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The recent talk about nixing net metering caused a lot of static between solar power users and Big Electric. Luckily for solar devotees, Governor DeSantis vetoed a recent piece of legislation, HB 741, that would have otherwise disrupted the growth of Florida’s solar industry. Solar Bear Tampa takes a look below at why that matters.

Currently, net metering programs allow Floridian solar power users to lower or eliminate their utility bills. If your rooftop solar panels produce more electricity than needed, any excess would be sent through the meter and into the utility electrical grid. As it flows into the meter, you earn credit for each kilowatt (kW) of energy produced on a future utility bill. Presently, Tampa Electric Company (TECO), Duke Energy, and Florida Power & Light (FPL) offer utility net metering programs in Florida. As one of Florida’s main solar financial incentives, this program was hanging in the balance under the recent introduction of HB 741 legislation.

Citing “the worst inflation in 40 years” and “steep increases in the price of gas and groceries,” Governor DeSantis vetoed the bill so as not to “contribute to the financial crunch that our citizens are experiencing.” However, if HB 741 or a similar bill was passed, it would have made a huge impact on the solar industry’s growth. As it was written, the bill was scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2022, with all current solar businesses and residences grandfathered in for twenty years. Those that were interested in installing solar would have to do so by 2024 before utility companies replaced credits with fixed-rate charges. Overall, this would have slashed payment rates to solar customers by 50% in just four years.

Although HB 741 is no longer a concern to Floridians, the federal tax credit or Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for new solar installations is scheduled to drop from 26% to 22% on January 1, 2023. If you are interested in adding a new solar system to your home or business, speak with our team of experts at Solar Bear Tampa. Call us at (727) 741-7442 or schedule your free estimate online today!

If you have ever considered installing solar panels on your roof, you might be wary of doing so because of the upfront costs involved with the installation of a solar panel system. Don’t worry! The upfront costs will soon be covered because of the money that you will save on your utility bills by switching to solar.

How? Our Solar Bear Orlando team explains four reasons why switching to solar can help lower your utility bills in Orlando.

Lowering Your Electric Bill with Solar

Using solar power in our homes allows us to reduce our carbon footprint while also lowering our electric bills.

Using solar panels instead of relying on the grid or your utility company for electricity can help you cut your electric bill by up to 50% a month.

Using power from the sun is free, but it is important to note that at night or during inclement weather when the sun isn’t out, you will have to rely on the electricity that is provided through your local utility company.

Electric Rates Are on the Rise

Not only are electric rates high right now, but they continue to increase each year. Increases in eclectic rates outpace inflation and wage growth, meaning that everyday Americans are spending an increasing amount of their income on their utility bills.

Since the United States was one of the first countries to build an electric grid, it also means that it needs a lot of upgrading as the years go by. Utility companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year to upgrade their towers, lines, substations, and transformers. 

These costs continue to drive up the cost of electricity, making solar power more enticing than ever. With a solar power system, you can lower your electric bills, plus, solar produces power right where it’s needed, in your home, which can help you avoid costly transmission infrastructure. As grid maintenance costs continue to rise, solar power will provide increasingly attractive returns.

Electric Bills Are Unpredictable

One of the biggest frustrations of being a homeowner in Orlando is the unpredictability of electric bills. Often, increased electricity usage throughout the month goes unnoticed until the bill arrives in the mail, forcing homeowners to make tough budgeting decisions to pay their bills.

With solar power, energy costs are extremely predictable. Many homeowners cover 100% of their energy needs with a solar system, and they will only have to pay a $10-20 service fee for grid maintenance, net metering, and other associated utility costs.

A Smart Way to Cut Costs

Installing smart home systems can also help cut your electric bill by helping you to manage your electricity usage, which is beneficial when you are using solar power.

A smart thermostat, HVAC system, or even LED lighting can help you use as little energy as possible during energy usage times. They can also help you use less power overall.

Just like you might be eligible for solar tax rebates, many states offer rebates and other incentives for buying energy-efficient smart appliances so you can save even more money when you switch to smart technology and solar.

Choose Solar with Solar Bear

If you are ready to harness the power of the sun and take control of fluctuating electrical costs, it’s time to go solar with Solar Bear Orlando! Just think, instead of sending your hard-earned money to the utility company each month, you could install a solar system and keep most of that money in the bank!

What are you waiting for? Schedule a solar consultation with our team at Solar Bear Orlando today; (727) 471-7442!

The world is changing fast. According to a Solar Futures Study that was published by the U.S Department of Energy, we can expect to see rapid changes throughout the energy sector, new commitments to a more sustainable economy, and increased electrification of buildings and vehicles. As exciting as it may seem, what does this all mean for future generations? Solar Bear Tampa takes a look at the impact of solar energy for years to come.

