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What Happens to My Solar If the Power Goes Out?

If you own solar panels, you may be wondering whether or not you can still use solar energy during a blackout. It all depends on your particular setup and any extra solar appliances you may be using. Don’t worry, the experts at Solar Bear Dallas are here to teach you what happens to your solar if the power goes out!

Solar Panels on the Main Electric Grid

Most solar panel systems are connected to the local power grid so that your home can still be powered after sundown and so any unused solar energy can be repurposed back into the power lines. However, this means that your solar panels will be affected in the case of a power outage. Why is that, and what can you do to keep your power on during blackouts?

The Grid’s Automated Shut-Off System

Electric grids are designed with an automated shut-off system for when there’s a power outage so that even solar panel networks become unusable. This is meant to function as a safety precaution for when utility workers attempt to fix the power lines, otherwise, there will be a chance of them sustaining injuries from voltage-related accidents. However, there’s a way to be completely free from the grid so these occurrences won’t apply to you.

Using Solar Energy Off the Power Grid

When people imagine solar panels, they think of a completely self-sustaining power source with no repercussions. Although this might not be the case with most basic solar panel systems, this dream is still very possible with the help of solar storage batteries.

How Do Solar Batteries Work?

If your solar panel system is connected to the main electric grid, any extra solar energy that isn’t being used is sent back to the grid which is also known as net metering. You can save money on your monthly electric bill this way, or you can put that excess energy into a solar battery to be used later such as during a power outage. A solar battery allows you to easily (and sometimes automatically) transition from grid power to battery power by disconnecting your solar panels from the main grid.

The Main Causes for Power Outages

What would cause your home to lose power in the first place? There are many different causes for power outages, some of them intentional but most of them out of anyone’s control. Examples include:

• Intense weather conditions such as lightning, high winds, and rainfall.
• Damaged poles and power lines from car accidents and other sources of impact.
• Scheduled routine maintenance by the electric company.
• Other uncommon reasons such as wildlife activity.

No matter the reason, you could continue to live in a powered home during an outage with the right solar panel setup installed by expert solar contractors near you.

Let Solar Bear Dallas Install Your Solar System!

Looking for the best solar company in Texas? Solar Bear Dallas can install top-quality solar panels on your property that can be supported by a solar battery that helps you during blackouts. Call (727) 471-7442 today for a free estimate!

Is It Harder to Sell a House with Solar Panels?

Do you plan to sell your house at some point, whether it be now or sometime in the future? You may be wondering if it’s harder to sell a house with solar panels already installed. You’ll be glad to know that solar-powered properties benefit both the buyer and the seller for mutual satisfaction. Solar Bear Houston is here to walk you through the process of what it’s like to sell a house that’s built to support solar energy.

How Solar Boosts Your Property Value

Solar panels are an investment, and all investments can be cashed out when the time is right. All it takes to get the most value out of your solar system is to go with top-quality panels and keep up with regular maintenance. Solar panels are already a low-maintenance asset, but putting in a bit of extra work to make them more appealing (like clearing off the dust) will make them more desirable on the market. Depending on the situation, you can tack on as much as $15,000 to your home’s original property value!

What Home Buyers Think of Solar Panels

How does it feel to buy a home with solar panels already installed? The idea of a house generating its own source of electricity without needing to pay any electric bills is extremely enticing to any home buyer which is why most people will gladly pay the extra sum. In fact, solar panels are so attractive to the point where they can be used as a major selling point on a property listing, taking the top spot as the main advertised feature. Homes with solar panels tend to sell roughly 20% faster than any other normal listing, and it helps to seek out a realtor who already has experience selling houses with solar panels pre-installed.

Solar Benefits as a Buyer

What are all of the benefits that you receive as a buyer to the point where spending an extra $15k is completely warranted? Solar panels pay for themselves in time in a number of ways and having them come already installed just makes the savings that much easier:

• Lower or non-existent electric bills
• A self-sustainable property
• Minimal or no cost of maintenance
• Possible tax incentives

Selling Owned vs Leased Solar Panels

While selling a home with solar panels is a no-brainer, selling a home with leased solar panels is a different story. It’s much harder to sell a house with leased solar panels because it makes the transition between seller and buyer much more complicated, and it doesn’t even add any real value to your property to begin with. There’s more paperwork involved, and the buyer would need a qualifying credit score in order to take over the existing lease. Buyers want to own their pre-installed solar panels to immediately see the savings with minimum effort, not take over a rental agreement on top of the main house-buying process. So if you’re going to improve your home with solar panels for greater success in selling it in the future, make sure you buy them from the best solar company in Texas!

Improve Your Home With The Best Solar Panels In Houston!

At Solar Bear Houston, we can boost the value of your property with a high-quality solar panel system with expert installation. We’ll make sure your home is good enough to sell when the time comes by topping it with a solar system that your future buyer won’t be able to resist. Call (727) 471-7442 today for a free estimate!

