Are you wondering why you should go solar in your new home? For years one of the greatest barriers to reseidential solar installations was how expensive it was. Luckily this has changed!
Advances in technology, along with growing consumer interest, has forced prices to drastically decrease, making the appeal of residential solar panels even greater. Moreover, Oregon’s average cost per watt ($3.16) is well below the national average ($3.54) which makes the initial cost of a solar system cheaper than it would be in most other states.
If you are still questioning whether or not you should go solar then keep reading to learn how solar panels can benefit your health, family, and wallet.
Innovations in Solar Energy
Just when you thought the sun couldn’t be any cooler, humans have continued to find new ways to harness its energy. To start off, tiny solar panels can now be sewn into the fabric of your clothes. Talk about a portable battery pack! If you don’t feel like wearing solar panels around town, you can instead decorate your home with solar panel window curtains.
Besides cost, the only other barrier to getting solar panels is that many people think of them as an eye-sore; however, you can get solar panels that look exactly like normal roof shingles from companies like Tesla roof.
If you live in a snowy area, then you will appreciate this next one. There are now solar panel heated sidewalks that melt the ice and snow, so you don’t slip and break your tailbone. Ouch!
If you are looking for innovation in our local community, look no further. True South Solar is the leading installer of residential and commercial solar panels in all of Southern Oregon. More impressively, True South Solar also holds a World Record for the most efficient solar panels.
How did they do it?
“The fully-integrated and radically-innovative cells, panels, mounts, and micro-inverters work in concert to capture and convert every last drop of sunshine into energy to power your life. It’s next-generation solar.” -True South Solar
Solar panels in Verde Village in Ashland installed by True South Solar
The Basics of Solar Panels
As a homeowner, you have a few decisions to make before you go ahead and purchase a solar system.
There are two main types of solar technologies:
- Solar Thermal
- and Solar PV
In short, people should use Solar Thermal for their water heater and Solar PV for all other electrical necessities. Many people tend to use Solar PV as it is a newer technology that lasts longer and doesn’t freeze in the winter (good for people in the PNW).
Still wondering why you should go solar and what type of solar panels are best for you? When determining if you should go solar, you must figure out what type of solar panels are best for your home. The answer to this will be based on your energy consumption and needs. You can read this article to learn more about the pros and cons of each.
Lastly, you have to decide if you want to have a grid-tied or off-grid solar system for your home. Again, there are pros and cons to each but what it basically comes down to is the cost and how self-sufficient you would like your home to be.
An off-grid system will provide you with a sense of independence from the region’s electric supplier. This is because your home will not lose electricity during power outages which in turn will save your perishable foods in the fridge. On the other hand, a grid-tied system costs less, but you will still be subject to power outages.
KDA Homes partners with True South Solar to build Zero-Energy residential homes in Southern Oregon, so that new homeowners can enjoy the benefits of having solar energy without having to decide which solar system will be ideal for their house.
Check out Oregon’s first Zero Energy certified community, Verde Village in Ashland. Each home comes standard with an attached garage, high-quality amenities, and energy-efficient features.
The Financial Benefits of Having Solar Panels
Depending on how many solar panels you have and your household’s energy consumption, your local electricity company could potentially start paying you each month… how cool is that?
Do you remember the last time there was a major power outage that lasted longer than your fridge could keep cold? I remember just this past year having to throw everything in my freezer out from a multi-day power outage. Not only was this a financial burden, but it also made me realize how reliant I was on the power companies on a day-to-day basis.
With solar panels, homeowners can take control of their electricity consumption. Furthermore, if you make the decision to use a battery storage device to store your energy from the day to use at night you can gain complete energy independence!
As for upkeep and maintenance costs, when it comes to solar panels, they are very minimal. In order for them to work there can’t be anything blocking them from the sun. This means you need to remove any leaves, tree branches or bird poop need to be wiped away about 3 times a year. Luckily, there are affordable professional services that will climb on your roof and take care of everything for you.
With True South Solar’s most energy-efficient solar panels, you can rest assured your solar system is making the most of your investment.
Go Solar It’s Affordable and Empowering!
Getting a solar system is affordable and empowering to homeowners. This eco-friendly renewable resource speaks for itself in providing homes with everything they need. However, going solar is more than just about helping the environment, it provides a safety net for your family.
Look at solar panels as an opportunity for your household to save money throughout the year and to become a more self-sustaining property.
Green Building makes sense for our planet, our health, and our wallet. What more can you ask for?
At KDA Homes, our mission is to be pioneers in smarter home design leading the way for sustainability in residential development and green building. If you’re interested in being a part of a sustainable community in Ashland, Oregon please contact us today to learn more about KDA Homes currently on the market.
