The Solar Savings Direct, Inc Blog

Looking to hire a solar contractor but aren't sure if you want to commit the time and money? Check out this guide for all the reasons to go forward with it!

There are a few things you should know about batteries for your solar equipment. Keep reading or contact us today to learn more.

Modern homes have access to a myriad of new features homeowners love, including solar panels. Here's why modern homes are switching to solar energy.

Investing in solar energy can be a great way for businesses to improve their finances, and it can also help the way they're viewed by potential customers, as well. If you haven't considered solar, now's the time to see what it can offer. Here are five of the biggest reasons for your business to invest in solar. 1. Big Tax Breaks The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) significantly reduces the cost of solar installation. It's designed to deduct a percentage of the system's cost from federal taxes, that that can mean big savings. Many states also have tax saving programs for solar, too. 2. Ongoing Energy Savings Over time, a business that uses solar can save a lot of money on its energy bills, Especially for large businesses or those that use a lot of power, solar can be a great way to reduce the impact of energy bills on the company's bottom line. If a lot of your company's potential profit is going to the power company's bill every month, solar might be right for your needs. 3. Grid Independence For businesses that need to keep running even if the power goes out, solar can be the right choice. You'll have far less dependence on the power grid when you have a solar system, so you can keep working though power outages and related issues. 4. Increased Property Value If you want to improve the value of your business' real property you can do that with solar. Commercial properties that have solar installed have higher values when compared to similar properties without solar panels. 5. Net Metering When your solar system makes more power than your business uses you can feed that power back to the grid. Utility companies buy this power, and that can mean a big savings off of any power you do need to use from time to time. It could even put money in your business' pocket. There are some big reasons to consider solar for your business, and you can get a significant amount of value from it in most cases. Finding out if solar is right for your company is easy, and will give you the opportunity to advance your financial goals more easily, for a better long-term future. It’s time for you to take full advantage of solar energy’s benefits. Contact us today to learn more!

If you have solar panels, or you're thinking about getting a solar system, you might have maintenance on your mind. Fortunately, solar panels don't really have moving parts that need a lot of upkeep, so maintaining them isn't a complicated process. Still, though, you'll need to be aware of their basic performance and condition, so you can maintain them or have them repaired as necessary. Dirt and debris can get onto your panels over time, and that can affect how well they do their job. Especially if you've had a big storm recently, experienced a long dry spell, or haven't performed any maintenance on your panels in a while, cleaning them can help. You can use a bucket of water or a hose, and just rinse or spray them off. If you aren't comfortable getting onto a ladder or the roof, it's easy and usually inexpensive to hire someone to wash off your panels for you, too. That's really the only kind of self-maintenance task your panels need, but it's a good idea to have them professionally inspected once per year, as well. That way, any potential issues beyond normal maintenance can be quickly corrected, so your panels stay working the way they should. There are even apps that can give you information about how well your panels are performing, so you can see when they need a maintenance rinse or other support. How often you need to clean your solar panels depends on where you live. A desert area could mean more build-up of dust on your panels, but an area with stormy weather might lead to increased debris such as leaves. It's important not to let too much time pass, though, because panels can be harder to clean if they become dirty and stay that way for a while.  The company that installs your panels, along with the manual that comes with them, can provide you with good scheduling advice. Having a schedule makes budgeting for maintenance easier, since you know basically what to expect. Maintenance is generally not very expensive, but it's still a good idea to be aware of and prepared for the costs of keeping your solar panels in good shape. If you have any other questions, check out our FAQ page or contact us today !

Are you wondering what questions you should ask before working with a solar contractor? Continue reading to learn some more information.

