The Pros and Cons of Solar

Pros of Solar Energy

1. Lower Electricity Bills

Today, solar energy is more affordable than ever. A primary benefit of installing solar panels is long-term lower energy costs. Solar panels provide a comfortable home, financial security, and peace of mind.

Put the sun to work for you with Sunrun solar panels. By generating and using your own electricity, you control your energy bills. Solar panels enable you to cut down your monthly bill by returning excess electricity to the grid and shifting your primary time of use to lower rate periods.

The upfront costs of a solar installation are manageable, and may be as little as zero. Plus, you can immediately reduce your electricity bills up to 20%* with a Sunrun service agreement.

2. Dependable Electricity Costs

Solar panels shield your home from rising electricity rates. Locking in dependably reduced solar energy costs for decades offers financial freedom.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration states residential electricity rates (the amount you pay per kilowatt hour) have risen across the nation at a rate of 4% on average over the last 10 years.* During the same period, solar energy costs have decreased more than 70%.

The sun delivers energy to your door every day. With a solar panel installation, you can count on using and paying for less electricity from the grid. And, incentives, rebates and tax credits can significantly reduce the overall price of a solar system and accelerate your return on investment. Giving security from increasing fossil fuel prices for years to come.

3. Sustainable Energy Equals a Healthy Planet

When it comes to our environment, the advantages of solar energy are unbeatable. It’s clean, sustainable energy from the sun. And, there’s plenty to go around.

Fossil fuels are causing environmental damage every day. However, solar power minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and your carbon footprint.

Another positive aspect of solar panels is they have no noise pollution. They work silently in our homes and communities, unlike diesel generators and coal power plants.

Sunrun is taking on our aging grid and the status quo of energy generation one rooftop at a time. Our network has helped thousands of homes across the country go solar over the past ten years. Installing solar panels protects the individual and the environment for generations.

4. Raise the Value of Your Home

Solar panels are a solid investment because they add value to your home*. A purchased solar panel system may add $15,000 to the purchase price of your home.2 So, solar energy can actually put money in your pocket.

In the real estate market, solar systems are increasingly viewed positively by potential home buyers. They recognize that there will be economic gains with a solar panel installation through lower energy costs.

If life happens and you need to move, the house sale can return your investment. If you have a Sunrun service agreement, you can easily transition it to new owners. Plus, they’ll love no upfront costs for solar benefits.

Raise your home’s value. Now is the perfect time to pursue solar. There is a better way to energy security. And, together we’re creating it.

5. Long Life Span & Low Maintenance

There’s always a honey-do-list with owning a home. Yet, you could almost forget your solar panels. They require low maintenance and have a long lifecycle. And, with Sunrun’s service agreement, you’ll receive 25 years of support, guaranteed.

Solar panels commonly have a 25 to 30-year lifespan. They are exceptionally durable and withstand the harshest weather mother nature throws their way. Rest easy, Sunrun solar panels come with our hardy lifetime warranty.

Our service package includes daily system monitoring, quick response time, free maintenance, and repairs. So, you don’t have to climb on the roof. A solar panel installation is truly the best long-term, sustainable energy solution.

6. Return on Investment

A professionally designed solar installation should give you a return on investment (ROI) over its life cycle. Plus, solar panel rebates and tax credits will accelerate your ROI.

Keep in mind, many incentives also apply to solar battery storage which optimizes your electricity use. Then, the energy you generate is essentially free.

Solar panels can lower utility bills by offsetting grid usage. You may also be eligible to receive net metering credits by sending excess electricity to the grid. Households generally collect an ROI on solar panels within half their lifespan.

Choosing solar really is a great decision for nearly every homeowner. Yet, just to play devil’s advocate, here’s a few potential drawbacks to ponder.

Cons of Solar Energy

1. Understanding the Pricing of Solar Technology is Challenging

Did you hate doing hurdles in high school gym class? For many homeowners, understanding solar pricing and technology is a stumbling block.

There are many interdependent factors influencing the cost of a solar system. You need to calculate in energy needs, panel efficiency, battery capacity, and how many panels fit on your roof.

We all want the most for our money. Yet, learning about solar panels (and battery storage) may be intimidating. And, how do you correlate various technologies to the price?

