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Do I Still Have to Pay FPL If I Have Solar?

Ready to break up with Florida Power and Light (FPL)? Installing a solar system could be the answer you’ve been waiting for. Solar Bear of Tampa knows that it’s them, it’s definitely not you. Read on to learn what factors current FPL customers should consider when deciding to go solar.

If you are tired of relying on the utility giant, installing solar panels will indeed allow you to use less FPL electricity. But before you make that awkward breakup call, first consider the cost of a solar system. Several variables go into a system diagnostic – monthly electricity usage, shading or other obstacles, your roof direction, and the location of your home, just to name a few. Our team offers a complimentary energy audit that assesses each home and its electrical needs. There are also two types of systems to choose from – grid-tied and off-grid systems. The latter involves no electrical grid assistance and would require the homeowner to purchase a solar battery to store any excess energy.

With a grid-tied system, FPL offers a full retail net metering program for those that add solar to their home. You must apply for this program but once approved, FPL will install a bi-directional meter at your home. This meter will track the electricity sent and taken from the grid. Any excess electricity will be sold to FPL’s grid and either deducted from your monthly bill or credited toward a future bill. With FPL’s full retail net metering program, every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy produced is worth the same amount that a utility company charges for electricity. For example, if FPL charges $0.05 per kWh for electricity, then every kWh of solar energy produced is also $0.05.

There are two other areas to note when considering solar as an FPL customer. Solar panels will not be able to cover the entire electric bill so yes, you will still have an FPL memento to carry. It is in the form of a $25 minimum bill requirement that cannot be offset, no matter how much solar energy was produced. That one might sting but there’s a silver lining with the annual true-up held every January. FPL’s net metering program examines and adjusts for differences between estimated and actual solar consumption and production. If you have excess net metering credits at the time of the true-up, FPL will pay you roughly the average annual cost of generation per kWh before resetting the credit bank.

FPL may serve half of Florida’s residents but don’t be afraid to be your own light! If you are interested in learning more about solar energy for your home, speak with our team of experts at Solar Bear of Tampa. Call us at (727) 741-7442 or schedule your free estimate online today!

Can I Run My House Entirely on Solar?

The impending fall season may have you questioning just how far a solar system setup can realistically go. Is it possible for a house to run wholly on solar energy? Solar Bear of Tampa takes a look at what it takes to meet a house’s entire energy needs.

If you can provide for even half of your home’s electrical needs using solar energy, you are already making a significant economic and ecological impact. This amount reduces greenhouse emissions while also earning you financial incentives and free electricity through net metering.

But is it possible to rely solely on solar energy for your home? It’s definitely doable, though first, you will need to consider the following factors:

• How much energy you use
• Whether your home has space for a solar setup
• Specific weather patterns or shading obstacles
• And, whether to be on or off the grid system.

Electrical usage is the most critical variable that can affect your decision. During an energy audit consultation, installers will examine recent electricity bills, weather and climate patterns in your area, and your family’s energy needs. Here in Florida, a solar system will produce more electricity in the summer than in the winter, so it’s important to gather data to determine the best system fit.

A traditional roof-mounted solar system must be installed in a bright, sunny area that isn’t affected by trees or shading. If that is impossible, but you have available ground space, you may want to consider a ground-mounted solar system. This type of setup can be positioned in an ideal direction and can tilt for optimal solar production.

Both on and off-grid systems can help you achieve a fully solar-powered home. The difference between the two systems is where any excess solar will be stored and how electricity is accessed should you lose power. With an on-grid or grid-tied system, any surplus electricity produced is not stored but rather sent to the power grid in exchange for utility credits towards your bills. This process is called net metering. Off-grid systems use battery storage (that must be bought separately) to store excess energy. This option is totally energy independent, but users must be conscious of their electrical usage, because there is no way to draw extra electricity from the grid.

If you want to learn more about the most efficient solar panel system for your needs, schedule a free estimate with Solar Bear of Tampa. With the help of our professional team, making these improvements could be easier than you think. Call us at (727) 741-7442 today!

Do Solar Panels Increase My Property Taxes in Texas?

When people look into solar panel installation for the first time, one of the most frequent questions is about property taxes. It comes as no surprise that having solar panels can greatly increase the value of any home, but does that also mean you’ll be seeing similar inflation when it comes to taxes? Solar Bear Dallas breaks down everything there is to know about solar panel incentives in Texas.

