Why Go Solar Now in 2024? 5 Keys to Going Solar | DIY Home Comfort

"I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that."
—Thomas Edison

More and more homeowners are installing solar panels to save money on energy bills or reduce their carbon footprint.

But there is more than an economic or environmental motivation behind going solar.

Here are five bright reasons why solar energy is becoming more popular and why you might want to consider it for your home.

In fact, depending on the size of your solar power investment, you might generate all your own electricity or a surplus for which your electric company will pay you.

So even if you don't produce 100 percent of the electricity used in your home, your electricity bills will be reduced, and you'll be saving money.

Unless many people start going solar and reducing their carbon footprint, things could get terrible on Earth soon.

For example, how does your electrical utility generate electricity? Coal? Natural gas?

The average residential solar panel system eliminates three to four tons of carbon emissions yearly. That's equivalent to planting over 100 trees each year.

Increasingly the younger adults buying homes are looking for a smaller carbon footprint.

Homes with solar energy systems have higher property values and sell more quickly than homes without solar panels.

As a homeowner installing a solar energy system, you can expect a return of at least two to three times your initial investment over the 25-year life of the system.

But what if you move? A previous study by the US Dept of Energy found that the increase in the resale value of your home is usually more than enough to cover the initial up-front investment.

The solar industry has been proliferating in the United States. This is creating solar-related jobs that tend to be higher-paying.

The more American homeowners invest in solar energy, the more this domestic industry will grow and create jobs.

Going solar gets you ahead of the curve. You could install the first of many solar energy systems in your neighborhood.

So many homeowners do not yet understand the tremendous value of investing in solar, but your installation could get them thinking.

Let the sunshine into your home by investing in a solar energy system.

First, contact your electrical utility to find out more about connecting to the grid and how you could potentially sell electricity to them.

Next, look into the various incentives offered by federal and state governments and manufacturers.

Finally, consult with a professional solar energy system installer to answer all your questions and find out practically what it would look like to install a system in your home and how much it will cost.

Scott Harding

Scott is the main author of DIY Home Comfort. He's also an experienced HVAC technician that enjoys home renovation and spending time with his family. You can find out more about him here.