Have you considered installing solar panels on your Texas home but aren’t sure they’re worth it? The fact is that a solar roof system can be one of the best investments you can make in your home. At the same time, solar panels have some drawbacks or issues, especially regarding aesthetics. In this article, we’ll examine the pros and cons of solar roof systems and discuss the options for minimizing or overcoming the drawbacks.
Pro: Energy Savings
The primary reason that many people choose to install solar roof panels on their homes is that it’s a great way to reduce or eliminate your electricity bills. With a solar power system, you can power many things in your home during the day without drawing much or any power from the electrical grid. Some power companies in Texas also offer net metering programs, sometimes called solar buybacks. Unless you spend extra to install solar battery storage, any excess power produced by your solar panels that isn’t immediately used will flow back into the grid. With net metering, you’ll get credit for each kilowatt of power your solar system produces that gets set into the grid.
Some power companies just give you credits to help offset the power you import from the grid, potentially allowing you to lower your electricity bills to almost nothing. If you send more power to the grid you import, your unused credits will usually roll over and apply to the next month’s bill. There are also a few companies that will pay you if you end up sending more power to the grid than you import.
The only issue with net metering is that some power companies credit you for the excess power you export at a much lower rate per kilowatt hour than they charge for the power you import. This is one reason to consider investing in solar battery storage. The batteries will enable you to store all of the excess energy you don’t use so that you save much more on electricity costs. If your solar system and batteries are sufficiently large, you can make it so you pay nothing for electricity. Another advantage is that you continue using the electricity generated by your solar system at night or any other time your panels aren’t generating power.
Con: High Cost of Installation
The cost of solar panels has decreased dramatically over the past few decades. Nonetheless, installing a solar roof system is still quite expensive. Depending on the size of your solar system, you can usually expect to pay anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000 or more. However, these numbers don’t consider the federal solar tax credit. This credit allows you to claim 30% of the total installation costs for your solar system on your taxes, which means you can use that amount to offset any money you owe in income tax. Texas also offers a property tax exemption, so you won’t have to pay additional property taxes on whatever value the solar system adds to your home. Some local utility providers, such as Oncor, also offer incentive programs that allow you to recoup some of the cost when you install a new solar system in an existing home.
Pro: Great Return on Investment
Despite the high installation cost, installing a solar roof system on your roof provides a far greater return on investment than virtually any other home improvement project. Most homeowners save enough money on their electricity bills that they break even on their investment in the solar system after only six to 10 years.
Another important thing to consider when considering the cost of installing a solar system for your home is that it will add quite a bit to the value of your house. Some studies have shown that a home’s value increases by at least $20 for every 1 dollar it saves on your electricity bills. Other studies show that homes with a solar power system sell for around 4% more than comparable homes without solar. Another thing to consider is that having a solar system will help make your home much more appealing to prospective buyers should you ever decide to sell.
Con: Bulky Appearance
One issue many people have with solar roof systems is that they’re big and bulky, which can negatively affect a home’s appearance and aesthetic value. While this can be true, you may be able to put the panels on the roof at the back of your house so that they don’t affect its curb appeal. However, this depends on which direction your home faces. That’s because the panels will work best and generate the most electricity if they are on a south-facing roof since this ensures they receive sunlight throughout the day. East-facing and west-facing roofs also work reasonably well, but you must avoid putting the panels on a north-facing roof.
If you’re concerned about the appearance of the solar panels, a great option is to opt for a Tesla Solar Roof system. This type of system is less bulky and has a much sleeker, more streamlined appearance. That’s because it uses solid black glass solar tiles that blend into darker-colored roofs. Instead of just being mounted on the roof, the system is a part of the roof and seamlessly integrates into the building’s architectural design. The fasteners and brackets used to secure the panels to the roof are also hidden, unlike traditional solar panels.
Pro: Low Maintenance Requirements and Long Lifespan
Solar roof systems require very little maintenance. All you have to do is have the panels cleaned occasionally and the system inspected to ensure everything is still as it should be. Solar panels also last for much longer than you may realize. Most panels will continue generating their maximum power output for at least 20 to 25 years. Tesla and other solar companies offer long extended warranties that reflect this and will replace your panels if they stop working as effectively as they should during the warranty period.
Con: Difficult To Move
Before deciding to install a solar roof system, you must consider the condition of your roof and how long you can reasonably expect it to last before you need to replace it. There’s not much point in installing solar panels on your roof if you don’t think it will last as long as the panels.
That’s because you’d pay a considerable amount more since you’d need to temporarily remove the solar system before replacing the roof and then reinstall it after the new roof is in place. That means the better option would be to replace your roof now and then have the solar system installed. This way, you can ensure that your roof lasts throughout the life of your solar system and save quite a bit of money in the long run.
Dallas-Ft. Worth Expert Roofing and Solar Contractor
KPost Company is a top-rated contractor offering expert solar services to residential and commercial customers throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. We install Tesla solar roofs, a range of other solar panels, and solar backup batteries, and we also specialize in the full range of roofing and concrete coating/waterproofing services. To learn more about your solar power options, contact us today.
