Why Go Solar with Vivint

In recent years, solar energy has become more and more popular as an alternative and sustainable source of power. Homeowners all over the country are increasingly turning to solar energy to meet their electricity needs—and not just those living in states that get sunshine year-round. In fact, the number of solar installations in the U.S. rose by 34% from 2020 to 2021.

And there’s still plenty of solar power to go around. The U.S. has enough renewable energy resources to generate 100 times the country’s electricity needs each year. Despite this, just 8% of homes in the country have solar panels installed.

There are plenty of benefits that using solar as an energy source offers, including substantial savings, environmental advantages, a favorable return on investment (ROI), and attractive tax rebates and incentives, to name a few.

If you’re considering solar for your home, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons of solar energy before making the investment. Take a look at some of the top benefits and see why going solar is a smart choice for homeowners.

Advantages of solar energy

1. Savings

One of the biggest benefits of installing solar panels on your home is the potential for substantial savings on your energy bills.

The average household in America spends $122 each month on electricity bills, and this number can vary widely depending on time of year and location. (In California, for example, this number jumps to $210 per month.) Homes that have solar panels, on the other hand, save an average of $1500 per year on their electricity costs.

Solar power allows homeowners to generate their electricity, reducing or even eliminating their reliance on the traditional power grid. By harnessing the abundant energy that comes from the sun, solar panels power your home's appliances and devices, rather than utilizing natural gas or power from the electric company and electricity grid. Through net metering, you can also sell your unused electricity back to the grid, and your utility company will compensate you.

As a result, you can significantly reduce your monthly electricity expenses, which can be a considerable relief over the long term.

2. Protect yourself from rising energy rates

Rising costs are everywhere, and electricity is no different. It’s pretty much a given that your utility company will increase the cost of electricity each year—according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the price of electricity has gone up each year for the past 25 years, and sometimes the jumps are substantial: From 2021 to 2022, the nationwide average electricity price increased by 11%. By using solar energy to power your home, you don’t have to worry about increased electricity prices.

3. Reduce your carbon footprint

Many people (as many as 80% in one survey) cited the environmental impact as a primary motivator for considering solar. By choosing solar, homeowners can reduce their carbon footprint, help mitigate climate change, and promote a more sustainable future.

Unlike conventional energy sources such as fossil fuels, solar energy produces clean and renewable power without harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Installing a solar panel system for your home can offset the carbon emissions produced by nearly 170 tons of carbon dioxide.

Solar energy systems also help conserve valuable natural resources like water as they do not require water for operation, unlike coal or nuclear power plants. What’s more, solar energy can also improve air quality—in fact, the average residential solar power system is the equivalent of planting 4,000 trees.

4. Increase your home’s value

Another way solar technology is good for your wallet is through an increased property value. As more and more people understand the importance of energy efficiency, the demand for clean energy is only growing. Homes that are powered by low maintenance, renewable energy sources like solar or wind are in high demand, and prospective buyers are willing to shell out more money for them. One study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy found that homebuyers are willing to spend an additional $15,000 or more for a solar-powered home.

5. Good return on investment

When making home improvements, most homeowners consider the return on investment. Solar panels require an upfront initial cost to install the panels. On average, installation cost for a solar system is between $15,000 and $25,000 (not including additional savings from tax rebates and other incentives). Depending on where you live, this cost can be recouped quickly: The average payback period is 7 years. Taking advantage of government incentives and rebates and selling back excess energy to the grid can help you maximize your ROI.

6. Tax credits and homeowner incentives

Thanks to tax credits and generous incentives for homeowners, there truly is no better time to go solar. These incentives include:

• Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), a 22% tax credit for tax-paying U.S. residents who install solar systems on residential properties. This credit will decrease in value year by year, and it will be phased out in 2034.
• “Adder” credits of 10-20% for Section 48 projects or certain low-income areas.
• Additional credits and incentives based on your state. A full list can be found here.

These credits can provide substantial savings on your overall cost of purchasing and installing solar panels.

Go solar with Vivint Smart Energy

Installing solar power for your home clearly comes with many benefits. And with Vivint Smart Energy, the advantages don’t stop there.

If you want to take full advantage of your solar energy, the Vivint app is a must. Compatible with both iOS and Android, the Vivint app makes it easy to both control your smart home system and gain insight into how well your energy production is working—all from one intuitive interface.

Here’s how the app integrates seamlessly with smart energy systems that have Enphase and Solar Edge Inverters:

• Energy production data. Through the Vivint app, you can easily see how much energy your solar panels are generating.
• Peak energy production hours. See when your panels are producing peak energy and whether they are actively producing power for your home.
• Estimated cost savings. Curious how much money your solar system is saving you? The app provides you with an easily-digestible graph that illustrates your savings over time.
• Environmental impact. With Energy Insights, you’ll gain insight into the environmental impact that installing solar panels on your home has had. From pounds of CO2 reduced to how many trees planted your energy production equates to, you’ll know exactly what impact your solar system is having on the environment.

Getting started with Vivint Smart Energy is easy. Contact us today at 855.234.7629 for a free quote.