Installing solar panels is a decision with many factors worth considering. From the best location to install an array to whether a battery is a useful addition, homeowners have to consider the project from all angles.
For many families in Maryland, solar panel installation makes sense based on their property, their goals, and the incentives available both state- and nation-wide.
Those who are evaluating the merits of a solar array should have all of the information specific to their installation, available to consider. An experienced solar panel installer will make sure that happens.
Here is an overview of what factors to consider when going solar in Maryland, including the role your home plays in solar viability, the questions you should be asking about the future, and how the finances work.
Are Solar Panels Worth the Investment?
One of the most important elements to evaluate when considering going solar is whether the panels are worth the investment for your specific financial situation. To understand this, consider these strategic questions: How much energy is your home using?
What types of panels are available for install in your area, and are they efficient enough for your needs? Additionally, solar panels typically increase the value of a home; are you planning on selling soon, or does a value increase matter less than other elements?
Is Your Home a Good Candidate for Solar Production?
Determining if solar panels are a wise choice will be influenced in large part by your property’s capacity to utilize them. Is your home located in an area that receives direct sunlight for multiple hours per day?
Are there obstacles such as trees, barns, neighboring buildings, or other obstructions that would reduce the effectiveness of a solar array by blocking the sunlight?
Be sure to consider the integrity of your home as well. A structure with a rotting or weakened roof, or one that does not have adequate support in the area underneath the solar array, will not be strong enough to hold the weight of the system.
Since each panel weighs approximately 40 pounds (before the rest of the assembly is factored in), this is a significant amount of weight to plan for. If you are unsure, the installation company can answer your questions.
What Is Your Environmental Impact?
Solar panels offer the greatest benefit when they can substantially offset carbon emissions and the use of other non-green fuels. If your home relies on numerous greenhouse gas-emitting technologies, switching to solar may be even more valuable in your situation.
For instance, homes that use generators produce more carbon than those that do not. Evaluate your environmental impact and how solar panels can reduce that to understand just how powerful an array can be in improving not only your immediate environment but the world at large.
What Incentives Are Available?
Going solar now includes state and federal incentives to make the process more approachable through credits and tax impacts. Be sure to research the options in your area to see if your local jurisdiction incentivizes the installation of a solar array.
On the nation-wide level, a tax credit permits homeowners to claim a credit of 30% on their federal filing for their panels. In Maryland specifically, a statewide property tax exemption ensures that your taxes will not go up due to the increase in value your panels add to your land.
If your panels produce more energy than you use, Maryland participates in net metering, which allows power companies to buy the excess energy from you.
Maryland exempts homeowners from paying sales tax on the equipment required for a solar installation thanks to the solar system sales tax exemption, and your home can generate renewable energy credits to sell on the marketplace, earning some homeowners hundreds of dollars each year.
You may also qualify for the Maryland Residential Clean Energy Grant Program, which provides a rebate of $1,000 for some types of solar systems.
Will You Stay or Sell?
As you evaluate the viability of solar panels in Maryland, consider whether you plan to stay in your home or move out. It will take some time for the panels to pay for themselves (typically around 8 to 12 years, though each home’s production varies).
Staying in your home allows you to reap the long-term benefits of lower monthly costs; however, solar panels increase home value, possibly providing some return on investment when you do sell.
Get Expert Installation from Industry Experts
Whether you have decided to commit to solar panels or are still in the consideration phase, be sure to work with reputable installers to answer questions and receive an estimate.
The experts at Ipsun Solar are part of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, which strives to remain on the cutting edge of advancements in solar technology and installation. Contact Ipsun Solar to schedule an appointment to receive a customized estimate for a solar array.
