Pittsburgh is the Steel City. And during the steel industry’s heyday, the mills and related companies sucked up tons of energy every day, and much of that was powered by coal. But as Pittsburgh has evolved into a tech town, its energy sources have also shifted, and more and more companies and homeowners in the Pittsburgh region are beginning to rethink their options when it comes to solar power.
A great example of this is the Pittsburgh International Airport. Our airport grabbed national headlines by building a microgrid powered by natural gas and a massive array of solar panels, dramatically reducing the facility’s carbon footprint.
On an individual residential level though, there’s a lot to consider! Ted and I looked into installing solar panels in our own home a few years ago, but realized that the position of the sun and the woods behind our house don’t allow enough benefit to the investment. In contrast, Julie’s parents have had solar for the last ten years and are able to generate a surplus, even after powering their electric car!
Solar Power At Home
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here are some tips for making the right decision:
1. Consider your sunlight and energy potential (and other factors). Sunlight is critical to solar energy production. The amount of direct sunlight your receive is directly impacted by:
Your geographic location (homes farther north or in more overcast areas generally receive less direct sunlight throughout the year)
The angle of your roof
The direction your roof faces
Shade (often caused by other buildings, houses, trees, and trees that are still growing)
In addition, the success and overall ROI of solar panels can also be influenced by:
The age of your roof - Solar panels are typically installed directly on your roof. But if your roof is old or needs to be replaced soon, you may want to wait for solar. Installing solar panels now could mean needing to remove and reinstall them in a few years when you finally replace your roof.
Neighborhood/HOA Requirements - Your local laws or homeowners association may have rules or regulations regarding solar panels.
2. Consider all of your options. You may have more options than you realize when it comes to solar energy! Options include:
Solar Energy Systems - This is what people typically think of when they consider solar power: solar panels on their roof or out in the yard. Through this option, a solar installer will connect your solar panels to the grid. When your panels generate more electricity than you require, you can sell that energy back into the grid.
Community/Shared Solar - If you don’t have enough property or roof space to install a solar energy system, you and your neighbors or members of the local community can purchase a solar energy system together. This can be installed off-site or on one individual’s property.
Solar Leases - Under a solar lease agreement, you receive the benefits of solar energy, but someone else owns the solar energy system your electricity is pulled from.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) - Under a PPA, a solar company installs panels on your property, but continues to own them outright. In return, you agree to buy the electricity generated from these panels.
Solarize Programs - These programs are ideal for large groups of homeowners or businesses to pool their resources and purchasing power to install and connect to a large number of solar panels.
Each opportunity has its own advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to do your research before committing to a plan or product!
3. Look for your rebates and tax incentives. Depending on where you live in the United States, you may have generous access to rebates and tax incentives.
According to Sunrun, homeowners in the Pittsburgh region may be eligible for:
The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit - A 26% federal tax credit for home solar systems installed by December 31, 2022
Solar Renewable Energy Credits - Through SRECs, you’re compensated per the market value of the kilowatt-hour produced by your system
4. Obtain bids. You’ll want bids on two big things:
The solar panels or solar power system
The installation of solar panels or the solar power system
This will help you determine exactly how much you need to invest upfront!
5. Do the math. Whether you’re moving to solar panels to save money or to reduce your carbon footprint, run the numbers to ensure it makes financial sense for your household. Some figures to consider:
The cost of the solar power system itself
The cost of installing the solar power system
How much electricity you expect the solar power system to generate
How much you expect to earn (if anything) from selling energy back into the grid
How much you expect to save (if anything) from switching to solar power
How many years you’ll need for the investment to finally pay for itself
6. Consider the resale value of your home with solar energy. Here’s one of the best benefits of solar panels: Regardless of whether you think they’re eye-catching or an eye-sore, solar energy can dramatically increase the value of your home.
How much? Well, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that every dollar saved on energy increases the home value by $20!
If you save $1,500 a year through solar energy (which is entirely reasonable, according to LeafScore), that could translate into a boost in home value by $30,000!
Getting Started With Solar
If you need assistance finding a contractor to assist with your solar project, contact us at theblocks@blocksintheburgh.com. We’ll direct you to someone who can help you get started!