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Is It Worth It to Install Solar in Texas?

Are you a Texan wondering if it’s worth it to install solar panels on your rooftop? There’s a reason why solar panels are becoming more popular, and you’ll find that Texas homes in particular greatly benefit from them. Solar Bear Dallas is here to tell you why it’s worth it to install solar in Texas!

Does Texas Provide a Good Environment for Solar Energy?

As you might have already expected, solar panels work best in places that see the most sunlight. Texas is actually one of the top states for installing solar, given that it has some of the most direct sunlight exposure. In fact, the sun shines bright in the state for two-thirds of the year! This means that Texas provides the best conditions for solar panels to thrive without a shadow of a doubt.

The Cost of Solar in Texas vs The Amount of Savings

Part of estimating the worth of any product is determining the cost versus the return on investment. While the pricing of solar panels depends on a handful of factors such as your energy usage, the size of your home, and the number of panels that you need, the fact remains that you can qualify for a federal tax incentive for your solar panel installation of up to 30%.

In Texas, the average amount of savings from this incentive is around $9,000! Depending on the cost of your solar panel installation, you could be free of energy-related payments with a payback period of as soon as 10 years. And once your panels are completely paid off and you eliminate your energy costs, you could be pocketing an average of $130 a month or $1,500 a year!

The Effect of Solar Panels on Texas Property Value

The amount of savings that solar panels bring to the table makes them a desirable asset to anyone looking to buy a house. So not only will you be increasing your chances of selling your home sooner than later, but you can also add your solar panels to your listing price. Depending on your setup, your solar panels can add nearly $12,000 to your final total.

Bottom Line

Texas ranks fifth in the entire country for the highest amount of energy usage. Having solar panels installed on your home can help reduce the state’s overall carbon footprint while saving you money. There is really nothing to lose, and only so much to gain. As long as you go with the best contractors in your area, you can be set for life!

Contact Solar Bear Dallas For Solar Energy In Texas!

Solar Bear Dallas is the best place to turn to for installing the best solar panel setup for your Texas home. Our experts can accurately evaluate your energy usage and suggest the best recommendations for noticeable results. We’ve been equipping homes all over Texas with solar panel systems that our customers absolutely love, so you can rely on us to take care of your solar energy needs. Call (727) 471-7442 today for a free estimate!

Beat Inflation and Rising Utility Costs with Solar

Inflation has become such a big problem in the past year to the point where it’s now a popular topic amongst the general public. Many individuals are fighting any way they can just to make ends meet, only to exhaust themselves in the process. Don’t let this happen to you! Solar Bear Dallas is here to show you how you can beat inflation and rising utility costs with solar energy.

Today’s Struggle with Electricity Prices

Just how bad is our current inflation status? Electricity prices alone have gone up by nearly 16% which is about an extra $150 tacked on to the average energy bill. There’s no telling how long this economic crisis will last, so you can imagine how much that extra charge will stack up by the end of it. And of course, electricity isn’t the only expense that’s been affected by inflation. Food, gas, cars and car parts, and even furniture have all been increasing in price. You can save literally thousands of dollars with the help of a solar panel system.

How Solar Energy Can Counteract Utility Inflation

In truth, any number of solar panels is better than having no solar panels at all, since you’ll undoubtedly see some amount of savings. However, imagine having enough solar panels to power your entire home and take you off the general electrical grid for good. You’ll no longer be paying for electricity and the money you save can be going toward your investment instead. Even if you end up using your savings for other necessities, the fact remains that you’ll be avoiding one of the main expenses affected by inflation.

Extra Tips for Saving Money

To get the absolute most out of your solar panel setup, there are a few things you can do to make your life so much easier for yourself in the near future:

1. Install solar panels as soon as you can. There’s a big possibility that inflation will continue to rise, so the longer you put off installing solar panels the more money you’ll miss out on saving.
2. Use your savings to pay off your solar panels sooner than later. Once you completely pay off your panels and you’re collecting enough energy to stay off the electrical grid, you will truly be self-sufficient and free of energy-related payments.
3. Consider net metering. If you end up with extra solar energy that’s not being put to use, you can send it over to your utility company and acquire credit to use toward your next bill, assuming your solar setup isn’t enough to cover all of your energy usage.

Get Solar Panels in Dallas, Texas!

Ready to nip inflation in the bud? Call Solar Bear Dallas at (727) 471-7442 for a free estimate on your solar panel installation. We can evaluate your property and decide how many panels you need to have a self-sustaining home. With the best solar panel brands and the impeccable service of industry experts, you’re guaranteed to save a great deal of money by coming to us!

Best Battery Types for Solar

What happens to the solar energy that you don’t use throughout the day? Rather than letting it go to waste, many solar panel owners invest in batteries to store their extra solar power. But before you go walking into the store to pick out the first battery you see, you should know that there are various kinds available, each with different qualities and purposes. Solar Bear Houston is here to inform you of the best battery types for your solar panel system.

