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If you love the tiny house lifestyle, solar panels may be a perfect fit. Of course, with any home investment you make, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. The team at Solar Bear can help you decide if solar panels are the right decision for your tiny house with this comprehensive list.

In most cases, the environmental values of tiny house living and solar panel systems align wonderfully. The most important pro is probably the solar panel’s ability to dramatically reduce electric bills. A small system between 1 and 3 kilowatts can power a tiny house easily. When you pair the small square footage with a Solar Bear solar panel system, homeowners can expect to lower or possibly eliminate much of their electric costs. Also, keep in mind some of these factors that will increase solar savings: a prominent amount of sunlight, net metering programs, high electricity rates, and usage. A terrific return on investment is also on top of the pro list. Most homeowners experience a short payback period, usually 4-9 years in most states after their initial investment. Currently, a 26% federal solar tax credit is available, if installed before the end of 2022. Other pros worth mentioning include smaller carbon footprints from this renewable energy, system personalization tailored to your needs, and of course, energy independence for decreased power interruption.

Let’s flip the coin and talk about the cons of adding solar to your tiny house. Cost is always top of mind when it comes to home improvements. Most homeowners plan to buy their solar panel system outright but Solar Bear also offers financing and incentives resources. Along with Florida’s net metering programs and statewide incentives, this could offset much of the upfront cost. In order to truly take advantage of your energy independence, a solar battery is needed. Newer lithium batteries are powerful and efficient but will add to the cost of your system if you choose to store access energy. We know that space is at a premium in tiny houses. Some homeowners choose panel ground installations but those can be difficult to move, should you want to take your show on the road. Talking with our team is the best way to calculate how many panels are needed for your system. We can create a customized plan that works for your home.

Ready to learn more? Solar Bear is on a mission to create a stronger, more sustainable future with energy-saving solutions for Florida houses, big and small. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 to schedule your free estimate.

Florida’s ample sunshine makes it the perfect place to go solar and take part in net metering with Florida utility companies. Unfortunately, the battle against net metering law changes in Florida is not looking good.

While we aren’t giving up, now is the time to consider how you can protect yourself from these potential net metering law changes. Spoiler: You must sign up for net metering before July 2022 to qualify for the existing Florida net metering laws.

Our Solar Bear Orlando team discusses what is happening with net metering laws in Florida and what you should do if you have a solar system.

February 2022 Florida Solar Rally & Committee Meeting

On Tuesday, February 8th, 2022, the net metering bill was being discussed in the Senate Committee on Rules while the Save our Solar Rally was taking place right outside Florida’s Capitol in Tallahassee.

Unfortunately, the new net metering bill, that allows power companies to pay significantly lower rates to solar customers for their excess solar electricity sent to the grid, passed 13-3.

House Bill 741 and Senate Bill 1024 are being described as a “redesign” of Florida’s net metering program. But Florida net metering helps solar customers reduce their costs and improve their return on investments. Without it, the solar industry is set to take a huge hit. Installers, employers, customers, and the overall fight for our climate will all suffer.

What is Net Metering?

If you are new to solar, here’s a quick overview of what net metering is:

Essentially, net metering allows solar customers to send excess energy that has been generated by their solar system back to the electrical grid in exchange for payment or credits from their local energy provider.

For example, say you install $20,000 worth of solar panels on your rooftop here in Orlando. Now you can generate power and make money from the Florida sunshine every day. The local energy company will give you retail rate credits for the power that you share with the grid.

But with the HB741/SB1024 bill that just passed, you will be getting paid far less for the energy that you share. Your utility company will take your energy and sell it to other customers, but they will be the ones profiting, not you.

How to Get Grandfathered into Florida Net Metering

If you want to get grandfathered into the current Florida net metering agreement, you must sign up before July 2022.

Doing so will allow you to sell your solar energy back to the grid at the existing rate. If you aren’t grandfathered in, you will face the new net metering laws that could have a huge impact on your finances.

Our team at Solar Bear Orlando is happy to help! If you have questions about the forthcoming net metering law changes or want to install solar before July 2022, give us a call today!

Why You Must Act Fast

As we mentioned, you must sign up before July 2022 to get grandfathered into the existing Florida net metering agreement.

If you are looking to invest in solar before then, there are other reasons not to delay including:

• Equipment delays: There are current equipment shortages that have yet to abate since the beginning of the pandemic.
• Rising equipment prices: Due to inflation, solar equipment prices are on the rise. Act fast to take advantage of current prices before they rise even more.
• 2022 Federal Solar Tax Credits: Enjoy 22% savings through the Federal Tax Credit in 2022 and 2023. After 2023 it will drop to 0%!

Can We Fight the Net Metering Bill?

Although the bill has passed, you can still join 93% of Floridians who support solar net metering by emailing Florida legislators urging them to oppose SB 1024 and HB741 and mention your concerns about the climate crisis and the future of solar.

Start Your Orlando Solar Project Today

If you want to take part in the existing Florida net metering agreement, the time to go solar is now! Our team at Solar Bear Orlando will help you through the process and ensure that your project starts in time to get grandfathered into the current net metering agreement.

WE would love to help you save thousands in 2022! Call us today to get started; (727) 471-7442!

