you are furnishing with solar power
● You own the solar panels purchased for your home
● The system is installed and producing electricity

Plus, there’s no maximum amount that you can claim. And you can still claim the benefit even if you’ve financed payment through the seller of your system! Florida Solar works with different home improvement lenders and can guide you to the financing option that will work for you.

Get your energy system from Florida Solar
Contact us now at Florida Solar so that we can provide you with a long-term energy investment. Just a few of the benefits of working with Florida Solar:
● Nearly 40 years of experience installing residential and commercial solar energy systems
● We can sell, install, and service your system
● We partner with various lenders, so you can find the financing that works for you
● A commitment to outstanding customer service
Don’t miss this chance to save and work with a company that knows solar power. We’ll help you understand how to claim your federal solar tax credit. The sooner you contact Florida Solar, the sooner

we can get you on the path to long-term energy savings at a big discount over what you’re paying today for your energy bill.
If you have any questions about solar power or would like more information about our services, email us today at sales@floridasolar.solar or call 727-300-1515. Our experts are available to discuss different types of solar energy systemsthe savings you can expect, and your financing options.

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Going Green: Why Solar Energy is Good for the Earth

The sun is by far the most abundant, renewable, and eco-friendly source of energy available. There are copious amounts of benefits that are involved when switching to solar, but since Earth Day is right around the corner, we wanted to celebrate by sharing how going solar is a great way to go green. 

Cleaner Air

Electricity production is the cause of a large portion of the total carbon emissions in the United States. Going solar dramatically cuts back on your household output of CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions. A modestly sized solar system can reduce your emissions of these toxic gases up to 80%, and in many cases even more.

Just how much of a difference does one household going solar make? A household of just 2 people can reduce their carbon emissions by 3 to 4 tons each year on average by switching to a solar power system*.

Less Water Usage

How much water is required on average to power a typical household per day? For a house powered by a nuclear power plant, it is over 600 gallons, for a coal-fired power plant around 200 gallons, and a natural gas power plant, it is around 114 gallons. 

But what about solar? Zero gallons. Though minimal water is required to produce solar panels, the panels themselves do not rely on or require water to function and produce energy. This means once the system is installed, there is no water required for at least 25 years or more to produce energy through your solar system. There’s no need to compete with drinking systems, agriculture demand, and other water needs that are vital to your local environment.

Helps Fight Against Climate Change

Solar energy is the best replacement versus older energy technology to fight climate change. Human behavior has increasingly had negative impacts on the world around us. 

Burning fuels to produce energy lets off chlorofluorocarbons that clog the atmosphere, we cut down trees that are what help produce clean air we need to breathe, and that only scratches the surface on the damage we’re doing. The negative effects of these actions are evident, winter has increasingly grown shorter, glaciers are melting rapidly, and we can see in day to day life that we are not treating our planet how we should in order to maintain its health. 

Luckily, we have an endless supply of fuel and energy given to us by the sun, and with solar power we can properly harvest this energy and supply power that doesn’t require burning fuels, killing trees, or putting off any pollution. The world has supplied us with the most clean and abundant source of energy, we mind as well use it!

Better for Public Health

We’ve covered why going green through going solar is good for individual households and the planet as a whole, but how does it fare for public health? Its impact is much bigger than you may first think. 

Solar panels help lower the amount of hazardous waste that many other forms of energy production cause. Respiratory issues, cancers, and cardiovascular problems are all serious issues caused by common pollutants that older energy productions emit. Solar energy does not emit any pollutants. Less toxic output in an area leads to healthier residents and a healthier you!

In Conclusion

Cleaner air, less water usage, a healthier planet, and people. That is what solar energy is all about. We’re proud to be part of an industry that helps make such a massive impact on our world. If you’re interested in hearing more about how you can help the world by going solar, contact us anytime at 727-300-1515 or sales@floridasolar.solar.

* The US Green Building Council

Does Solar Add Value to My Home?

Investing in solar can be a big decision, it is important to ask pertinent questions before making an investment in solar electric. One of the most commonly asked questions asked before investing in a solar system is, “Will this investment add value to the resale value of my home”? The simple answer is, yes it does add value to your home.

There is a lot that goes into determining how much value is added. The factors that help determine the added value are home location, roof shade, your personal electric costs, and so much more. Each solar system will add a different type value than the next, but recent studies show that the average increase in resale value is roughly $5,911 per kW of solar installed. This means installing 5kW of solar panels can add around $30,000 of resale value to a medium-sized home in a sunny solar-friendly state like Florida.

We consulted Tampa real estate broker Thomas Corinti about the impact he has seen Solar Electric have on home values and he confirmed, “Solar energy is a great investment, homes with solar systems are valued higher and sell a bit faster than homes without.”

It is true that homes with solar systems do sell roughly 20% faster than a home without a solar system. Therefore, if you decide to sell your home, a solar system investment can help you in more ways than one. Even if you have no intention to sell, it’s still a great investment, which unlike many other investments gets you results immediately that will continue to benefit you for decades.

It is important to remember that these statistics are relevant to current housing and utility costs, but as electric costs continue to rise, the added value of solar is sure to rise as well. Solar Electric is a big decision, but also a worthwhile investment that will benefit you for the lifespan of your solar system. It’s good for your budget, and it’s good for the environment. Going green is a smart investment for so many reasons. For information on how much Solar Electric can save you and add value to your home, contact us at Florida Solar for a free no-obligation consultation today!

Solar Electric Federal Tax Credit Can Help You Save Big in 2019

Through the end of 2019 the Solar Electric Tax Credit can earn you 30% in Federal Tax Credit on the total cost of your solar system, including the cost of permitting, equipment, and installation. Think of it as a 30% discount off the price of going solar!

How Does it Work?

The Investment Tax Credit works by giving you back 30% of the cost of your solar system as a tax credit. If you have more credit than you owe, that’s no problem, the credit will roll over to the next year and is valid for up to 7 years. In order to take advantage of this tax credit you must own your solar system, it is not valid for leasing or purchase price allocation.

Worried you might not quality for the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit? If you purchase your solar system during 2019, own your residence, and you own rather than lease your solar panels there’s a good chance you are the perfect candidate.

What Happens after 2019?

After December 31, 2019 the Investment Tax Credit will still be around, however the Federal Tax Credit amount will be lowered from 30% to 26% in the year 2020. In 2021 the amount will decrease again to 22%, and in 2022 residential will have no tax credit, while commercial and utility applications will get 10%. In short, to save the greatest amount you can on your solar system you should start the process immediately. In order to get the 30% Federal Tax Credit amount your system will have to be purchased by December 31, 2019.

There is Still Time in 2019 – Get Started Today!

Starting the Process

It’s easy and free to get started. Florida Solar will come to your home and perform a complimentary consultation. We will walk you through a detailed checklist and use the information you share with us to determine how much solar electric can save you and your family.

How Does Florida Solar Determine what Size System You Need?

To determine the size of the solar system that’s perfect for you, Florida Solar needs 12 months of your power bills. We average your bills together and determine what size solar system will zero out your electric bill. If you’re a new home owner don’t worry, we have additional ways to help figure out what your power consumption is, and are still able to determine the perfect size system for your residence.

How Long Do Solar Systems Last?

Florida Solar’s systems have a 25 year warranty, so you can have peace of mind in investing in your solar system. You will save on your electric bills, help the environment, and the tax credit is a huge benefit.

The solar tax credit savings will decrease at the end of this year. If you are thinking about going solar, now if the time to save big. Call Florida Solar today to schedule your free consultation!