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Net metering is one of the tremendous financial perks going solar offers. Depending on your solar system and any incentives you opted into, a meter was likely installed with your system. If your rooftop solar panels produce more electricity than needed, any excess is sent through that meter and into the utility electrical 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; however, that could change soon.

Recently, an anti-rooftop solar bill, Senate Bill 1024 and House Bill 741 respectively, was introduced in the Florida legislature. This bill is aimed at gutting the state’s net metering policy by stripping net metering from homes and businesses that go solar in 2024 and beyond. If passed, this would also permit punitive fees on solar customers. A major utility company argues that this arrangement is fairer for non-solar customers who allegedly subsidize solar customers. This stance could decimate solar choice for customers, jobs, and economic development in Florida.

At the time of this article, Senate Bill 1024 has passed the legislature and is awaiting Governor DeSantis’s signature or veto. By signing this bill, solar financial benefits for Floridians would effectively be eliminated and allow utilities to impose new fees on solar owners. To ensure that your home can keep net metering for the next 20 years, all solar panel installations must be completed by the end of 2023. In addition to the lost compensation for excess energy, rate schedules could be considered that include increased “base facilities charge, electric grid access fees or monthly minimum bills” to guarantee that solar owners pay more than non-solar owners.

If you are on the fence about going solar, now is the time to schedule an estimate! The Solar Bear team can help you lock in net metering benefits, recommend energy-saving solutions and assist with financing. Get your free estimate here or give us a call at (813) 922-3735 for more information.

When deciding to install solar panels in Orlando Florida, one of the first questions you may ask yourself is, should I re-roof my home? And your next question might be will any of the solar tax credits apply if I do?

Our team here at Solar Bear Orlando is here to help you get the facts straight about solar tax credits so you can make the best decision for you. Keep reading to learn more!

What are Solar Tax Credits?

The Federal Investment Tax Credit, also known as a Solar Tax Credit, allows you to deduct a percentage of the cost of your solar installation from your annual federal taxes. The structure follows this pattern:

• In 2022 the savings are 26%
• By 2023 they will drop to 22%
• In 2024, it will be 0%

The Solar Tax Credit will cover all labor, equipment, and installation costs for your solar system, and can also be carried into the next year if you can’t take the full credit in the year that your solar system was installed.

Disclaimer:

Though we are knowledgeable about solar tax credits, we are not tax professionals, and all the information in this blog does not and should not constitute professional tax advice. You should always consider advice from a professional when making important tax decisions.

How Much Can You Save with the Solar Tax Credits?

Let’s create an example: If your solar installation costs $10,000, you could be eligible for a tax credit of $2,600, thus reducing your costs significantly.

Is a New Roof Eligible for Solar Tax Credits?

So, what if you plan to re-roof your home in conjunction with installing solar panels. Does the Solar Tax Credit apply? The short answer? No.

Many solar installers in Florida might tell you otherwise, but don’t listen to them. The last thing you want to do is end up in trouble with the IRS.

Here is what the IRS says:

Tax reductions only apply to qualified solar electric property costs. Here are some guidelines:

• The solar energy that generates electricity for use in a home located in the United States
• Costs cannot relate to a solar panel or other property installed as a roof
• Cannot be a structural component of the structure on which they are installed
• Some solar roofing tiles or shingles can qualify for the solar credit
• The home doesn’t have to be your primary residence to qualify

Do I Need a New Roof?

Before installing solar panels, it is important to consider the age of your roof. Our best advice: don’t install solar panels on an old roof. You won’t want to pay a contractor to remove the solar panels and have to put them back up after you replace your roof.

Yes, it is a bummer that the Solar Tax Credit does not apply to a new roof, but it is better to do the job right the first time!

Before installing solar panels, consider:

• HOA regulations
• Your roof’s warranty
• Does your roof get enough sunlight? Is it shaded by trees most of the day?
• Hiring a company like Solar Bear that does roofing and solar panel installations
• Installing solar panels on the ground or a shed or outbuilding can be a great option if you have a new roof already
• Having your roof inspected before installing solar to ensure it is in great condition

Trust the Experts

If a solar company is offering you a new roof with the promise of solar tax credit reductions, consider their intentions.

Here at Solar Bear Orlando, we’ll never steer you wrong, and can help you decide what is best for your home if you do decide to install solar. Ultimately, before making any decisions, you should talk to your tax professional to ensure that what you are planning to do falls under the Solar Tax Credit guidelines.

Go Solar in Orlando

If you are interested in installing solar panels in Orlando, Florida, or the surrounding Central Florida area, contact Solar Bear! We are one of the Sunshine State’s leading solar installation companies and would love to help you save big on your solar installation with the Solar Tax Credit in 2022.

Don’t wait. Take advantage of these tax credits before they’re gone! Call Solar Bear Orlando to get started today; 407-904-7585!

