Professional contractors streamline the solar panel installation process in order to make switching to photovoltaic power easy. But what does the process actually involve? Here at Greenify Energy Savers, we get this question quite frequently – and understandably so, as homeowners need to know what to expect before embarking on any home improvement project. In light of this, we decided to share a guide to the solar panel installation process.

Step 1: Solar Energy Contractor Consultations

Most reputable photovoltaic contractors, including the team at Greenify Energy Savers, offer free consultations and estimates for solar energy system installation. Schedule appointments with a few different companies, then compare the price per watt (PPW) as you consider their bids.

Step 2: Solar Panel Installation Contract

After you decide which professional photovoltaic contractor you want to hire, you’ll need to sign a contract. Before you commit to the project, however, make sure the contract indicates the specific equipment to be installed and provides details on energy output, warranty terms, and financing arrangements.

Step 3: Solar Energy Adoption Paperwork

Next is obtaining the building and electrical permits we handle this paperwork but occasionally, some areas require something from the customer.

Step 4: Solar Energy System Equipment

Once the permits and paperwork are good to go, it’s time to order the solar panels and other system equipment the project requires. Professional photovoltaic contractors handle this step, but this is the point when you’ll schedule a day for your solar energy system installation.

Step 5: Solar Panel System Installation

The company you hired will complete the work without your assistance, but be prepared – installing a solar energy system can be rather noisy. And if your project is complex, it may take more than one day to complete. The installers may need to ask for your wi-fi connection information unless you opted for a cell kit to monitor your system online.

Step 6: Solar Energy Interconnection

The final step is to connect the system to the local utility grid, which requires approval from your city’s building inspector and signoff from the electricity provider. Your photovoltaic contractor will arrange for the necessary inspections and make sure everything proceeds without a hitch. After it is all complete, you will be able to monitor your system online. We will also give you all the information for tax credits for your new solar system. If you’re ready to make the switch to photovoltaic power and you live in Utah, call on the professional solar energy contractors at Greenify Energy Savers.

Based in Sandy, Utah, Greenify Energy Savers offers expert solar panel system installation in Salt Lake County and all the cities around here. We also cover as far north as North Ogden, as far west as Tooele County, as far east as Summit County, and as far south as the St. George area.

In our local area, we also provide a range of affordable energy efficiency upgrades designed to reduce power consumption and photovoltaic system costs, allowing homeowners to reach the payback point sooner. For more information about the services we provide at Greenify Energy Savers, or to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss solar panel installation, contact us today.

If you want to save the most money on solar panel installation, you should take advantage of every available financial incentive for adopting photovoltaic power. The federal investment tax credit (ITC) offers the biggest opportunity to save. But if you live in Utah, you can cut your photovoltaic costs further with the state-level solar tax incentive. Here’s what you need to know to gain the maximum benefit from both programs

Saving with the Federal Solar Tax Credit

Claim the federal ITC, and you can reduce your income tax liability by 30 percent of your solar panel installation costs. However, to see those savings, you will need to begin your project by December 31, 2019. If you wait, you can still claim the federal solar tax credit. However, the amount will be smaller. Start your photovoltaic project next year, between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, and you will be eligible for a 26 percent credit. Hold off another year, and the credit drops to just 22 percent. Wait any longer than that, and you won’t be able to take advantage of the federal ITC. 

Saving with the Utah Solar Tax Credit

With the Utah solar tax credit, you can claim 25 percent of your total solar panel installation costs when you file your income taxes. The savings cap is $1,600 – but that’s in addition to, not instead of, the federal ITC. But to gain the biggest benefit, you will need to install your solar panel system by the end of 2020. Wait until 2021, and you will only be eligible for a maximum of $1,200. In 2022, the amount drops to just $800, and the credit for photovoltaic installation in 2023 falls to $400. After that, there will be no Utah solar tax incentive. 

Start Planning Your Solar Panel Installation Soon

As both the federal and state tax incentives are gradually decreasing – and both will be gone in a few short years – you will need to begin your photovoltaic project soon to save the most money. A recent change to the federal ITC means your solar panels do not need to be in operation by the end of 2019 to claim the full tax incentive. You can also qualify by paying at least five percent of your photovoltaic installation costs by the deadline. But seeing how it’s already September, you don’t have a lot of time. When you’re ready to start planning your photovoltaic project, call on the professional team at Greenify Energy Savers. At Greenify Energy Savers, we make installing solar panels easy. And when you work with us, our team will help you reduce your home energy consumption – that’s a part of our process, as boosting your household energy efficiency reduces your photovoltaic costs and helps you reach the payback point sooner. For more information on tax credit savings for solar panel installation in Utah, contact Greenify Energy Savers and schedule a free consultation today.

