- What Every Homeowner Must Know Before Changing To Solar
- What Most Solar Companies Won’t Tell You
- How To Determine If Solar Is Worth It For You
- How To Secure The Best Possible Deal On The Solar Market
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Become Energy Independence, Eliminate Your Utility Bill, Receive a Tax Credit.
Save Money While Saving The Planet
How To Eliminate Your Utility Bill, Become Energy Independent, And Receive A Big Fat Tax Credit By Simply Changing To Solar.
– How To Eliminate Your Utility Bill And Free Yourself From Price Gouging Utility Monopolies.
– It Could Save You Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars. Find Out If Solar Is Right For You!
– Why the government is subsidizing solar and how you can benefit from it financially.
Energy Independence
Florida Homeowners are positioning themselves to become energy independent and save thousands on their utility bills…
How exactly are they doing this?
By learning about their electricity related needs and consumption, homeowners are freeing themselves from ever-lasting utility bills in exchange for their very own personal power plant…”
…AKA they are “Going Solar!”
The vast majority of homeowners in the US qualify for a photovoltaic renewable energy system (aka solar system), they just don’t know about it yet.
In a moment I’ll give you a clear and concise breakdown on how it’s possible that Florida Homeowners are currently:
– Qualifying for $0 Down on Solar Energy and Earning a $250 Signing Bonus!
– Receiving (on average) a Tax Credit in the range of $7,000 – $15,000 for their contribution to environmental well-being.
I will also cover:
Energy Independence
Homeowners are positioning themselves to become energy independent and save thousands on their utility bills…
How exactly are they doing this?
By learning about their electricity related needs and consumption, homeowners are freeing themselves from ever-lasting utility bills in exchange for their very own personal power plant…”
…AKA they are “Going Solar!”
The vast majority of homeowners in the US qualify for a photovoltaic renewable energy system (aka solar system), they just don’t know about it yet.
In a moment I’ll give you a clear and concise breakdown on how it’s possible that Florida Homeowners are currently:
– Qualifying for $0 Down on Solar Energy and Earning a $250 Signing Bonus!
– Receiving (on average) a Tax Credit in the range of $7,000 – $15,000 for their contribution to environmental well-being.
– Solar works everyhwere!
I will also cover:
- What Every Homeowner Must Know Before Changing To Solar
- What Most Solar Companies Won’t Tell You
- How to tell the difference between wolves and shepherds of solar (greedy corporate companies vs ethical reputable installers)
- How To Determine If Solar Is Worth It For You
- How To Secure The Best Possible Deal On The Solar Market
Now, if you’re like most homeowners,
you can probably relate to these 3 simple things:
– Wanting to improve your home and raise its value
– Wishing you could lower your utility bills
– Looking for ways to maximize your income and minimize expenses
For example, a less realistic and less favorable approach may be to:
Restrict family members to 2-minutes of shower time (cold water only)
Keep the temperature at 78 degrees during summer
Keep the temperature at 68 degrees or less during winter
Wash clothes only once every other week (avoid using dryer, use a drying rack)
Basically, you would have to micromanage yours and your family’s entire lifestyle and every move… but who wants to live like that?
For example, a less realistic and less favorable approach may be to:
Restrict family members to 2-minutes of shower time (cold water only)
Keep the temperature at 78 degrees during summer
Keep the temperature at 68 degrees or less during winter
Wash clothes only once every other week (avoid using dryer, use a drying rack)
Basically, you would have to micromanage yours and your family’s entire lifestyle and every move… but who wants to live like that?
The most practical (and easier than ever before) solution is going Solar... And here’s why in a nutshell…
- Average estimated Thousands of dollars in savings on your utility bills over the next 20-30 years (free yourself from high cost utility monopolies)
- Energy independence for your family (Eliminate your utility bill, keep your lights on through bad storms and grid power outages)
- $0 Money down + benefit from immediate savings on your current monthly utility bill
- 26% Tax Credit on the system that you buy or finance
And two more bonus points worth mentioning are:
- You can enjoy substantially more savings with solar companies such as our very own Solarize USA, as we have found a way to cut out expensive dealer fees and still provide you with the best deals on the market for a top tier system.
- By going solar, you are contributing to saving the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
But of course, these are just the highlights, and there’s more to consider in order to feel confident that Solar is worth it for you.
In general, solar is very much worth it and is an incredible new opportunity for homeowners in Florida.
Benefits such as the Florida State Sales Tax Exemption, Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, and the generous electricity buy-back rates pretty much make the concept of going solar a NO-BRAINER.
(Feel free to further research ‘Solar in Florida’ to confirm that these are true and legitimate claims)
So, what could possibly make you second guess this opportunity?
Well, as with any major life change (and especially when it involves crossing into unfamiliar territory), we’ve already done all of the due diligence for you so that we can help you make an informed decision, in your best interest.