Pump up the jams, not the gas! If high gas prices have you double-taking at the pump, it might be time to purchase an electric vehicle. In order to keep it running efficiently, you will need an electric vehicle (EV) charger installed at your home. The Solar Bear team can introduce you to the idea of installing a solar-powered charging station and how it can benefit your family.

An EV charger is a must-have home accessory for electric vehicle owners. Most chargers receive electricity from a power grid but there is an option to add a fully solar-powered charger. This device uses solar energy produced from your solar system along with some additional equipment. Once sunlight is absorbed into your solar panels, it is converted into DC electricity. But in order to power your electric vehicle, it needs to be converted from DC to AC power through an inverter. In dedicated solar chargers, the inverter is integrated into the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). An EVSE consists of an interface, software, electrical conductors and protocols that allow for safe delivery of electricity to the vehicle’s battery. There are 3 types of EVSE – Levels 1 and 2 provide 120 and 240 volts of AC power and Level 3 provides fast charging at 480 volts or more. The Solar Bear team can assist with the best options for your installation – including whether to implement a separate or integrated installation.

Adding a battery storage system can ensure that any solar energy produced doesn’t go to waste. When your vehicle is not connected, the system will continue to store energy that the solar panels are producing. When reconnected, the vehicle can charge off the power that was produced throughout the day.

No longer feeling the gasoline squeeze leaves room for the amazing financial incentives you will receive from your solar system installation. With the combination of solar energy and battery storage, you also experience the EV reliability of fueling during power outages or low sunlight while reducing your carbon footprint.

It’s EZ to go EV with Solar Bear! Schedule your free home estimate or give us a call at (813) 993-4252 to learn more about our installation process.

We occasionally get questions from our solar customers about the potential of their rooftop solar installations to cause a fire. While earlier solar systems did come with higher risks, a properly engineered and installed modern rooftop solar system poses very little risk of causing a fire.

Our team at Solar Bear Orlando discusses why the risk of fire has lessened so drastically over the years, and what we do to protect your home from the threat of fires.

Can the Solar Panel’s Electrical System Malfunction?

Every electrical device has some level of fire risk, but with the design of modern inverters, there are many levels of protection in place that minimize these risks.

These protections include ground fault, over-temperature, overload, and arc fault protection. Believe it or not, these protective elements on your solar system make them safer than other electrical equipment in your home such as your HVAC.

Further, when we install your solar array, our team at Solar Bear Orlando tests each part of the system its components to check for poor connections, damaged wires, or other issues.

Common causes of solar panel fires include:

• Poorly installed panels
• Defective connections
• Faulty products
• Over-voltage
• Power surges
• Lightning

Any of the above could lead to hot spots within your solar system, which can in turn cause a fire. They can also cause arcs between the ground and the conductor, which is a fire hazard as well. But as stated above, modern high-quality solar panels include protections that make them safer and prevent fires from occurring.

Does the Gap Between the Solar Module and the Roof Increase the Risk of Fire?

While this might seem possible, the risk of heat transfer from the solar module and your roof is quite low. Solar panels absorb energy from the sun that would otherwise be directed to your roof. Our systems are designed to allow for easy airflow between the module and the roof to help keep the space cool.

How to Prevent Solar Panel Fire Risks

Some precautions that you can take when getting your solar system installed are:

Choose Quality Solar Panels and Parts

Yes, you can get low-cost solar panels, but why put your home and family at risk? Low-cost solar panels can malfunction, cause a fire, and lead to higher costs for home repairs in the long run.

Purchase high-quality solar panels that offer long-term warranties in case of a malfunction or issue.

Maintain Your System

All electrical systems need regular maintenance. Check your panels regularly for damage from pests and clear them of any debris such as sticks or leaves. Look out for any holes in their cables that could pose a future electrical hazard.

Avoid DIY Solar

If you want to ensure that your solar array works properly and won’t malfunction, you should avoid DIY solar installation. Solar systems are complex and should only be installed by a trained solar installation expert like our team at Solar Bear Orlando.

Learn More> Why to Avoid DIY Solar Installation

Solar Panels and Firefighters

Though extremely rare, if a solar panel fire were to occur on your property, it is important to alert the responding firefighters that you have live solar panels on your home.

One of the main things that they will do when they arrive is switch off the system and later determine if it was the cause of the fire.

Key Takeaways:

• Solar systems are safe and rarely cause fires.
• Selecting a reputable and experienced solar installation company can ensure that the system is installed correctly and can mitigate the risk of fires.
• System maintenance should be done periodically.
• Don’t try to DIY your installation, you may regret it later.
• If you have a fire, alert the firefighters that you have active solar panels installed.

Install Solar

Installing solar is a safe and reliable way to reduce your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint. However, just like with any electrical system, you must follow the precautions listed above to prevent solar panel fires.

Stay safe. Call our experienced solar technicians at Solar Bear Orlando for all your solar panel needs today; 407-904-7585!