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We recognize that deciding to change how your home accesses energy is a big step and comes with many questions. To help you navigate this important decision, we’ve compiled answers to some common questions about switching to solar energy and battery storage for your home.
What is Solar Power?
Solar power is a renewable form of energy generated from the sun to produce electricity that powers our homes, workplaces, churches, and businesses. Solar panels turn the energy and light from the sun into electricity that we can use to power our lives.
Why is Solar Energy Important?
Solar energy is one of the most affordable new forms of electricity available and can help you save money every month! It creates electricity from a renewable power source—the sun—that doesn’t pollute our air or water, and it creates thousands of high-paying jobs for our community. Plus, think about the last time your power went out. Using solar energy can help hedge against future utility rate increases.
How Does Solar Energy Save Me Money?
Solar energy produced on your rooftop goes into your home to power anything that requires electricity: a TV, computer, air conditioner, lights, electric vehicles, etc. Every bit of solar electricity you produce and use in your home is energy you don’t have to purchase from the power company.
How Does Having Solar Impact My Utility Bills?
Because you are producing your own electricity, you won’t need to purchase as much power from the utility company. That means that your electricity bill will be smaller than it is today. Most homeowners can cut their utility bill in half, or more! Some, but not all, utility companies will also provide a credit for any solar energy that gets sent back to their grid.
Does My Utility Company Charge Me for Solar Energy?
Some utilities charge for solar energy, and some utilities offer a small credit if your solar energy system ever provides electricity back to the grid. Solar professionals will help you understand your utility’s specific solar policy and how you can best benefit from a solar energy system.
Do My Solar Panels Produce Power When the Sun Isn’t Shining?
The amount of power your solar energy system can generate depends on sunlight. As a result, your solar panels will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy and no energy at night. However, because of high electricity costs and financial incentives, solar is smart even if you live in a cloudy city.
Can I Go Off-Grid with Solar Panels?
When you install solar panels on your property, you will still be connected to the grid. This allows you to draw from the grid when your system is not producing all the power you need and send power back to the grid when you produce more than you use. It is possible to go off the grid with a solar energy system that includes battery storage, but it will cost significantly more and is unnecessary for most homeowners.
Making the decision to switch to solar energy can be daunting, but having clear and direct answers to your questions can make the process much easier. If you’re ready to explore the benefits of solar energy for your home, our team at BRIGHT is here to help you every step of the way.