For that reason, we’ll spend the rest of our time together on this page answering all of your most important questions and concerns, and educating you on everything you will need to know if you are considering going solar.
How Can I Qualify for $0 Down on my Solar System + Earn a $250 Signing Bonus?
Not many companies, if any, offer a $250 signing bonus. But Solarize USA does! What’s the catch? There is no catch...
We remain true to our mission of saving the planet,and every new homeowner who goes Solar is helping us achieve that. In return for helping us raise awareness and save the planet, we will reward every homeowner with a $250 cash bonus for simply going solar.
To qualify for a $0 down financing deal, you will typically need to have a credit score of at least 650... Call Solarize USA for a Free Consultation to see if you qualify.
Click here to book your free consultation
How does the Federal Tax Credit work in favor of Solar?
A federal tax credit is the government credit system where a percentage of a residential solar installation cost can be offset against IRS taxes for the following year. It’s essentially a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of income tax you would otherwise owe...
Meaning, if your tax liability was $5,000 for the year and you have a credit of $2,000, you would pay only $3,000.
Example: Throughout 2021, the credit has been held at 26%. So, figure your home’s solar electric PV installation may cost $20,000, your tax credit would be:
$20,000 x 26% = $5,200 rebate
(Major Tax credit in your hands)
If you’ll ever consider going Solar (most people eventually will), now is the time to do it — while you can still receive these generous benefits and the highest tax credit possible!
Note: In order to receive this tax credit, your Solar system MUST be either financed to own (NOT leased), or bought in cash.
What about the Florida Solar Rebates and Tax Credits?
In most cases, homes are typically subject to incur additional taxes whenever an upgrade is installed… However, that is not the case when installing solar panels.
How so?
Per Florida’s Property Tax Exclusion for Residential Renewable Energy Properties, there will be no extra costs incurred and no taxation increased for homeowners who install a renewable energy property.
Don’t Forget the Florida Solar Sales Tax Exemption!
Florida’s general state sales tax rate is 6%…
However, you will not pay any sales tax when buying your new system, thanks to the Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption.
What do Solar buy-back rates mean for the Sunshine State?
Florida is one of 47 states that allow you to sell back your unused electricity (generated by solar power) to your local utility company.
Florida’s policy was set in motion in 2007 as a way to encourage the use of renewable energy sources as an economic driver for the state, and a way to save money through clean energy initiatives.
In a nutshell, the FPL net metering program is designed to compensate its customers for the energy they produce…
“FPL customers receive a smart bidirectional meter that tracks how much energy you use and how much excess energy you deliver to the grid so you can earn a one-to-one kilowatt-hour credit on your bill.”
Source: Private Rooftop Solar / FPL Net Metering Program
How can solar panels save you money
from day 1?
The best part about your investment in Solar (particularly when your system is financed) are the long term AND short term benefits:
- NO down payment required on the system you financed (if approved)
- You could qualify for anywhere from 1-month to 12-months of no utility payments after your system has been installed (depending on the financing deal you chose)
- Save money on your utility bill for every month going forward (the payments toward your new system will be less than what you previously paid for electricity)
- Stop paying compounded interest year over year to your utility company for a system that you don’t own — instead save tens of thousands of dollars (at a fixed rate) over the next 20-30 years and ultimately become energy independent
Note: The cost of residential electricity continues to rise at around 2.9% per year.
- Increase the value of your home
- Help save the planet by dramatically reducing your greenhouse gas emissions and leading your community into the age of renewables.
Do solar panels increase or decrease the value of your home?
In most cases, the rates of return for going solar in Florida continue to show a net positive return, especially as competing companies are driving down the costs of solar panels and installation.
The Zillow app found that, while the average increase in home value in Florida after having solar installed was 4%, it increased for certain city areas. For example, the average value for homes with solar panels in Tampa, FL had increased to almost 4.6% (as of April 2021).
Of course, much of these results assume that you worked with an honest company which helped you secure the best deal possible for your home.
Solarize USA, for example, in addition to already finding the best deals on the market for its clients, has found a way to cut out the typically hidden and very expensive dealer fees, which would otherwise be incurred by the homeowner and result in substantially less savings than they could have benefited from.
All the while, Solarize USA is still able to set its clients up with Top Tier systems.
In conclusion…
Assuming your home is the right fit for solar (pending a non-invasive evaluation that would provide accurate estimates of short term and long term savings), there are so many benefits for installing solar and very few reasons not to…
Who doesn’t appreciate the idea of having cheaper electricity over the long term, while also standing to make a bigger profit when selling your home?
What are my options when I decide to sell my home?
Want to sell your home?… No problem!
- If you own your solar system, you can sell it along with the house and include the equipment costs in the total price of the sale.
- If you are still paying off your solar system, you can transfer your loan over to the new homeowners, which for them will likely be less than what they would have paid for their utility bill anyways.