Expect to see positive impacts on the environment and climate change in the near future. Technology improvements like higher efficiency modules will ensure that solar energy continues to be more affordable. These updated systems can generate 1.5 times more power than their predecessors using a technology called tandem silicon cells. This high-performing solar cell is engineered for stability. Other production innovations to look forward to include reduced pricing of silver and silicon, and bifacial modules that allow panels to capture solar energy from both sides.

Some predict that by 2030, solar will become the most valuable energy source for electricity production in large parts of the world. Given that solar energy is incredibly easy to install, flexible to set up, and perhaps above all, cost-efficient, it no doubt will make it unbeatable compared to fossil fuels. Integrating solar into homes, businesses, and power systems will mean an increase in low-cost digital technologies and powered electronics.

If you want to be fashion-forward, now is the time to schedule a solar estimate! The Solar Bear Tampa team can help you lock in net metering benefits, recommend energy-saving solutions, and assist with financing so you are ready for whatever the future brings. Get your free estimate here or give us a call at (727) 471-7442 for more information.

Here in Orlando, we often get questions about whether solar panels can power an air conditioning system. The answer? Yes! Depending on the size of your solar system and the requirements of your AC system, solar panels can power your AC.

Now that summer is on its way, learn how your solar system can power up your air conditioning system and save you money on energy costs!

What to Know About Powering Air Conditioners with Solar Power

It’s a fact that air conditioners use A LOT of electricity. Your solar panel system will need to generate a lot of energy to keep your air conditioning system running through our Orlando summers.

Consider these factors to determine how many solar panels you will need:

• Sunlight
• Weather conditions
• Type of solar panels
• Energy efficiency ratio
• Energy storage capacity
• Performance
• Geographical location
• Grid-tied vs off-grid systems

How Many Solar Panels are Needed to Run an AC?

Your air conditioner is a big draw on your home’s electricity. If you notice that your electricity bills climb in the summer, it might be time to consider solar energy options.

To figure out how many solar panels you need to power your AC, you need to first determine how many watts of electricity your air conditioner requires. Keep in mind, that you will need an average of 1-5 panels for 100 watts.

This may seem like a large range, so you must consider how many watts your solar panels can generate. For example, if you choose a solar panel with 250-400 watts, one panel will be enough to run 100 watts in your home.

Determine How Many Watts Your AC Uses

Watts is the rate of power that your air conditioner uses per hour. Once you determine the wattage of your AC, you can figure out how many solar panels you will need to run it.

Approximate wattage of different sizes of air conditioners are:

• Small window AC units: 500 watts
• Medium window AC units: 900 watts
• Large window AC units: 1440
• Central AC: 3500 watts
• Central AC fan: 750 watts

Remember, these are just estimates, so you will need to calculate your specific air conditioner’s wattage.

To do this, determine how many watts your AC uses and how many hours it runs per day. Also, make sure you have your energy bill handy.

For example:

Say your AC unit uses 500 watts an hour. You run it all day, so you will use 12 kWh or 360 kWh a month. If your electric company charges $0.13 kWh for net metering, you will be charged $43.20 to run your AC with solar panels.

How Many Solar Panels Are Needed for Central AC?

The average central air conditioning unit is around 3500 watts. We recommend installing a solar panel system using solar panels that are 250 or 300 watts.

If you want to generate enough solar power to operate your central AC for around 5-6 hours a day, you will need a 15-panel system. Keep in mind if you want to run the AC for a longer period you will have to account for this energy usage.

Also, you will need to include three solar panels to compensate for the central air conditioner fan’s energy consumption. This puts the total up to around 18 panels.

How Many Solar Panels Are Needed for Window AC Units?

To determine how many solar panels are needed for a window air conditioner, check to see how many watts they require.

Typically, a 500-watt small window air conditioner might only need one to two solar panels to run. Four panels may be sufficient for a medium 900-watt air conditioner, while six panels will likely be able to power a 1440-watt large window unit.

Related Reading> How Long Does it Take for Solar Panels to Pay for Themselves?

Stay Cool This Summer with Solar Bear

If you want to power your air conditioning with solar panels and save on energy costs this summer at your Orlando, Florida home, call on Solar Bear Orlando! We can help you determine how many solar panels you need and get you set up with net metering so you can start reaping the benefits of Florida’s ample sunshine!

Stay cool and save money by going solar this summer! Call Solar Bear Orlando for a quote today; (727) 471-7442!