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Work smarter, not harder. The age-old saying applies to a lot of things especially when it comes to installing solar power for your business. Solar Bear Tampa has the top four reasons why adding a solar energy system is just good business cents…er, sense.

1. Tax incentives

There are a number of local and federal tax incentives that may reduce or eliminate your business’s monthly utility bill. Currently, the Federal Solar Tax Investment Credit offers a solar tax credit of 26% as an incentive for businesses to use alternative energy. The Solar Bear Tampa team can recommend all applicable options that may include net metering, Florida’s Solar and CHP sales tax exemption and more.

2. Increased property value

The real estate game is on fire these days. As a growing or expanding company, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the market. By installing solar panels, you will instantly see an increase in property value followed by a decrease in utilities costs. These small changes can lead to big results for buyers and sellers.

3. Attracting customers

Installing a solar system can lead to a whole new customer audience! Growing climate concerns and constant discussions on renewable energy initiatives have consumers paying more attention to where their dollars are spent. By installing solar for your business, you are exemplifying a progressive strategy that is committed to sustainable values.

4. ROI

Making sound investments is part of the business world but with solar, it’s never been easier to see your return on investment. By installing solar and owning a system outright, payments will be significantly less than they would be for a traditional electric system. Solar Bear Tampa can determine the best financing options for your business to ensure that your ROI keeps growing. 

Solar Bear Tampa wants to make going solar an easy and seamless experience for your business! With our extensive experience and a plethora of fantastic benefits, going solar has never been easier. Get started with your free estimate today!

If you are interested in installing a solar panel system, there are many things to consider including the size of the system, your energy needs, and ultimately, the price. But what factors into the cost of a new solar system?

We’re glad you asked! Learn how the cost of your solar system is calculated from our team at Solar Bear Orlando!

System Size

The most important metric to pay attention to when installing a solar system is the cost per kilowatt of DC capacity (kWdc). Typically, solar panel systems are sized accordingly to their “DC capacity,” which is the amount of electricity the system is forecasted to produce.

When discussing cost, a common metric used in the solar industry is $/kWdc, which is the ratio of capital invested in the system relative to the capacity installed. This is like what architects and contractors use to determine the price per square foot ($/sq.ft.).

One of the best aspects of installing solar is that it is easily scalable. Systems are cost-effective at any size, and the price of installation can be scaled to fit any budget, large or small.

The cost of solar regarding $/kWdc will go down as the system gets larger and will produce electricity at a lower overall cost the larger it is. It is important to remember not to install an oversized system, as too much power can lead to waste and an unproductive return on investment (ROI).

When our team at Solar Bear quotes a new project, one of the first things we look at is the current electrical load, and the area that is available for solar installation. Then we will conduct an energy analysis to ensure that the system we install is the optimal size for your needs.

Mounting Style

The most common ways that solar can be installed are rooftop or ground-mounted. Rooftop systems are mounted to your home’s roof, and ground-mounted systems utilize vacant land.

Ground-mounted solar systems can involve higher project costs due to the equipment and planning involved to build the mounting system. There are more materials involved with these kinds of systems because the mounting system provides the entire foundation for the solar system, whereas rooftop solar systems rely on the roof for their foundation.

If a large system is desired, ground-mounted systems have the potential to be more cost-effective than rooftop solar systems as they can often be built bigger.

The third type of solar installation, like a ground mount, is solar carports. These can be expensive to install, as they require extensive structural foundations to be strong enough to mount solar panels. If you already have a carport at your home, it might be able to be retrofitted for solar installation.

Learn More> Ground Mounts Vs. Roof Mounts- What to Know

Age of Your Roof

If you are installing solar panels on your roof, and it needs to be replaced, it makes sense to replace your roof before installing solar panels. This is because if you don’t, you will later have to have your solar panels removed so that the roof can be replaced. Rather than incur these added costs, consider replacing your roof when the panels are being installed.

At Solar Bear Orlando, we can do both! We offer expert solar panel installations as well as solar power! 

Tax Incentives

Many cities and governments offer incentives for solar energy installations. In most cases, these will help to reduce the total cost of the installation. These incentives don’t apply in certain scenarios, so it is important to understand what is covered and what isn’t.

Keep Reading> How to Calculate the Solar Payback Period

Go Solar

If you are considering installing solar panels in Orlando, Florida, our team at Solar Bear is here to help! We have extensive experience installing solar systems in Orlando and the surrounding areas and will help you secure financing and tax incentives, so your solar installation is cost-effective.