Install a solar energy system, and you’ll see big savings on your monthly power bill. And, yes, you may even end up with no payment due. Cutting the costs of electricity is one of the top reasons Utah homeowners switch to photovoltaic power. A carefully designed and expertly installed solar panel array can save thousands in utility costs over the course of its lifetime. If your goal is to eliminate your power bills, consider the following as you plan your solar energy system installation.

Current Energy Consumption

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Utah homeowners pay an average price of 10.5 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity used. As a result, most monthly power bills are upwards of $90. Look at your previous utility statements to determine your household energy use, and consider taking steps to reduce your level of power consumption. By making your home more efficient before you install a solar energy system, you will have an easier time offsetting all of your electricity costs. 

Solar Energy System Size

Regardless of whether or not you minimize your household energy consumption, the size of your solar array will have a direct effect on your monthly power bills. Each solar panel in your array can produce only a certain amount of electricity. Therefore, to completely eliminate your energy costs, you need to install a PV system that’s large enough to meet your home power needs. 

Solar Panel Array Installation Costs

Installing a solar array that offsets your electricity use and eliminates your power bill may take a significant investment. But, now is the ideal time to switch to photovoltaic power. Begin your PV system installation by the end 2019, and you can claim the lucrative federal solar tax credit, which reduces your liability by a full 30 percent of your photovoltaic costs. Plus, Utah offers a tax credit of up to $1,600 for residential solar energy projects. If you wait, you might miss out on these lucrative financial incentives. 

Should You Switch to Photovoltaic Power?

Eliminating your monthly power bill may be the ultimate goal, but your photovoltaic power project will pay off even if your solar array doesn’t offset all of your energy costs. In Utah, the law requires electricity providers to offer net metering arrangements – and if your PV system ever produces more energy than your household needs, you will receive a credit on your power bill. What’s more, installing a solar panel array can boost your home value. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar-powered properties sell for up to 17 percent more money – and up to 20 percent faster — than similar properties powered entirely by the utility grid. Do you have questions about switching to photovoltaic power in Utah? Or are you ready to begin planning your solar energy project? Turn to the professional team at Greenify Energy Savers. Based in Sandy, Utah, and serving homeowners throughout the greater Salt Lake City area, Greenify Energy Savers offers expert home PV system installation as well as a range of affordable energy efficiency upgrades. If you want to eliminate your power bill, contact us for a free solar energy system consultation today.

If you’re considering rooftop solar panel installation at your Salt Lake City area home or business, you already know that you can save money – potentially a lot of money – by reducing or eliminating your electricity bills. You will also improve the value of your home while doing something nice for the environment. As you consider your options, keep in mind that certain factors can help improve your solar energy production and reduce your photovoltaic (PV) system investment costs. These factors can also help expedite your return on investment (ROI) and help you reach the payback point more quickly.

Solar Panel Installation Location

Most homeowners and business owners elect to install their PV panels on the roof of the main structure. However, until you have your roof inspected by a professional solar installer, you won’t know for sure that the roof structure is sound enough to accommodate the panels and mounting brackets. In addition, you must also consider the orientation of your roof and its potential to generate solar energy. If you have any obstructions that cast shade onto the roof, for example, this can significantly impede the panels’ ability to generate energy. Issues with orientation or roof condition won’t prevent you from going solar, however, as your PV contractor has a variety of ways to address and overcome these and other challenges.

Paying for Your Solar Energy System

You have likely seen many ads online, in print or in the mail for seemingly too-good-to-be-true solar panel installation deals. Some or all of these likely involve leasing a PV system from some company who then charges you for the power you use. Even though these companies may install your system with no money down – and even kick in some extras like a new electrical panel for your home – they are rarely a good deal. In fact, they can cost you money in the long run. And, unless you purchase your solar panels and PV system yourself, you won’t be able to claim any of the available incentives or tax credits. Explore your options for financing your PV system. Your solar panel installation contractor can help you with incentives and other ways to minimize your system cost while still getting all the potential benefits.

Photovoltaic System Size

How many solar panels will you need for your PV system? The answer depends on how much space you have on the roof, how much free electricity you want to produce and how much money you have budgeted for your system. Given the physical panel space and the budget, you can install a system that meets all of your power demands. But, when you choose the right Utah solar contractor, they can help you reduce your power consumption as a part of designing and installing your PV panels. Not only will this reduce the amount of rooftop space you need but it will also reduce your system cost and help you reach your payback point even sooner. Throughout the Salt Lake City area, including Park City, Sandy and Cottonwood Heights, Greenify Energy Savers helps our customers improve their energy efficiency, reduce their power consumption and increase the comfort of their homes and businesses. Contact us today for a free, personalized cost estimate for solar panel installation

You’ve crunched the numbers and made the wise financial decision to install solar panels at your Utah home – but now what? Determining the best solar panels and system equipment for you can pose a daunting challenge, especially if you aren’t familiar with today’s advanced photovoltaic (PV) technology. Selecting the right solar installer is a critical first step. Your PV contractor can explain your options and provide the information you need to make the right choices for your home, your lifestyle and your budget.

