In our latest development project on Black Street, one of our customers opted to add rooftop solar panels to their Module home after purchasing it. While our homes are already built to be incredibly energy-efficient, adding solar takes it to the next level. As part of the Zero Energy Ready Home Program, Module’s homes use electricity to power the house, rather than gas. This makes it possible for the home to be completely “Net Zero” with enough solar panels to offset the home’s energy consumption.
With the help of Ian Smith, the Director of Residential Consultations at EIS Solar, here are some reasons why you should consider adding solar power to your next project (or maybe in your next Module development!)
A bird's eye view of the Black Street development - can you spot the solar panels?
1. Solar pays for itself (in as low as 8 years)
You may have heard that solar can “pay for itself” and that it ends up being cheaper than living on the grid - that’s true! The cost of installation is about as much as you would spend on a new car - the price could vary, but the average price is about $25,000. With the current tax incentive for solar at around 26% for the federal income tax credit, plus the electric savings, the payback period ranges anywhere from 8 to 15 years.
2. Solar energy combats greenhouse gas emissions
Solar energy is clean energy! Because solar power derives its energy from the sun, you can help combat greenhouse gas emissions by installing a solar power system in your home. Electricity is traditionally sourced from fossil fuels, which both emit harmful gases and cause air pollution when they’re burned. Because they’re a finite resource, their price is unpredictable and can fluctuate quickly. With solar energy, you can avoid all of this and live off of clean, pure energy.
Solar grid on a home in our Black Street development
3. You can receive Solar Renewable Energy Credits to cash in
While the State of Pennsylvania doesn’t have homeowner rebates or grants as incentives to install solar power, they do have a good net metering policy, as well as Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Solar owners get SRECs for every 1000 kilowatt-hour of solar energy they produce, regardless of if that energy is used in their homes or sent back to the grid. The SRECs can be sold for additional revenue on top of what you save with your utility.
4. Avoid electric outages
If your home is powered with solar energy rather than being tied to the grid, you can avoid any electric outages that might hit your neighborhood if you have battery storage. This means that you don’t have to wait with your neighbors for the electric company to come and allow you to open your refrigerator again.
Interested in building a solar-powered home or community? Get in touch with us here!