Does your family have a safety plan in the event of a house fire? If your home has rooftop solar panels, it may be important to add solar rapid shutdown instructions to that plan. This critical regulation provides a way for firefighters to shut down the main power source during an emergency. Read on to see why the Solar Bear team recommends solar rapid shutdowns for homeowners.

Solar rapid shutdown is the ability to easily shut down a solar panel system in case of an emergency. This action was first mandated by regulations in 2014 by the National Electrical Code (NEC) as a quick and effective way to cut off electricity running through a solar panel system. Without rapid shutdown devices in place, there is no safe way to shut down the current running through the panel conductors. Because solar panels store power, there is still a risk of electrocution with the live current in the electrical cables in your solar panels. Firefighters and first responders would be at a higher risk because of rescue efforts that could bring them into direct contact with the solar system’s conductors or wires. However, with a solar rapid shutdown device, the solar system could be de-energized in under a minute and remove the risk of electrocution for anyone going on the roof.

If you purchase a solar panel system in 2022, rapid shutdown functionality is most likely included in your equipment. Most residential systems are installed with microinverters and power optimizers that operate with a built-in rapid shutdown capability. If you choose to buy a solar panel system that uses a string inverter, you will need to install module-level power electronics (MLPE) to comply with NEC regulations. By connecting your string inverter to a power optimizer or an MLPE rapid shutdown product, you can install this functionality quickly. Currently, if you have an older system, there is no requirement to retrofit but should you plan to upgrade or expand, you will need to bring the system up to NEC code.

Solar Bear wants to make going solar an easy and seamless experience for you! With our extensive solar knowledge, we can help you design the best system for your home. Get started with your free estimate today!

White sandy beaches, palm trees, great weather. We love our state! It’s known as the Sunshine State after all! But with all this natural beauty comes higher energy costs, and Florida residents are tired of paying for it.

You may be wondering if solar panels are worth the investment, and while we just want to say a resounding, YES, here are our top six reasons why Florida is the perfect place to go solar. Trust us, they’re worth it!

Why Solar Panels Are Worth It in Florida

Residential solar panel installations in Florida have never been more affordable thanks to the federal tax credit, energy cost savings, and advances in solar technology. Here are a few of the great reasons why Florida is the perfect place to switch to solar energy!

#1. Abundance of Sun

Depending on what side of Florida’s coast you are on, the state of Florida gets between 220-266 days of great weather and sunlight. Plus, our warmer winters are the perfect conditions for harnessing the power of the sun for home energy use year-round across the state.

The best part? If your home’s roof faces south or west and gets a lot of sunlight exposure, you can rest assured that your solar system will run efficiently and effectively.

But don’t worry if your home faces another direction, our solar pros at Solar Bear Orlando can evaluate your roof and energy needs to ensure your solar system will provide enough energy for you.

#2. Zero Sales Tax

If you didn’t already know, we’re happy to let you in on a secret! The purchase of your solar panel system or solar battery backup, as well as their installation, are all exempt from sales tax in Florida. Yes, you read that right!

Think about it. If you purchased a solar panel system for $10,000, the normal sales tax in Florida would be $600. But since you’ll be tax-exempt, you can keep that $600 in the bank!

#3. Net Metering

A great way to get even more savings on your solar panel purchase in Florida is to take advantage of net metering. What does this mean? Well, it’s just a way to say that you can sell the energy that your solar panels produce to your energy company in the form of a credit on your monthly bill. Score!

When you use net metering, your solar panels are connected to the utility grid, and when your system produces excess energy, it is sent to the grid. Your account then gets credits per kWh that your panels produce. Hello, energy independence!

Keep Reading> Everything You Need to Know About Net Metering

#4. Tax Incentives

If you are concerned about the costs of switching to solar in Florida, we have some great news for you! The federal government offers huge tax incentives to homeowners that are choosing to go solar.

With the Federal Tax Credit, you can get 26% of the total cost of your system back in tax credits when you file your taxes. If you don’t use the entire amount, it will roll over to the next year.

One thing to keep in mind is that the tax credit is set to reduce to 22% in 2023, and by 2024 it will be gone completely. There’s no better time than the present to install solar!

Learn More> A Guide to the Federal Solar Tax

#5. Energy Independence

Speaking of energy independence, if you install a solar battery storage system, you can store your excess solar energy to use in case of a power outage.

So not only does a solar system protect you from the rising cost of energy, but it can give you complete independence to control your home’s power.

#6. Keeping Florida Beautiful

Florida imports billions of dollars of coal per year to power our homes and businesses. Because of this, energy costs are driven up and residents pay the price. Further, the use of coal causes a lot of pollution as well.

Some cities in Florida are adopting their own progressive renewable energy policies to keep Florida, and our Earth beautiful. Let’s work together to create a future where 100% of our energy comes from renewable energy sources!

Choose Florida Solar

Now is a great time to go solar in Orlando and the surrounding areas. Say goodbye to rising energy costs and take control of your home’s energy today! Plus, you can take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit and feel better knowing that you are doing your part to keep our state beautiful.

Ready for a solar quote? Call our solar pros at Solar Bear Orlando today; 407-904-7585!