Why Go Solar in 2020? The Benefits Might Surprise You

The conversation around solar energy in LA County is getting louder, and for good reason. We recently joined community leaders and Environment California to kick off a new report on solar's local impact, and the findings are powerful. It confirms that the reasons to go solar are more compelling than ever. This isn't just about abstract environmental goals; it's about real, tangible benefits for homeowners like you. The report highlights exactly why making the switch is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your home and your future.

What Happened at Our Community Solar Meeting

It was an inspiring event complete with stories told by Angelenos who have solar panels on the roofs of their homes or businesses, a letter-to-the-editor writing workshop, and a compelling speech in support of solar from Senator Kevin De Leon.

A big highlight of the meeting came from some of LA’s tiniest solar advocates. After the first graders from Betty Plasencia Elementary School gave their reasons for liking solar energy, they sang a song titled “Solar Power to the People” eliciting a lot of “awwws” from the audience.

Why Go Solar? The Financial and Practical Benefits

Beyond the feel-good environmental aspect, going solar offers some serious financial and practical perks that can change your daily life. For many California homeowners, the decision comes down to simple math and a desire for more control over their home's power. It’s about making a smart investment that pays you back in multiple ways, from increasing your property value to giving you peace of mind when the grid feels unstable. These are the same reasons we see so many residential customers make the switch—they're looking for a solution that is both economically and environmentally sustainable for their family's future.

The conversation around solar has shifted. It's no longer just about reducing your carbon footprint; it's a powerful financial strategy. With utility costs on the rise and an aging power grid that can be unreliable, taking control of your home's energy production is more practical than ever. Going solar means you're not just a consumer of electricity, but a producer. This simple change in perspective has profound effects on your monthly budget and your home's long-term value. It’s a move toward self-sufficiency that provides a hedge against inflation and market volatility, securing a more predictable financial future for your family while contributing to a cleaner environment for everyone.

Increase Your Home's Value

Think of solar panels as a major home upgrade, much like a kitchen remodel, but with a better return on investment. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes with solar energy systems can sell for a premium and often sell faster than those without. Studies have shown this premium can be around $15,000 for an average-sized system. Unlike other renovations that are subject to taste, energy savings are universally appealing. When a potential buyer sees that your home comes with low or non-existent electricity bills, it becomes a powerful selling point that sets your property apart in a competitive market.

Lower Your Monthly Energy Bills

This is the benefit you'll notice right away. Installing solar panels can dramatically reduce, or in some cases, completely get rid of your monthly electricity costs. Your system generates power during the day, which your home uses first. If you produce more than you need, the excess energy is sent back to the grid, and your utility company credits your account through a program called Net Energy Metering (NEM). This means you’re only paying for the "net" amount of energy you use over a billing period. Over the 25+ year lifespan of your solar panels, those monthly savings add up to a significant amount. You can even use our estimate calculator to get a personalized idea of your potential savings.

Protect Yourself from Rising Utility Rates

Utility rates in California seem to only go one way: up. This unpredictability can make budgeting a real challenge. When you go solar, you effectively lock in your electricity costs for decades. The sun, after all, doesn’t send you a bill with surprise rate hikes. This creates financial stability and protects your household budget from market volatility. For even greater energy independence, especially during power outages, many homeowners are also choosing to add a battery backup system. This allows you to store your excess solar energy and use it whenever you need it, keeping your lights on and your home running smoothly no matter what’s happening with the grid.

Making Solar Affordable: Costs and Incentives

The price tag for a solar system can seem daunting at first, but it's more accessible than most people think. Thanks to a variety of payment options and powerful financial incentives, you don't need to have a pile of cash sitting around to make it happen. The key is understanding the different paths you can take to finance your system and taking full advantage of programs designed to make clean energy affordable. At AMECO, our personalized approach involves walking you through every option to find the one that best fits your financial goals, ensuring you feel confident and clear about your investment.

Think of it less as an upfront cost and more as a long-term investment with guaranteed returns. The money you're currently sending to the utility company each month can be redirected to pay for an asset that improves your home and saves you money for decades. The combination of federal tax credits, state rebates, and flexible financing means the barrier to entry is lower than ever. A reputable solar partner will act as your guide, helping you identify every available incentive to bring the net cost down significantly. This financial engineering is just as important as the physical engineering of the panels on your roof.

How to Pay for Your System

The two most common ways to pay for a solar system are buying it outright with cash or financing it with a solar loan. A cash purchase offers the most straightforward path and typically yields the highest long-term savings since you won't have any interest payments. However, solar loans are an incredibly popular and effective option. Many homeowners find that their monthly loan payment is actually lower than their old average utility bill, meaning they start saving money from day one. Other options like solar leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) exist, but owning your system through a cash purchase or loan is what allows you to claim valuable tax credits and truly maximize your financial return.