What Types of Solar Panels Are Available Today?

Technically, you have three types of PV panels to choose from today: Monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Thin-film panels are rarely used in Utah solar installations because they have the lowest power output capacity and, at the same time, they’re the most fragile option. Thin-film solar panels are aesthetically pleasing; however, this is usually not enough of an influencing factor to sway customers’ decisions. Polycrystalline panels are more efficient than thin-film products. However, this option does have efficiency and power production limitations. Monocrystalline solar panels have the highest output and efficiency of all and you can choose higher wattage panels if you decide to pursue this option. And, although they carry the highest cost, they also provide the highest return on investment.

Does It Matter Which PV Panels You Choose?

Not all solar panels are created equal. This means you’ll have to compare cost, warranty coverage and efficiency as well as the reputation of the manufacturer. Selecting a less expensive panel from an unknown manufacturer can leave you in a lurch later, if you need repair or replacement and the company isn’t around any longer to honor their warranty. In addition to providing a warranty on the panels themselves, most reputable PV manufacturers also provide assurances regarding the production of power. For example, a manufacturer might guarantee you that the output of their panels will not drop by more than 20% in the first 20 years of use. This helps assure that your savings will continue at a steady rate over the life of your system.

Choosing a Salt Lake City Area Solar Installer

In northern Utah, you have lots of options for choosing a solar energy contractor, and this choice can make or break the success of your system installation. Look for a reputable company that is locally owned and operated and NABCEB certified. Look for an installer that offers American-made, high-efficiency panels that carry a comprehensive warranty. And, if you can find a local solar contractor that also conducts energy efficiency audits and recommends solutions to lower your energy consumption overall, you can save money on your system while improving your home’s comfort and livability. Greenify Energy Savers, assisting customers in Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, Park City and throughout the Salt Lake City area, understands how important these decisions are for you – and we are here to help. Contact us today to request your customized PV system installation quote or to learn more about the best solar panels to use at your Utah home.

Adding a solar energy system to your northern Utah home is the simplest and most cost-effective way to power your home. Today’s photovoltaic technology is revolutionary in its simplicity, durability and effectiveness, and it has become affordable for virtually any homeowner in the U.S. But can going solar also increase the comfort of your home? The answer is a resounding yes, as long as you take a few simple steps to accomplish this goal. And, with these simple and cost-effective strategies, you can also reduce the number of solar panels you need, potentially reducing your system costs as well.

How Does Solar Energy Benefit You? Let Us Count the Ways

Today’s advanced technology has given us powerful, durable solar panels that convert the bountiful and free energy generated by the sun to electricity. You can provide bountiful free power for your home and, when you generate more electricity than you can use, you can send it up the grid and receive net metering credit against your future power bills. You will also be protected against future electrical rate hikes, which continue to increase at a record pace. Solar panels have a long life span (potentially up to 30 years) and require virtually no maintenance. When you purchase your solar panels, they improve both the value and the salability of your home. And, of course, reducing your use of municipal electricity reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping reduce the strain on the environment.

Adopting Comfort-Focused Strategies to Complement Solar Power

Now, let’s look at how adding solar energy to your northern Utah home can improve your comfort. Passive solar strategies are one of the most effective ways to improve your home’s comfort while reducing your utility use. In northern Utah, these strategies are particularly effective. Essentially, this involves leveraging the sun’s energy for heat during the colder months and blocking it during the summer. You can achieve this through landscaping elements, awnings, solar screens and a variety of other options, depending on the location and design of your home. Reducing your energy consumption in conjunction with adding solar panels will also improve the comfort of your home while reducing your power costs. Your options are virtually limitless, from sealing air leaks, installing a smart thermostat, adding window tint, switching to LED lighting, adding ventilation to your attic and installing radiant barrier insulation. Determining the right approach for improving your home’s comfort starts with a comprehensive energy audit. The energy efficiency and solar power experts at Greenify Energy Savers offer this valuable service to homeowners in Sandy, Salt Lake City, Park City, Cottonwood Heights and the surrounding areas of northern Utah. Contact us today to learn more about how you can save money and increase the comfort of your home with solar power.