How long do solar panels last in Florida?
The guarantee for solar panels is typically 25-30 years, but they will typically continue to produce electricity for long after that. Some solar panels can generate power for 50-60 years or more!
Now, it’s important as always that you approach any investment with the right expectation. So, you’ll want to take into consideration that the power output will inevitably decrease by 0.8% every year due to solar cell degradation.
That said, if you’re working with the right solar rep, your solar panels will come with a warranty that guarantees you will get the most out of your investment…
For example, 90% production capacity after 10 years and 85% after 20-years!
You will also have an equipment warranty from the installation company, in the rare case that any of your solar equipment happens to malfunction due to quality issues.
Inverters (as of 2021) are known to not last as long as the solar panels and may need replacing after 10 to 15 years. You will typically have a 10-15 year guarantee for your inverters, and keep in mind that equipment reliability is constantly improving.
Micro-inverters, on the other hand, enjoy a life span of up to 25 years (more or less around the same as solar panels) – which tends to make them the natural choice for most people.
Note: The main difference with Micro-inverters is that they produce more power when panels are subject to partial shading, such as passing cloud cover. String inverters need power optimizers in in order to continue functioning optimally through clouds or other shade.
What affects the performance of solar panels?
What we can control (which is handled by your installation company) is the angle at which the solar panel array is positioned under the sun, including which way it’s facing
(orientation). We can also make sure there are no obstructions that would cast shade onto your panels. “
What is out of our control would be natural circumstances like cloudy days…we estimate how much sun your house receives in a given year and build a system accordingly, to make up for those cloudy days
To make sure that you are as educated as possible on solar, here is a list that explains which factors mostly determine the efficiency of solar panels:
- Irradiance – Measure of the sun’s energy in kWh/m2/year (commonly referred to as “peak-sun-hours”)
- Shading – Significantly reduces production capacity – which can be optimized by using micro-inverters.
- Orientation. Facing South is always best (particularly in the northern hemisphere).
- Maximize production capacity by angling solar panels at 45 to 60 degrees.
Solarize USA, among other honest companies, will set you up with top tier solar panels which provide high efficiency.
Which direction should your solar panels face in Florida?
In general, the ideal orientation for solar panels in the Northern hemisphere would be pointing South.
This will maximize sunlight exposure to your system, and optimize for heating efficiency throughout winters.
Regardless, installers are experts in finding ways around any orientation challenges, and ensuring that you will get the most solar efficiency possible.
How much energy usage at home would make it worth changing to solar in Florida?
The most simple way of doing this is to evaluate your monthly utility bills, and for optimal accuracy, take a look at the previous 3-12 months.
A professional installer will size your system based on the peak-sun-hours in your specific location, and how many kilowatts per hour (kWh) of power you normally use as a general rule of calculation, you would multiply solar energy produced in kWhs by the cost of electricity in kWh.
Then divide the cost of the solar electric PV system by the price of electricity. The result is the time it will take for you to recoup your initial investment.
As an example, see the calculations below for a 13.14kW Solar System in Wellington, Florida…
Note: This payback calculation doesn’t even take into account the rising cost of residential electricity (compounding interest), which is rising at around 3%-4% every year. So you see, switching to a lower - and more importantly a fixed - solar monthly payment is where the major savings in the tens of thousands of dollars comes into play. Of course, even after seeing this breakdown, you may still want to make sure that you have done all of your calculations correctly… Naturally, you may still have some other questions that need to be answered to help you make a confident and informed decision… Which is why our team at Solarize USA will be happy to educate you further on the process, and provide you with the most accurate estimate for power generation rates and payback time for your specific household to help you determine if changing to solar would be worth it for you. Your consultation and solar report will be 100% free!
- City: Wellington, Florida
- What solar system power: 13.14kW
- Cost of solar panels in Florida (2021) =$2.91/watt
- Solar installation capital cost = $38,237.4 – $9,941.72 federal tax credit = $28,295.68
- Year 1
- Wellington, FL residential electricity cost per kW = 11.65 cents/kWh
- 25 year value of electricity produced from Utility Company = $45,390
- Cost of same electricity produced from Solar: $28,295.68
- 25 year savings: $17,094.32
How much energy usage at home would make it worth changing to solar in Florida?
The most simple way of doing this is to evaluate your monthly utility bills, and for optimal accuracy, take a look at the previous 3-12 months.
A professional installer will size your system based on the peak-sun-hours in your specific location, and how many kilowatts per hour (kWh) of power you normally use as a general rule of calculation, you would multiply solar energy produced in kWhs by the cost of electricity in kWh.
Then divide the cost of the solar electric PV system by the price of electricity. The result is the time it will take for you to recoup your initial investment.