Major Financial Incentives for Homeowners

One of the biggest factors making solar so affordable is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, homeowners who install a solar system can receive a tax credit for 30% of the total system cost. This isn't a deduction—it's a dollar-for-dollar credit that reduces your federal income tax liability. For a $25,000 system, that’s a $7,500 credit right back in your pocket. On top of the federal ITC, various state and local incentives may also be available. A knowledgeable solar installer will help you identify and apply for every rebate and credit you’re eligible for, making the process seamless.

Is Your Home a Good Candidate for Solar?

While solar is a great fit for many homes, there are a few factors that determine if your property is a prime candidate for an installation. It mostly comes down to your roof, your property's sun exposure, and any local rules you might need to follow. Before you get too far into the process, it’s helpful to do a quick assessment of your own home to see if it checks the right boxes. Getting a professional evaluation is always the best way to know for sure, but you can get a pretty good idea just by looking at your property with a few key things in mind. You can even get a preliminary look at how panels might appear on your roof with our 3D Home Visualizer.

The good news is that in a sunny state like California, most properties have excellent solar potential. The question isn't usually "if" you can go solar, but "how" to design the most efficient and cost-effective system for your specific home. This involves analyzing your roof's orientation and pitch, identifying any potential shading issues from trees or neighboring structures, and assessing the overall health of your roof. It also means understanding the local permitting process and any community guidelines, like those from an HOA. A thorough evaluation will consider all these variables to create a customized plan that maximizes your energy production and financial savings for years to come.

Evaluating Your Roof and Property

The ideal roof for solar panels is one that is south-facing with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees, as this maximizes sun exposure throughout the day. However, east- and west-facing roofs can also be very effective. You’ll also want to check for shade from trees or nearby buildings that could cover your roof during peak sun hours. Finally, the age and condition of your roof are critical. Since solar panels are warrantied for 25 years, you want to make sure your roof is in good shape to last just as long. As a company with over 50 years of combined expertise in both roofing and solar, we can ensure your foundation is solid before installing your system, handling any necessary repairs or replacements in one seamless project.

Dealing with Homeowners' Associations (HOAs)

If you live in a community with a Homeowners' Association, you might worry that they could prevent you from installing solar panels. The good news is that this is rarely an issue. While you will likely need to submit your plans for approval, California has solar access laws that prevent HOAs from unreasonably restricting or denying a solar installation. They can’t ban solar entirely or make requirements that would significantly increase the cost or decrease the efficiency of your system. In most cases, it's just a matter of following the proper application process. An experienced solar installer can even help you prepare and submit the necessary paperwork to your HOA.

Why Our City Should Go Solar

The community meeting served as a kick-off for Environment California’s latest report, Solar in the Spotlight: Stories of Angelenos Investing in a Clean Energy Future. The intent of the report is two-fold.

First, it’s written to spread awareness of the benefits of solar power to all Angelenos. There are many misconceptions about solar panel installation, one being that many still believe that it’s only for the rich or those with large utility bills.

As you read about the 23 solar success stories highlighted in the report, it’s easy to see how the solar energy clientele has become diversified and is now accessible to people at all income levels. From churches to low-income housing and local business to homeowners, almost everyone mentions how the solar panels are saving them money and how happy they are to be relying on a clean, renewable energy.

Second, the report can be seen as a reminder to Mayor Garcetti about his welcome support for solar energy. While running for mayor, he endorsed the idea that Los Angeles should install 1200 MW of solar power to generate nearly 20 percent of the city’s needs. Now that he’s in office and putting together the plan for his term, Environment California hopes that the report will inspire Garcetti to continue to work on the “20 by 2020 campaign” an official city goal.

Community Solar: An Alternative for Everyone

Even if your home isn't suited for rooftop panels or you're a renter, you can still benefit from solar power through a community solar program. It works like a subscription to a local solar farm; you sign up for a share of the energy it produces and receive credits on your electricity bill. This model makes clean energy accessible to almost everyone, allowing you to lower your carbon footprint and your monthly bills without installing anything on your property. It’s a simple, powerful way to join the renewable energy movement.

Understanding Solar Technology and Installation

Once you decide to go solar, it helps to know a little about the technology and installation. Modern solar panels are more efficient and stylish than ever, but even the best tech needs a flawless installation to perform well. The entire process, from design to permitting and final connection, requires deep expertise. A great solar partner guides you through each step, ensuring your system is tailored to your energy needs. At AMECO, we've refined our approach over decades to make the transition to solar simple and transparent for every homeowner.

