Introduction
Solar energy for home is becoming increasingly popular for households around the country, as well as around the planet. The ever-increasing costs of nonrenewable fossil fuels, such as coal, is putting a strain on the budgets and wallets of consumers. Solar energy seems like a good alternative way of gaining access to electricity at a low cost. After all, the rays from the sun at every spot on the planet is free.
Unfortunately, the average household may face the initial hurdle of financing solar system technology at an economical rate. When people shop for homes the electrical system is already in place. The household is on the power grid. Adding solar . power an already existing electricity infrastructure incurs additional costs above and beyond what many homeowners are paying for in a mortgage, or have paid for by putting forth of cash when they purchased the home. In the end, adding solar energy will more than pay for itself, providing you live in the home for several years, such as over the span of a 10 year or 30 year mortgage. Meanwhile, you can consider at least three avenues for finding the best offers on solar for home.
Step 1
Visit your local household hardware supply store to find the best offers on solar for home. Many Americans around the country have one, but probably at least two of these type stores in the local community, and well within driving distance. Popular names include Home Depot and Lowe's. Also note that these retailers have websites that offer the same products that are available in local stores.
Most likely the best deals on solar for home can be found at these locations, because consumers have come to rely on these types of retailers to find discounts on other household products, including home appliances, tools and other supplies. Also consider that and stores become flooded with solar energy products for the home, that competition between these retailers will continue to drive prices lower and lower.
Step 2
Navigate to comparison shopping websites to find the best offers on solar for home. These site take the hassle out of conducting preliminary research, as you look for the best deals. The prices, are there for you to see online, and those numbers are updated as prices change, or based on other factors.
You should not have to go to a special website to obtain solar energy products, although many exist. Treat solar systems like any other household product, such as trying to find a new HVAC system or swimming pool filtering systemfor your home. The information is there on the best prices on solar for home, providing, you know where to look.
Shopzilla.com and Pricegrabber.com may serve as a great starting point for finding the best deals on solar products.
Step 3
Contact local solar energy experts, asking for a consultation about installing solar for home products. Usually, no matter from where you purchase your solar system, professional installation is recommended, in some cases. It is required. Note that solar panels, usually sit on your rooftop, and to perform any work on this area of your home, you are always advised to use the services of some type of contractor.
When you contact these experts for a consultation, ask do they sell solar systems in one of the prices. Also ask for referrals to local and online solar panel retailers. Businesses, including contractors, tend to have access to better pricing from a wholesale, supply chain perspective. Whether you purchase your solar system from a local solar installers, or use one of their referrals, you are likely to benefit from their business expertise.
Sources and Citations
- Barringer, Felicity. "Residential Solar Systems Increase Sale Prices, Study Finds - NYTimes.com." Energy and Environment - Green Blog - NYTimes.com. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/study-finds-solar-panels-increase-home-values/>..
- "DoCoMo Plans Low-cost Solar Power System for Homes | Reuters." Business &. Financial News, Breaking US &. International News | Reuters.com. 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/26/us-docomo-idUSTRE79P7BX20111026>..
- Doom, Justin. "KB Home Offering Solar as Standard Feature on New Florida Houses - Bloomberg." Bloomberg - Business &. Financial News, Breaking News Headlines. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-23/kb-home-offering-solar-as-standard-feature-on-new-florida-houses.html>..
- Fahey, Jonathan. "Solar Power Is Beginning to Go Mainstream - Yahoo. Finance." Yahoo. Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Solar-power-is-beginning-to-apf-254182986.html>..
- "First Solar Homes Power Electric Car - MarketWatch." MarketWatch - Stock Market Quotes, Business News, Financial News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.marketwatch.com/story/first-solar-homes-power-electric-car-2011-11-17>..
- Gelsi, Steve. "Solar Prices Dip for Commercial. Home Buyers - MarketWatch." MarketWatch - Stock Market Quotes, Business News, Financial News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.marketwatch.com/story/solar-prices-dip-for-commercial-home-buyers-2011-06-16>..
- "Get a Solar System on the Cheap." Kiplinger - Personal Finance, Business, Investing, Retirement, and Financial Advice. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/get-a-solar-system-on-the-cheap.html>..
- Hoak, Amy. "Running Your Home on Sunshine Is Cheaper - Amy Hoak's Home Economics - MarketWatch." MarketWatch - Stock Market Quotes, Business News, Financial News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.marketwatch.com/story/running-your-home-on-sunshine-is-cheaper-2011-08-22>..
- "How Much Do Solar Panels Boost Home Sale Prices? - Forbes." Information for the World's Business Leaders - Forbes.com. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2011/08/01/how-much-do-solar-panels-boost-home-sale-prices/>..
- "Integrated Solar Power Mounting Systems Dramatically Reduce Costs - Yahoo. Finance." Yahoo. Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Integrated-Solar-Power-pz-3840547925.html>..
- News, Pacific Business. "Solar Panel Price Drops Cut Cost of Installing Hawaii PV Systems - Pacific Business News." Business News - The Business Journals. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2012/01/solar-panel-price-drops-cut-cost-of.html>..
- "Price Drop Helps Solar Rooftops - Sacramento Business Journal." Business News - The Business Journals. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/print-edition/2011/11/11/price-drop-helps-solar-rooftops.html?page=all>..
- "Report: Solar Homes Fetch Higher Prices | Reuters." Business &. Financial News, Breaking US &. International News | Reuters.com. 21 Apr. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/21/idUS106082976720110421>..
- "Solar PV Boosts the Sales Price of California Homes | Reuters." Business &. Financial News, Breaking US &. International News | Reuters.com. 25 Apr. 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/25/idUS333442137920110425>..
- SolarThermalWorld.org &ndash. Tue, Press Release:. "Homeowners Use the Sun and Incentives to Save on Winter Heating Costs - Yahoo. Finance." Yahoo. Finance - Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/homeowners-sun-incentives-save-winter-182300657.html>..
- Wingfield, Brian. "GE Sees Solar Cheaper Than Fossil Power in Five Years - Bloomberg." Bloomberg - Business &. Financial News, Breaking News Headlines. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-26/solar-may-be-cheaper-than-fossil-power-in-five-years-ge-says.html>..
- Wotapka, Dawn. "Home Builder Soaks Up Solar, But Will Buyers? - Developments - WSJ." WSJ Blogs - WSJ. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <.http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/11/22/home-builder-soaks-up-solar-but-will-buyers/>..