As an example, see the calculations below for a 13.14kW Solar System in Wellington, Florida…
- City: Wellington, Florida
- What solar system power: 13.14kW
- Cost of solar panels in Florida (2021) = $2.49/watt
- Solar installation capital cost = $32,721 – $8,507 federal tax credit = $24,214
- Year 1
- Wellington, FL residential electricity cost per kW = 11.65 cents/kWh
- 25 year value of electricity produced from Utility Company = $45,390
- Cost of same electricity produced from Solar: $24,214
- 25 year savings: $21,176
Note: This payback calculation doesn’t even take into account the rising cost of residential electricity (compounding interest), which is rising at around 3%-4% every year. So you see, switching to a lower - and more importantly a fixed - solar monthly payment is where the major savings in the tens of thousands of dollars comes into play. Of course, even after seeing this breakdown, you may still want to make sure that you have done all of your calculations correctly… Naturally, you may still have some other questions that need to be answered to help you make a confident and informed decision… Which is why our team at Solarize USA will be happy to educate you further on the process, and provide you with the most accurate estimate for power generation rates and payback time for your specific household to help you determine if changing to solar would be worth it for you. Your consultation and solar report will be 100% free!
What most solar companies won’t tell you…
Just like in every industry, there’s always some bad apples…
In the case of solar, those would be some of the sleazy sales people or some of the dishonest companies who got into this industry for the wrong reasons and who are not focused on what is in their clients’ best interest.
Below are some tips to take into consideration that will help you identify and avoid these types of crooks who will take advantage if you are not well informed…
Know Market Prices / Request Multiple Quotes – Always ask for the Price Per Watt… If a solar company is hiding the Price Per Watt of their system, you can likely get a much better deal elsewhere.
Solar Lease vs Purchase – It’s key that you understand the different types of solar agreements available in your area so you can determine which will be in your best interest based on your specific situation. Bottom line is saving money and becoming energy independent. Although in certain areas on a rare occasion a lease agreement might make sense (or may be your only available option), as a general rule of thumb, you will want to look for a purchase financing deal that will allow you to own your solar system…
Choose A Reputable Solar Contractor – Ask for your estimates to include any opt-out information in case a system doesn’t perform as promised. Make sure your contractor is licensed for your location and is able to take care of all permitting and grid tie installation. You can also check online reviews to make sure your contractor has completed projects properly and honestly.
Note: Solarize USA handles all of this for you!
Understand The Cost Of Your Utility Bill – Your solar company should help you understand exactly what you’re paying for when it comes to electricity, and how becoming energy independent is the best choice financially and environmentally.
Free Solar Panel Installation – There are many areas in the US – especially in Florida – where it’s possible to get a solar system installed without being charged for the installation. So, make sure to inform yourself on any and all associated costs (upfront and long term), and more importantly, that you are working with a reputable solar contractor who will provide you a breakdown of all such costs in writing.
Tax Credits and Rebates – Federal and State tax credits as well as local utility energy rebates are not the same for every state. The exciting thing about going solar is that these rebates are often what allow for zero out of pocket costs and long term savings. To get the most out of your investment, you will want to work with a reputable solar energy consultant who will present to you (in writing) ALL of the options available in your area.
Is the Solar Energy Industry a scam?
The answer is NO, not at all!
Solar energy is a time proven, clean and affordable source of electricity for your home. As of 2021 over 3 million homes and businesses have converted to solar power in the United States. That’s No Scam.
Unfortunately, as with any industry, there are also some dishonest and unethical contractors and companies who have given the solar industry a bad rep…
Which is precisely why we’ve put together such an informative page here for you, and why we continue to consult and educate consumers on solar energy via as many mediums as possible.
How can you secure the best possible deal on the solar market?
The surest way to do that would be to give us a call at Solarize USA and we’ll be sure to walk you through all the dos and don’ts of solar! We guarantee the lowest price possible for best equipment and service… And if by any crazy chance you are able to find a company that is offering the same top tier equipment at lower prices, then as your trusted advisor, we’ll be the first to encourage you to go with them instead.
So, who is Solarize USA?
Solarize USA is a diverse network of innovative companies and individuals. We combine business savvy, innovative technology, and most importantly environmental & social responsibility to help you become independent of the utility monopolies that have been taking advantage of their customers for over 70 years. Our founding pillars are: Conservation – Education – Innovation
We save our customers thousands of dollars on electricity while dramatically reducing their carbon footprint, and we would love to help you achieve the same.
Solar is the future, the future is here!
Contact us to learn about the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy.
WHO WE ARE
Solarize USA knows that the future lies in solar energy, so we’re passionate about sharing its benefits with property owners. By combining business savvy, innovative technology, and environmental responsibility, we’ve helped our customers save thousands of dollars in electricity bills while reducing their carbon footprint.
From initial questions to the final installation, our professional energy consultants will be by your side every step of the way while you switch to renewable solar energy.