Lead Acid Batteries

As the first type of solar storage battery, lead acid batteries are the most common because many people have already relied on them for many years. They’re cheap to produce, which makes them the most cost-effective option (yet another reason for their popularity). As a bonus, these types of batteries can easily be recycled, so there’s minimal harm to the environment. These batteries actually come in two different formats: Flooded lead acid and sealed lead acid.

Flooded Lead Acid Batteries	Sealed Lead Acid Batteries
● Requires water replacement ● Needs to be vented occasionally	● No maintenance needed ● Lower performance

Lithium-Ion Batteries

In what almost felt like an overnight phenomenon, lithium-ion batteries have gained rapid popularity during the past couple of years. A big reason for this is the standardization of all-electric vehicles in the car industry. Many EVs utilize lithium-ion batteries because of their long lifespan with little to no required maintenance. If things keep up, lithium-ion batteries are looking to be the new norm in the near future, especially in the world of solar panels.

Nickel-Cadmium Batteries

Although nickel-cadmium batteries aren’t as popular as the first two options, they’re still a viable choice for storing solar energy. This is because they can work without needing a complex management system, and they can withstand extreme temperatures. It would be rare to find this kind of battery installed in a residential home, but nickel-cadmium batteries are an excellent choice for large-scale operations.

Flow Batteries

Flow batteries are a rather new option that hasn’t been heard of by many people yet. This kind of battery is water-based and involves liquid movement between two chambers. This modern and intuitive take on battery storage comes with plenty of benefits that are hard to pass up. They have the longest lifespan, require minimal maintenance, and are fire retardant for added safety. And with a maximum depth of discharge, you can completely use up the battery without causing any wear and tear. But with the high cost of flow batteries still being a fresh invention, it’s mainly used for larger establishments. But in time, maybe we’ll see flow batteries adapt to become more practical for residential use.

Get Suggestions from Solar Panel Experts In Houston!

If you need some help deciding on which type of battery is perfect for your solar energy needs, consult the professionals at Solar Bear Houston! We’ll be able to give you expert advice regarding solar energy storage and give you the best recommendations so you can make the most out of your solar panel setup. Call (727) 471-7442 today!

Do Solar Panels Work During a Power Outage?

If your solar system is grid-tied, you will have access to the power grid to offset any power that your solar panels do not produce. But when the power goes out, will you have power?

The quick answer is no, your solar panels will not be able to power your home or business during a power outage. An exception is if your system is equipped with energy storage such as a solar battery, then you can use your solar energy for power during a power outage.

Our team at Solar Bear Orlando explains!

What is On-Grid Solar?

If your solar system is grid-tied, you will be connected to your local utility’s grid. You will be able to draw power from the electrical grid when your system isn’t generating energy, and you in turn can send excess energy to the grid for credit, in a system called net metering.

An off-grid system is not connected to the utility grid. In this case, you will not have access to electricity from a utility other than what is generated by your solar system or stored in solar storage batteries. The benefit here is that you will be able to power your home if the power is out.

The caveat here though is that to have a solar system in the city limits of Orlando, it has to be connected to the grid. 

Why Do Power Outages Happen?

We get it. Power outages are pretty inconvenient no matter the time of day, but have you ever wondered why they happen?

Lightning is one of the most common causes of outages, but other weather-related occurrences such as heavy winds or rain could also wipe out your power.

Car accidents can also lead to power outages if power lines or poles are damaged.

If natural causes weren’t enough, utility companies often have routine outages due to maintenance.

Living in areas that are prone to hurricanes and natural disasters doesn’t help. We know that these storms often cause the power to be out for days, weeks, or even months.

How to Use Solar Panels During an Outage

If you want to be able to draw electricity when the power goes out with a grid-tied system, you will want to install a method of energy storage, such as a solar storage battery.

Installing one or more solar batteries will allow you to store the unused power that is generated by your solar system. You will also be able to draw on that power without putting utility workers in danger in the event that the grid is down. 

By diverting the excess solar energy from your solar panels to a backup battery, you can power essential appliances and the most important rooms in your home during an outage.

While a generator can be a temporary solution, they run on fossil fuels and can be quite dangerous to use. Solar storage batteries make storing excess energy safe. Plus, you have the freedom to choose how much you want to back up in case of a power outage.

Solar Batteries

A solar energy storage battery stores the unused electricity in the battery. During a blackout, they can power:

• Lights
• Mobile devices
• Refrigerators
• Cooktops
• Medical devices

However, it is important to note that backup batteries don’t provide enough power for the average HVAC system, since that requires a lot of electricity to keep going.

How long your battery lasts will depend on its storage capacity. The higher it is, the longer you can weather through an outage, given conservative energy consumption. Most solar batteries have apps that will also let you monitor real-time usage.

Stay Powered During an Outage

If you want greater peace of mind during a power outage in Florida, it might be time to have a solar system installed by our team at Solar Bear Orlando. We can help you decide which size is right for your property and get you set up with a solar storage battery system so you can use your excess energy in a blackout.

Ready to get started? Call us today at (727) 471-7442!