Benefits of Going Solar in Spring or Summer

With the rising cost of energy, many homeowners are going solar to reduce energy costs. And homeowners are finding that going solar in the spring or summer when the sun is at its strongest in the northern hemisphere, can harness more of the sun’s natural energy when energy usage is at its peak.

The cost of electricity has increased at an average rate of 4% per year, with some areas of the country rising over 40% in the last ten years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Not surprisingly, the number of solar installations has also skyrocketed in recent years as the cost to install solar have dramatically reduced.

While anytime is a great time to take advantage of the sun’s powerful energy, here are three reasons why spring or summer is the best time to go solar.

Stronger UV rays to capture more solar energy

During the spring, the sun’s UV rays become evidently stronger until peaking in the summer. It’s these UV rays that provide the solar energy to power our homes. And the sun just happens to strengthen at a time when energy usage and costs are at its peak. Don’t be fooled by the temperature. Even though temperatures are a bit cooler in the spring, the angle of the sun and the more intense UV rays will allow your solar PV panels to capture much of the sun’s energy to power your home (even on cloudy days).

Enjoy bigger energy savings when you are using more energy

As the weather warms up the air conditioning in the home starts to ramp up too. And while your air conditioning will be working over time to keep your family cool, energy costs are also rising resulting in higher electricity bills. In 2016, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that the average electric bill was $395 per month during the summer months. Once your solar panels are installed, there are no additional operating costs. And with net metering from your local utility any excess energy that you capture can be sold back to the utility.

Get a tax credit for going solar

As a result of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), originally established as the Energy Policy Act of 2005, homeowners can claim a 30% tax credit from their federal income taxes. The credit applies to the total cost of installing solar in your home. The ITC will begin to reduce starting on January 1, 2020 through 2022 until expiring completely on December 31, 2023.

For example, if your new solar PV installation costs $10,000, you will be able to reduce your federal tax liability by $3,000. These tax incentives combined with rebates and utility savings make going solar in the spring or summer very attractive.