solar power panels sunrun

During the summer months, when air conditioning costs at their highest, many homeowners look for ways to decrease their energy costs. One amazing way to lower costs and help the environment is to utilizing a resource that is in abundance—the sun.

As homes continue to get “smarter” with the advent of smart technology like thermostats, refrigerators, and TVs, so is the electricity that powers them. Electricity from solar power is a clean, affordable energy source that is cheaper than utility company electricity. The Scott Brothers and Kylie Jenner even have solar! But, despite all of these great advantages, there still remains many misconceptions about solar power and solar systems.

Major Misconceptions about Solar Power

Sunrun solar panels on roof

 

Myth 1: Solar has a high upfront cost.

Reality: There are two options when electing to go solar: purchasing a new system or leasing a system through a solar service provider. With purchasing, upfront costs can be high. Additionally, homeowners are in charge of finding an installer, handling the installation, insuring the system, completing tax rebates/credits paperwork, and maintenance. Owning a system can be a nuisance and main reason many homeowners decide to use a solar lease provider. Sunrun solar leasing allows you to get solar installed for as little as $0 down and begin immediate monthly savings on your electricity costs.

Myth 2: Solar is complex.

Reality: Solar service providers like Sunrun manage the specifics of going solar. Sunrun will design and install a system that works for your home, remotely monitor the system’s production, and maintain the system during the lifetime of the service agreement. You just pay a low, locked-in rate for the electricity your panels produce.

Myth 3: There are no benefits to going solar.

Reality: Homeowners can profit from Federal and State tax incentives for buying solar panels. When you lease solar panels, the solar providers own the solar panels and take advantage of those incentives to decrease the cost of your solar electricity. Sunrun solar service gives you power over your electricity costs and shields you from unpredictable increases in electricity rates without dealing with the extra paperwork.

sunrun solar panels roof

Myth 4: Solar won’t save me money.

Reality: How much money you save is dependent on your household usage, solar rate and the rate charged by your utility company. If utility rates continue increasing, solar customers can continue to see significant savings on their electricity bills over the lifetime of their system. On average, Sunrun solar service customers save 20% on their electricity costs. *Actual savings vary, see HERE for details.

Myth 5: I will lose money because I don’t use a lot of electricity.

Reality: When you decide to go solar, a net meter is installed with your system that looks similar to your utility meter to calculate how much solar electricity your system produces. If your system produces more electricity than you use, the extra electricity is provided to your utility grid, and your net meter will “spin” in reverse, giving you energy credits. At night, when the solar system is not creating electricity, you can use your energy credits to power your home.

Myth 6: Leasing a solar system is a waste of money.

Reality: Leasing a solar system lets you go solar with little or no upfront cost while still receiving monthly electricity bill savings. Your monthly payment is dependent on factors such as tiered electricity costs in your area, the size of your system, rebates offered, etc. According to Go Solar California, 72% of Californians in 2013 who decided to go solar chose to use a third-party owned or power purchase agreement (PPA) system.

Sunrun solar panel

Learn More about the Benefits of Solar Power

Sunrun solar is a win-win; good for your wallet, and good for the planet. So you can spend your savings on a dream vacation, college tuition, or your retirement.  Please note that leased solar is not available in every state. Visit Sunrun to learn more about the benefits of solar power and to see if Sunrun solar service is available in your area.

Win Big, Save Big

To celebrate all the ways to save money at home, Sunrun Solar is giving 100 lucky winners a Nest Learning Thermostat.

****Enter HERE for your chance to win TODAY!****

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.