Solar Energy Demystified: 5 Facts Everyone Should Know
Are you considering installing solar panels on your Wisconsin home? Have you heard conflicting information about whether it’s a good investment, especially in a state where it’s partly cloudy up to half of the year?
The idea that only states with abundant sunshine offer homeowners significant benefits from solar panels is a common misconception. In truth, solar panels generate plenty of electricity, even in areas with less sunlight or colder climates.
For over 20 years, First Quality Roofing has offered Wisconsin homeowners a broad range of roofing services, including roof inspections and evaluations to ensure a roof can handle solar panels. We assess your roof’s structural integrity and help create a seamless integration of your roof and solar panels. You can depend on us to deliver exceptional roofing services for all your solar needs!
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy has become an increasingly popular sustainable and renewable energy source. However, many homeowners still have misconceptions about solar power.
From understanding how solar panels work to exploring solar’s economic and environmental benefits, the more you know about solar energy, the more you’ll appreciate this remarkable technology and how it can help you save money and increase your home’s value.
- Solar panel efficiency. Solar panels do rely on sunlight to produce electricity, but they can generate power under various lighting conditions, including cloudy and overcast days. That’s because modern solar panels capture direct and diffused sunlight, meaning they can produce electricity when there’s limited direct sunlight.
- Cold temperature performance. Believe it or not, solar panels function more efficiently at lower temperatures. Excessive heat can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency, while cold temperatures enhance electricity’s conduction, improving the panels’ overall performance. Colder states like Wisconsin benefit from this temperature advantage during winter months.
- Net metering and energy credits. Many states, including Wisconsin, have net metering policies allowing homeowners to receive credits when they feed excess electricity generated by their solar panels back into the grid. Homeowners can use the credits to offset their electricity consumption during periods of lower solar production, such as winter months with shorter days.
- Financial incentives. Various solar tax credits, rebates, and tax exemptions are available to Wisconsin homeowners. The Inflation Reduction Act provides qualified homeowners with a tax credit of up to 30% against their system’s cost. Residents also don’t have to pay additional property taxes for the added value they enjoy after installing a solar energy system. Multiple studies have found that the average home experiences an over 4% increase in their home’s value.
- Environmental impact. A solar energy system provides substantial environmental benefits. It reduces fossil fuel reliance, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes sustainability.
When you invest in solar panels, you’ll also benefit from long-term savings, particularly considering the rising costs of traditional grid electricity.
Schedule a Roof Inspection Today
If you’ve decided to install solar panels at your Wisconsin home, consulting with local solar experts will provide you with an accurate assessment of solar’s potential for your home. Before scheduling installation services, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected to ensure it can handle solar panels.
First Quality Roofing can make a structural assessment of your home’s roof, check its load-bearing capacity and pitch, and ensure your roofing material is compatible with solar panels. Our 14-point roof inspection alerts you to any necessary roof repair services and gives you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your roof is strong enough to bear the weight of solar panels.
Call us at 715-350-2162 or contact us online to schedule a roof inspection or learn more.