- 1). Calculate how much energy you are going to need. Complete home systems should be based on your current monthly electric consumption. You can get accurate information on your overall electricity usage from your monthly electric bill.
- 2). Decide how much you want to spend. Finances are a major consideration when you purchase a solar cell system. Costs average between $10 and $12 per watt of electricity generated. Keep in mind that it isn't an all-or-nothing proposition. Many customers invest enough to make a difference of 50 percent or more in their electric bills. Over time, the cost of the system is paid for in utility bill savings.
- 3). Check state and federal resources for tax credits. Many states offer tax credits to help cover the installation of qualifying green energy systems, including solar. The federal government also has programs to help offset the cost of implementing green energy. Rules can vary from state to state on which systems qualify.
- 4). Find a supplier who will allow you to purchase just what you need and still qualify for your tax credits. While local suppliers will be more convenient to deal with face-to-face, the best deals may be found online. A few things to keep in mind when comparing solar cell systems would be minimum warrantied power rating, production warranty (25 years is pretty much the industry standard) and efficiency rating of the cells and the inverter, which converts solar-generated DC power into usable alternating current, or AC, power.
- 5). Calculate all the costs and the time it will take for you to recoup your investment before you sign on the dotted line. You can cut installation costs by doing a little research and installing the system yourself. However, if your time is valuable to you, you can hire a contractor to do the installation. If you hire a contractor, be sure to check references so you can be confident you will get quality service.
previous post