There are a lot of great ways to increase the value of your property, and one of them is adding solar panels. Studies have shown that installing solar can make your home's resale value rise, and that can mean it's more attractive to buyers. That's especially important if those buyers are interested in lower operating costs and better energy efficiently. Here's what to know about how and why a solar system may improving your home's property value, and whether you should consider it. Choosing Solar Is a Big Step A lot of homeowners worry about choosing solar because they aren't sure about installing it or financing it . They may also have concerns about how it affects their ability to sell their home later, and even whether the panels will damage their roof. While all of these concerns are understandable, the evidence is overwhelming that solar is a valuable asset for a homeowner when it's installed properly by trusted and competent professionals. Your Property Can Sell for More The relationship between solar systems and property values has been studied for decades, and from those original studies to newer ones the results are the same. Homes with solar panels typically sell for around 4% more than homes that don't have them, all other factors being equal. There are outliers, of course, but the large number of homes included in many of these studies shows that homeowners can expect an increase in property value and a higher sales price when they have solar. You May Also Sell Faster Another important point when choosing solar is that homes may sell faster than similar homes that don't offer solar systems. That occurs because up to 80% of buyers are now looking for homes that are more energy efficient. That efficiency helps them live more comfortably in their homes and can also reduce energy bills, giving them some big incentives to choose solar-powered homes. If you're a homeowner and considering a solar system, don't let concerns over what it might do to your home's value stop you. In most cases it should actually increase the value of your home, helping you get back your investment in the system when you sell. If you have any questions, we'd love to help. Contact us today to get started !

If you're thinking about installing solar for your home, you might also be thinking about doing it yourself with the idea of saving money on the installation. While cutting costs can be a great idea, solar panel installation isn't the place where you want to do that. Its never a good idea to install a solar system yourself. Here are just a few of the biggest reasons why you should leave this job to the pros. It Can Be Very Dangerous To install solar panels you'll have to get up on your roof, move and carry heavy items, and work with electricity. Any one of those things can put you at risk, and doing all three of them at once is a recipe for disaster. Even with electrical or construction experience there are a lot of fine details that go into preparing a solar system and installing it properly. Improper installation can also be a fire hazard, since using the wrong materials can stop heat from dissipating properly. You May Not Get Tax Breaks For federal and most state tax incentives and other financial breaks you need to have your system installed by licensed professionals. That means doing it yourself isn't going to give you that level of savings. It's not like many other types of home improvements where you can get a permit, do it yourself, and just have it inspected afterward. You May Damage Your Roof Roof damage is a real possibility during a DIY solar panel install, and professionals know how to get everything in place without causing harm. Don't put your roof at risk when you can let a licensed solar company install your panels with ease. Along with the above-mentioned risks you can also shorten the lifespan of your panels and stop them from working as efficiently as they should. The goal is to get the biggest value from your new solar system, and that can be accomplished much more easily when you let the professionals handle setup and installation. Then, you can use your new solar panels with confidence, safety, and the joy of lower energy bills. Curious about solar? Check out our FAQ page or contact us today !

You can find a lot of information about solar panels, but how much of it is really accurate? Along with all the essential knowledge you want to have before choosing solar, there are also some myths surrounding the panels, how they work, and where they work best. Here are some of the most common myths about solar panels, along with the truth about them. The Panels Only Work in Sunny Regions Solar panels will generate more energy when they're exposed to direct sunlight, but that doesn't mean they won't work well when it's cloudy. Places like Massachusetts, Maine, and even Washington State have plenty of homes with solar panels. These panels can work with both direct and indirect sunlight, so you don't have to worry about them not working if you live in an area that's frequently cloudy. Solar Panels Cause Roof Damage When installed properly, solar panels don't cause damage to your roof. They can even help protect it because they're shielding it from rain, direct sunlight, and other weather elements. If there's a problem with a panel and it needs repair or replacement, professional installers can remove the panel and replace it without causing harm to your roof's structure or covering. They're Too Expensive for Most People It's true that the initial outlay for a solar system can be a lot, but there are financing and leasing options that can help. You can also get a lot of tax incentives when you choose solar panels, bringing the cost down even further. It's also important to consider the long-term financial implications of solar panels, because the real value is in how much money you'll save on power over the years that you have the system. Remember, solar panels can be a big investment in a future where you're less reliant on the grid and can enjoy greatly reduced power bills. They're easy to maintain and they last a long time, too. Whether you're just getting started with considering solar or you're ready to get a system for your home, working with a quality company and trusted installers can make your solar panel experience a better one. If you are ready to s tart saving with solar and protect yourself from rising energy costs, contact us today!