How Solar Panels Increase a Property’s Value

Because Texas is home to the highest energy users in the country, home buyers will jump at the chance to own a house that comes with solar panels pre-installed. Why? For immediate savings on their electric bill, of course. This phenomenon has led to a drastic increase in property value for any building equipped with solar panels with up to three dollars more per wattage with a total of over $20,000 altogether. For these reasons, solar-powered homes tend to sell much faster than houses without them. But the big question is how solar panels affect property taxes, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the answer.

The Texas Property Tax Code Explained

Thanks to the Texas Property Tax Code, you can get a full exemption on the property value that solar panels add to your home. This means that whenever your home’s value is evaluated for tax calculations, the cost of your solar panels will not be included, which can lead to a great deal of savings over time. If your solar panel installation increases your property value from $210,000 to $235,000, your taxes will only account for the $210,000, almost as if you don’t have solar in the first place. This is just one of the many ways that Texas officials are combatting the overall cost of the state’s high energy usage.

Additional Solar Incentives in Texas

The Texas Property Tax Code isn’t the only incentive for solar panel owners in Texas. As the benefits of solar panels become increasingly recognized, those with the power to do so will do what they can to entice the average homeowner to get them installed in hopes of them becoming more standardized for a greener climate.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

Until December 2022, you can get 26% of your solar panel installation cost deducted from the final price. Depending on the specifics of your particular installation, you could be seeing an average savings of around four thousand dollars! After December 2022 (and until December 2023), this percentage will decrease to 22%, so it’s better to get it done sooner than later.

Local Utility Company Solar Rebates

Depending on who you go through, some companies will offer rebates on the total cost of your solar panels. Each company is different, so it pays to seek out an expert’s help in finding you the best deals in your area.

Let Solar Bear Dallas Upgrade Your Home with Solar!

If you want to maximize your solar panel savings but are overwhelmed at all of the different programs and possibilities, let Solar Bear Dallas lend you a helping hand! We can equip your property with the best solar setup for you and we’ll make sure that you get all of the incentives that you deserve for playing your part in a greener environment. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 for a free estimate!

What Are Bifacial Solar Panels?

You can probably infer from the name itself that bifacial solar panels are built with two faces. But why are some panels designed this way, and how do they work any differently from traditional mono-facial solar panels? The experts at Solar Bear Houston are here to inform you about everything you need to know about bifacial solar panels.

The Structure of a Bifacial Solar Panel

On a traditional solar panel, the solar-collecting modules are located on one side of the panel. The major difference with bifacial solar panels is that these modules are found on both sides of the panel so they can continuously collect energy, no matter the orientation of the sun. Since both sides are heavily subjected to UV rays, they are built to be more durable and longer-lasting. They come in a variety of styles so that you can build your ideal setup for the best solar experience. You can get them either framed or frameless, and you can choose between a dual-glass composition or one with clear back sheets. But no matter what you go with, bifacial solar panels in general are incredibly beneficial in a number of ways.

The Solar Energy-Generating Benefits

The efficiency of your bifacial solar panels is heavily dependent on the backdrop. This is because any light that reaches the ground bounces back up onto the opposite side of the solar panel. In that case, having a light or dark rooftop can make or break your energy-collecting capability. Regardless, your bifacial solar panels will be able to capture more light than traditional mono-facial solar panels. If you set up your bifacial panel to be completely vertical, it will be able to capture the sun’s rays during both sunrise and sunset, as opposed to only one or the other.

Do I Need Bifacial Solar Panels?

While bifacial solar panels sound like they only have a good handful of pros with absolutely zero cons, they’re the most ideal for commercial use. This is because bifacial solar panels generate a great deal of energy that only high-output buildings can handle. Plus, bifacial solar panels are typically installed aboveground, and commercial buildings are more likely to have the extra space for them. Most homeowners go with mono-facial solar panels with roof installation so they can still use their yards and maintain the curb appeal of their properties. Still, if you were looking into bifacial solar panels for your residential home, it’s not entirely out of the question. A professional solar panel expert, like the ones at Solar Bear Houston, will be able to evaluate your home and show you the best places to install your panels. They will also make recommendations as to which kind of solar panels will benefit you most based on your specific home needs.

Where to Get Bifacial Solar Panels in Texas

You don’t need to be an expert on solar panels in order to achieve a decent setup. If you live in Texas, you have professional contractors right next door! Solar Bear Houston is staffed by only the best contractors in the area with the highest-quality solar panels at an affordable price. Call (727) 471-7442 today to be greeted by our friendly staff and receive a free quote!