Solar Panels: Are They Worth It?

Douglas Homes always strives to be a source of knowledge for its customers.  We go above and beyond to make sure we are on top of the current trends and to ensure we have information to share with our prospects and current customers.  With the current "green" push, we have been doing a lot of research about solar panels and geothermal energy.

Most people who purchase solar panels for their home fall into two categories: those who want to live green and those who want to save green.  Unfortunately, for most people living in Maryland, solar panels will not save you much money.  Of course, this depends upon several factors, such as how much sunlight your home receives and what your monthly energy bill is now. (Visit this link to calculate your average savings).  However, many feel if there is an opportunity to do something eco-friendly, why not go for it?  We agree.

We have compiled a short list of the pros and cons of solar panels.  Here they are:

Pros:


1. Homeowners are eligible for a 30% tax credit on the cost of the solar systems (panels must be UL or OSHA certified to be eligible)
2. No cap on the credit amount
3. Clean energy source
4. Maryland has exempted solar energy systems from sales and use taxes
5. Prices for solar panels have dropped between 20-25%

Cons:


1. Can be extremely expensive--prices range from $50,000 to $680,000 for a house 4,000-5,000 SF
2.  In a state like Maryland, many people never see savings on their energy bill due to the lack of sun in the winter
3. Most aren't visually appealing (those that are can be very pricey)


Finally, we at Douglas Homes are here to serve the needs of our customers.  If you are interested in solar panels, we can assist you with this.  We believe geothermal energy is also a good route to go and we have loads of information on both.  (Look for a later post about geothermal).

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions!  Visit our website for contact info!

Best,

Douglas Homes