Advances in Solar Panel Technology

Today’s solar panels are a far cry from the bulky models of the past. Modern panels are highly efficient, capturing more sunlight to generate more power with a smaller footprint—perfect for homes with limited roof space. Beyond performance, manufacturers have also focused on aesthetics. You can now find sleek, all-black panels that offer a subtle, sophisticated look that blends beautifully with your roof. These advancements ensure that going solar doesn’t require you to compromise on your home’s curb appeal while you reap the financial and environmental benefits of clean energy.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

For homeowners who prioritize aesthetics, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are a game-changer. Instead of mounting panels on top of your roof, BIPV technology incorporates solar cells directly into roofing materials like shingles or tiles. This creates a seamless look that makes the solar components nearly invisible. Because this technology merges roofing and electrical systems, it’s crucial to work with a company that has proven expertise in both. As a licensed roofing and solar contractor, we can help you explore if these innovative solutions are the right fit for your home.

The Importance of a Qualified Professional Installer

A solar energy system is a major home investment, and its long-term performance depends on the quality of the installation. A qualified professional does more than just attach panels; they conduct a site assessment, design an optimized system, handle all permits, and ensure the electrical work is safe and up to code. When vetting installers, look for credentials like certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). With over 50 years of combined solar and roofing experience, our team has the expertise to ensure your system is installed correctly for decades of reliable clean energy.

Adding Battery Storage for Energy Independence

Pairing your solar panels with a home battery is the key to true energy independence. A battery stores the excess energy your panels generate during the day, so you can power your home with clean energy at night or during a power outage. For Californians, where grid instability and blackouts are a real concern, a reliable battery backup provides incredible peace of mind. It allows you to take control of your power, reduce your reliance on the utility company, and keep your family safe and comfortable during grid disruptions.

Ready to Go Solar? Here's How You Can Help

Though Los Angeles has huge potential for solar installation, the city uses solar energy for only 2% of its electrical needs. We have a long way to go to meet the 20% goal.

If you have a couple minutes, please fill out a brief form at Environment California’s website to  sign the petition and help get Garcetti’s attention.

For those who are active on Facebook or Twitter, you can spread the word about solar in LA by posting or tweeting to your friends and followers. Use the @ericgarcetti and @EnvCalifornia handles to make sure that the Mayor doesn’t miss your post.

Frequently Asked Questions

My roof is old. Do I need to replace it before installing solar panels? It's a great question, and the answer is usually yes. Solar panels have a warranty of 25 years or more, so you want your roof to be in good enough shape to last just as long. Installing panels on an old roof can lead to problems down the line, requiring you to remove the entire system just to make repairs. As a company with deep expertise in both roofing and solar, we can assess your roof's condition and handle any necessary replacements as part of a single, streamlined project, ensuring a solid foundation for your solar investment.

What happens if my solar panels produce more energy than my home uses? When your system generates more electricity than you need, the excess power is sent back to the utility grid. Through a program called Net Energy Metering (NEM), your utility company will credit your account for that extra energy. This credit helps offset the cost of any electricity you might pull from the grid at night or on cloudy days. Essentially, the grid acts like a giant battery for you, ensuring none of your solar production goes to waste.

Will solar panels still power my home during a blackout? Standard grid-tied solar systems are designed to shut down automatically during a power outage for safety reasons. However, if you want to keep your lights on when the grid goes down, you can pair your solar panels with a battery backup system. The battery stores your excess solar energy, allowing you to create your own personal power reserve. This gives you true energy independence and peace of mind during blackouts.

I live in a community with an HOA. Can they stop me from going solar? While you'll likely need to get your HOA's approval, California has solar access laws that prevent them from unreasonably denying your request to install panels. They cannot ban solar outright or impose restrictions that would significantly reduce your system's performance or drive up the cost. We have a lot of experience working with HOAs and can help you prepare and submit the necessary paperwork to make the approval process smooth.

Is the 30% federal tax credit a limited-time offer? The 30% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) was updated and extended through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This allows homeowners to receive a credit equal to 30% of the total cost of their solar system, including battery storage. This credit is scheduled to remain at 30% for systems installed through 2032 before it begins to step down, so while it's not ending tomorrow, it's a powerful incentive to take advantage of sooner rather than later.

Key Takeaways

• Solar is a smart financial investment, not just an environmental choice: Going solar can significantly lower or even get rid of your monthly electricity bills, increase your home's resale value, and protect you from unpredictable utility rate hikes, offering a substantial return on investment.
• Going solar is more affordable and accessible than you might think: Thanks to the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit and flexible financing options like solar loans, the initial cost is manageable for many homeowners, often resulting in monthly payments that are lower than their previous utility bills.
• Proper planning and professional installation are crucial for success: The best results come from a well-designed system on a suitable roof, installed by a qualified professional who can handle everything from permits and HOA approvals to ensuring your roof's integrity, which is why partnering with an experienced solar and roofing expert is so important.

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