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

Let’s talk AC and DC – no, not the band. It’s true that the solar energy sector is rockin’ in Florida but the team at Solar Bear wants to make sure that homeowners have all the information on these electricity essentials. Read on to see which solar storage option is the best fit for your home.

When you first decide to go solar, it’s important to understand the difference between the two types of electric current, AC and DC, and how their battery storage works. The type of electrical current between a solar panel system and a battery can either be an Alternating Current (AC) or a Direct Current (DC). Most systems produce a Direct Current – so why opt for an AC battery storage at all? Your appliances! Most home appliances like washers, microwaves, and more operate on an AC connection so systems have to convert from DC to AC using an inverter. An AC two-box solution (one for inverter and one for battery storage) is usually more cost-effective and the easiest to install. This is also a great option if you are retrofitting a current system. Oppositely, a DC-connected battery storage system shares one “hybrid” inverter with solar panels. Because it is a less intricate process, it’s best for new solar and storage system installations. 

Adding battery storage may be more expensive on the front end but there are great financing options available for homeowners. Our experts are trained to use every resource possible to get you the best financing available. Local, state, and federal incentives can also offset much of the initial cost of a solar system. Be sure to take advantage of options like net metering, a process that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid, and tax credits like the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit.

Want to learn more about AC and DC? Well, meet us on the Highway to Hell-o Solar. We can help you identify the best solar system design for your home. Schedule your free home estimate or give us a call at (813) 993-4252 today!

Though the sun’s movements might seem straightforward—it rises in the east and sets in the west—the path taken by the sun is a bit more complex than that. Due to the earth’s natural tilt and its elliptical orbit around the sun, the sun moves across the sky differently depending on where you live and the time of year.

Yes, the sun’s changing position can impact your solar power generation, which is why it is important to tilt your solar system at an optimal angle, known as solar panel tilt.

What solar panel tilt is best for your solar system? Keep reading to find out!

What Does Solar Panel Angle Mean?

Solar panel angle is another way to describe the vertical tilt of your solar panel system. This angle can affect the amount of solar power that your system generates and is based on two factors, latitude, and the season.

To maximize your solar power production, you should adjust your solar panel title according to these two factors.

What is the Best Solar Tilt for Your Latitude?

The further your home is from the equator, the higher your solar tilt should be. For example, in states such as Arizona and Hawaii that sit at lower latitudes, the sun is higher in the sky. In these lower latitude states, solar panels require a lower tilt to capture direct sunlight.

For states in higher latitudes like Oregon and Montana, the sun is lower in the sky, so solar panels should be installed at a higher tilt to receive maximum sunlight throughout the day.

There is a simple calculation to calculate the best tilt angle for fixed-mount solar systems: Subtract 15 degrees from your latitude during the summer and add 15 degrees to your latitude during winter. Simple!

These angles will give you the best overall solar output over a year if you have a fixed installation on your roof. Adjusting solar panels based on the season is another option, which we explain next!

What is the Best Solar Tilt Based on Season?

The angle of the sun not only changes due to different latitudes but also along with the changing seasons. The sun is lower during winter and higher in the summer.

This means that if you want to ensure that your solar system is receiving the maximum amount of sunlight, its tilt should be adjusted for each season.

For example, in Orlando, Florida the best solar tilt based on the seasons is as follows:

• Winter: 40°
• Spring/Fall: 64°
• Summer: 88°

Of course, adjusting your solar panels a few times a year is not a straightforward task as most solar panels are mounted to your roof at a fixed angle that cannot be adjusted. The only way to adjust solar panels easily is to install a ground-mount system and axis-tracking solar panels.

While this can increase solar output, it can greatly increase your upfront installation costs.

Keep Reading> Does Cooler Weather Affect My Solar Panel System?

How Does the Angle of a Roof Affect Solar Production?

You might be wondering if the pitch of your roof will impact your solar energy production. The good news is that there is little difference between panels installed on a shallow roof compared to one with a steeper pitch.

While solar panels on a shallow roof might capture more sunlight during the summer, solar panels on a steep roof produce more power in the winter—so generally, it balances out across the seasons.

In solar-friendly states like Florida, most homeowners find that solar systems are worth the investment, at whatever angle they are installed at.

Learn More> Sun Number Meaning: What Is it?

Achieve Optimal Solar Production

Florida is one of the best states for solar installations due to our beautiful weather and ample sunlight. If you are ready to install a solar panel system on your home, our team at Solar Bear Orlando will ensure that your panels are optimally tilted to generate the most power from our bright Florida sun year-round.

Ready to get started? Call Solar Bear Orlando for a quote today; 407-904-7585!