Is a home solar power system right for you?

No doubt about it - the cost of energy is rising (as you can see from your electric bill), and many of us are looking for ways to reduce energy costs. If you find yourself turning off lights, fiddling with thermostats and considering installing more energy-efficient appliances to conserve power, you're not alone.

The good news is that today's technology makes solar panel installations a cost-effective choice for homeowners who want to reduce their monthly utility bills and protect the environment.

Even if your home is already powered by grid-supplied electricity, installing residential solar panels adds immediate value to your home by reducing your energy usage and electricity costs.

Eclipse Solar, Delaware's leading residential solar power installer, makes saving energy affordable, cost-effective and easy.

How can your home benefit from solar power?

Skyrocketing energy costs have homeowners scrambling to lower expenses, but today's tax incentives and grant initiatives for solar energy make it much easier for you to "go green."

Photovoltaic (PV) systems have become much more affordable, allowing homeowners to reduce and perhaps even eliminate their energy costs, whether or not you currently depend on grid-supplied electricity. Here are a few of the benefits you can enjoy from installing a solar system:

Hedge against rising utility costs and avoid being affected by price increases from power companies
Obtain tax credits and rebates: State and Federal incentives cover a large percentage of the cost of a residential solar electric system
Benefit from net-metering laws that allow you to be credited for power you return to the grid
Generate clean power that produces no pollution or emissions
Gain power independence: Rely completely on your own generating capacity, and not on a utility company
Enjoy the benefits of Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) income
Enjoy improved resale value of your home
Help reduce our country's dependency on foreign oil

Eclipse Solar, South Jersey's leading solar power contractor, can help you take advantage of these solar power benefits.

Help protect the environment

The environmental benefits of solar power are indisputable. Electricity generated from the sun produces no harmful emissions or pollutants. By installing a solar panel system for your home, you can directly contribute to the repair and preservation of the environment by producing your own clean power.

Easy to install

Because our residential solar power systems are self-contained and modular, they are easy to install and service. Eclipse Solar can design a system to offset some or all of your energy costs, and solar panels can be placed beside your home (using a ground mount) or mounted on the roof for horizontal or angled use.

System design options

All solar power systems require solar panels, a power inverter, proper wiring and mounting structures, switches and fuses for safety, and grounding systems to protect against power surges from lightning strikes.

Two kinds of systems are available for residential use: Grid-Tie and Off-Grid.

Grid-Tie Systems: As the name implies, these systems use a combination of solar power and electricity supplied by the grid through your power company. In such systems, your solar panels and grid power work together to decrease your energy costs much like electric and gasoline engines do in a hybrid automobile. Power from the grid and power from your residential solar system carry your electrical load seamlessly with grid power taking over as needed.
Off-Grid Systems: For those homes that are not easily supplied by an electric grid due to location, or for those who want to be completely independent of the grid, an off-grid system can be used. In this type of system (if there is sufficient space and sun exposure), solar power generated from the panels is stored in a large battery which provides power to your home's electrical system around the clock. This system is generally more expensive, and requires changes in major appliance usage (switching from an electric to a gas stove, for instance) as well as structural considerations.

Eclipse Solar is Delaware's leading solar panel installer and Maryland's leading solar panel installer.

Aesthetics

Solar collectors come in a variety of sizes and forms with differences in appearance. Product categories include solar panels, integrated roof panels, and solar shingles.

How much will a residential solar system cost?

There are many variables that go into figuring the cost of a solar system, but $5 to $7 per watt is a rough estimate range. Some of the variables to consider when figuring cost are:

Size of unit(s), geographic location and orientation
Type of mount (ground or rooftop-stationary or tracking)
Use of battery backup system
Condition of existing structures

These are just a few of the variables, and every residence is different. Eclipse Solar can evaluate your site and give you an in-depth cost analysis to see if solar is a good fit for your home. Get started today with our online information request.

Eclipse Solar is a leading Maryland solar power contractor.

When can we expect to recoup our investment?

Depending on physical conditions, utility prices, rebates and incentives at your location, you could fully recoup the cost of your solar system in as little as four years. See our Payback Examples page for examples of how soon you can expect to see a return on your solar system investment.

What size system will we need?

There are many things about your home that need to be considered to determine the size unit that best fits your needs, and these can vary from state to state. Our professionals will do a complete evaluation of your site to determine the optimum size for your power needs and energy goals.

However, you can use the National Renewable Energy Laboratory solar power calculator to get a rough estimate of the amount of power needed based on an average of your current power usage.

Answers to more questions can be found on our Residential Solar FAQ page.

For more information on the advantages of partnering with Eclipse Solar, Delaware's leading home solar power installer, just contact us - we will be happy to meet with you to discuss your needs.