Fortunately, there are numerous online solar calculators to establish a close estimate. Professional quotes also provide confidence for you to understand energy usage, solar prices, and technology.

When you want to talk about solar for your home, our team is ready to explain, install and guarantee the best solar system for you.

2. My Roof isn’t Right for Solar Panels

Before saying “my roof isn’t right for solar,” fully assess the potential value. There may be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow over your roof.

It’s true that solar panels are not the total solution for all homeowners. However, solar can produce significant electricity from the sunshine on most rooftops.

Our systems are customized to serve your house structure, lifestyle, energy and financial goals. And, we’ll guide you through the process every step of the way from service agreement to installation and maintenance.

Some historical homes with unique roof lines do present challenges to solar panel installation. Yet, a professional installer will do their best to work around such challenges.

If your rooftop doesn’t have space for a standard system, install smaller solar panels with higher efficiency. And, if your roof doesn’t face directly south, you can still take advantage of sunshine from a southerly direction.

Planning for a brighter tomorrow starts at home today.

3. Finding a Good Solar Installer is Difficult

When considering any serious long-term investment, you should be wary of charlatans. With solar panel installers, you may not know enough to ask the right questions.

How long have they been in the business? What are their references?

Solar has become a mainstream business with expected industry quality standards. Today, most solar installers have specialized training and years of experience.

Finding the right local installer and comparing quotes requires basic knowledge. Articles like this and other solar education materials provide a lot of insight. Plus, professional consultations specifically for your home give you confidence.

Give us a call or send an email. We’ll guide you through installation and 25 years of superior solar panel and battery performance. Sunrun works hard at  making the solar installation process simple.

We readily share our knowhow and are confident in our customers’ experience. Sunrun’s decade of solar installations and nationwide network will lead to your best local installer.

4. Solar Panels are Not Attractive

Aesthetics are important. And, solar panels may not be your idea of attractive. But, have you checked out the new solar panel technologies?

They fit close to the roof and have a modern design. With limited visible hardware, they’re an elegant solution over earlier solar energy systems.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When you and your neighbors realize solar's financial value, you’ll be proud of the installation. In fact, many new homes are being built with solar panels already installed.

Overall, today’s solar panels can easily appear as an attractive, integrated component of your home. Plus, this contemporary element will add significant value to your home—and money talks.

5. High Initial Cost

Sure, it’s well established that solar energy can save you money over the long-term. But, the initial cost of solar panels can be a bump in the road for some. The overall investment could be $15,000 or more if you’re purchasing the system outright.

Solar panels immediately reduce your utility bills. Yet, it’s important to assess incentives, total cost, and payment plans. The best financial option can really speed up your return on investment.

This is where consulting with Sunrun can maximize your benefits. To give you the big picture, Sunrun’s network of professionals are familiar with regional incentives and tax credits. They’ll also calculate your potential benefits from offsetting electricity costs with net metering and shifting your peak time of use.

Sunrun designs a solar energy system that best serves your home and wallet. Furthermore, we offer a best in class service agreement with $0 down. So, you can join your neighbors in the solar revolution today.

6. Environmental Footprint of Manufacture

Solar is a clean, sustainable source with a tiny carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel giants. Yet, it’s fair to note that manufacturing solar panels has an environmental impact.

Solar panel cells, which produce the electricity, contain rare materials that are toxic if handled incorrectly. Purification of silicon in solar cells requires hazardous chemicals that need special attention. Extraction, production and shipping of associated parts create emissions.

However, looking through a wide-angle lens at solar energy versus fossil fuels, the choice is clear. The positive benefits of solar panels and energy storage for individuals and the earth more than offset any manufacturing downsides.

Based on a study, solar panels only produce about 50g of CO² per kilowatt hour compared to coal's 975g of CO² per kilowatt hour, or at least 20 times¹ cleaner. Solar wins that argument hands down.

Solar Energy is Creating a Brighter Future

There are pros and cons of solar panels. Yet, solar energy’s sustainability and cost control benefits make it a wise, low-risk investment. Today’s solar panel pros will power you into a brighter tomorrow.

Sunrun provides honest answers to the hard questions about solar. We’ll develop the best solar system and financing options under the sun for you. It’s your home, your energy, your choice. Make the most of it. See if you qualify today.