FPL Rate Increase In 2023 Means It’s Time to Switch To Solar

If you live in Orlando, you likely have Florida Power & Light as your utility provider. If so, in 2023, you will see yet another increase in your power bills. FPL has said that the increase is part of a 4-year base rate plan, but this time around, with rising fuel costs, these rate increases are going to make an even bigger impact on customers’ wallets.

So, what can you do to combat these rising rates? Install solar and sign up for net metering of course! Our team at Solar Bear Orlando explains!

How Much are Electricity Rates Going to Go Up in 2023?

For 2023, FPL outlines the following rate increases:

• 1,000 kWh or less, nearly a $5 base rate increase
• Over 1,000 kWh, will increase even more but not yet specified

FPL increases in 2022 hit customers quite hard. In fact, there was a protest where customers asked the Florida legislature for help with bill relief.

FPL said that they understood the frustration with the rate increases, but are working to try and ease the transition.

Once the increase is approved by the Public Service Commission, the new rates will start on January 1st, 2023.

What is the 4-Year Base Rate Plan?

FPL released their approved 4-year base rate plan that increases energy usage rates for a temporary time. Overall, the plan is meant to even out and lower costs by the end of that timeframe. 

Though this is a good goal for the energy giant, the rising fuel costs and inflation are putting a wrench in the gears. Instead of a decrease, they are looking at an increase in rates.

Will Going Solar Help?

Absolutely! FPL has a strong solar power initiative that offers plenty of ways to save on rising costs. If customers choose to put a solar system on their roof, they can take part in net metering programs that allow them to use their solar power, plus give excess energy to the grid thus lowering their overall costs.

Most people who switch to solar can save $10,000 to $30,000 on electricity over the lifespan of the solar system.

How much you will save depends on several factors though and they include:

• Hours of direct sunlight per day
• Size and angle of your roof
• Local electricity rates

The more you pay for electricity, the more you can offset with a solar system.

How Much Do Solar Panels Save You on Electric Bills?

The first step to understanding your solar savings is to calculate how much you are currently spending on energy costs each year. For example, if you take the average annual electricity use that is required to run a U.S. household, 10,649 kWh, and multiply it by the national average electricity rate of $.14 per kWh, you will find that the average American family is spending around $1,500 on electricity alone. Of course, this number is an average and fluctuates based on where you live, your climate, and other factors.

As we have seen with the FPL increases, utility rates are volatile and change frequently. This is an added incentive for installing solar. When you generate your own energy with a rooftop photovoltaic system, you are locking in your electricity costs so you no longer have to worry about the ever-changing utility company rates.

Will I Still Have an Electric Bill if I Go Solar?

Yes, you will still receive an electric bill from your local utility company after installing solar panels, but it will be dramatically less than it was before, especially if you sign up for net metering.

Net metering credits may be added to your utility account to offset electricity costs if your system generates more electricity than your home needs. This electricity is sent to the grid, so your utility will give you back credits in the form of net metering.

Installing solar panels will most certainly lead to lower monthly energy bills, and can in some cases eliminate the monthly bill completely.

It’s Time to Switch to Solar

Ready to say goodbye to FPL’s volatile electricity rates? Go solar with Solar Bear Orlando today! It is a powerful thing when you take your energy into your own hands. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 for a solar installation quote!

Florida Solar Rebates You’ll Want to Know About

New year, new you…new solar panels? If you’re considering installing a solar system in your home or business, you may be wondering how much you can earn in financial incentives. The truth is a lot! When combined, local, state, and federal incentives can add up and solidify what a lucrative purchase of a solar system can be for Florida homeowners and businesses. Solar Bear of Tampa has compiled a list of financial incentives you can expect when going solar.

Most people don’t know that installing solar panels can instantly increase your home’s value by over 4% and help you save up to $30,000 across their lifespan. With stats like these, it’s no wonder why the rising popularity of solar energy has led to incredible financial incentives for Florida residents. Currently, all solar system users are exempt from paying sales tax on solar, which significantly reduces the final cost of your system through the Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption. Solar is also exempt from property taxes for residential solar panels by the Property Tax Exclusion for Residential Renewable Energy Property exemption. This means that county tax collectors can overlook a home’s solar system when assessing value. These statewide incentives are especially appealing to those who would be subject to sales and property taxes on any other home improvement investments.

Pair these perks with the ever-popular net metering program and you are off to a great start! Depending on your solar system and any incentives you opted into, a bi-directional meter can be installed with your system. If your solar panels produce more electricity than necessary, any excess will be sent back to the utility grid. As it flows into the meter, you earn equal credit on a future utility bill. Currently, Tampa Electric Company (TECO), Duke Energy, and Florida Power & Light (FPL) all offer utility net metering programs in Florida

Our team of energy experts at Solar Bear of Tampa can assist with any financial questions while we customize a solar installation that works for you. Call us at (727) 471-7442 or request a free estimate today.