It seems as though there are a variety of reasons why homeowners should consider installing photovoltaic (PV) cells: the long-term cost savings, environmental benefits, range of financing options and more.
What are the main reasons we don't see more PV cells on homes today?It is not familiar as it in Europe and the return on it is not good as it should be
Homeowners are uneducated about the incentive programs that make solar energy a great investment. Homeowners who are looking for true energy indepdence, and ready to take control of utility bills can. Local incentives and laws make this process simple and economic.
Homeowners just don’t know about the great benefits that solar can bring. Over the past few years, the price of solar energy systems has dropped considerably! Now solar energy makes sense – not only for the environment but also financial sense.
A solar energy system can pay for itself in as little as five years and will raise the value of your home.
Solar energy is everything fossil fuels are not: no drilling, no mining, no pollution, no harmful emissions. Best of all, the energy from the sun is free and the price will never go up.
Mark Bortman
Everyone in the construction industry must let their clients know about solar benefits and the tax incentives. Some states do not charge sales tax when purchasing a solar system and there is the federal tax refund for using solar system.
Atelier Akari Architecture
Mark with Exact Solar really nailed this one. I will add though, the high out-of-pocket cost of purchasing a solar PV system has led to Solar Leases and PPAs. These companies are reaping your benefits. The property value appreciation alone is equal to 20 times the savings in power costs the first year in service. That pencils out to 3 or 4 times what the system costs after federal and state incentives! If that is not enough, the rising cost of power compounds savings even further. Bottom line is a $20K investment can make you $180K+ over the life of the system. Homeowners, small-businesses, and ranchers all need to consider a solar investment!
Lack of Incentives/Rewards, Tax Credits, and/or Funding Assistance/Cost Recapture Programs Made Available or Known to Homeowners
Investment Capability of Homeowners
Lack of Capable and Competent Installers/Contractors
Resistance from Local Utility Authorities
Location Factors Affecting Material Procurement, Market Pricing, and Environmental Conditions
Increase in Number of Home Renters/Decrease in Number of Homeowners
Political Factors Such as HOA Rules & Regulations, Power Utility Providers’ Rates, Rules & Regulations
Direct Impact and Intensity of Sun’s Rays
Climate and Weather Conditions
I think the U.S. is way behind in the game. Our country is well aware of the benefits of solar and green energy, and how conventional power plants are harmful to our atmosphere and ground water, nuclear plants can have catastrophic melt downs and contaminations. But America is not so quick to change.
Homeowners are weary of the initial costs as it can be pricey. It’s a supply and demand business,and until its the norm in the industry, it will be expensive to produce, especially here at home.
Don’t want to veer off the path too much,but I also think our government,special interest,and big business play their part in holding up the process as well.Capitol Hill is still old school vs. new school way of thinking. Unions lobby against change because generations of coal miners ,who have supplied conventional power plants for over a century,will lose jobs or be laid off. Big business keeps outsourcing production of construction materials overseas,hurting our economy.The cost of making some solar components in the U.S. is not cost effective when they can get parts for pennies on the dollar overseas.Low cost,high volume way of thinking for them… but still pass the markup on to the consumer. There are some solar production lines in America,but not doing enough residential business to drive production costs down.
California is usually the benchmark State when it comes to setting standards in America, to reduce emissions,VOC’s,and carbon footprints. Here in L.A. there are a few solar companies buying a lot radio and TV spots and I hope it is getting the message out. The Government is offering rebates for going solar and green. That should be also part of the sales pitch.
Homeowners are just very budget conscious and cautious these days. Overall it’s persistence in education to the public,and properly marketing solar energy,so its more affordable.
Some homeowners think its a political statement to go solar, especially in a red state like Arizona.
Its complete nonsense, but it follows the same logic as those who would typically buy a Prius wouldn’t have an NRA sitcker as well.
The main reason I believe is because homeowners are not aware of the long-term cost savings. The utility company in my area just started posting information on potential rebates and savings (in detail) if the homeowner installs PV cells. The utility company updates on how many people approximately installed a solar power system and with the graph that they have it is visible that more people each year that passes switch or begin with solar power. I always recommend this for homeowners because not only will this decision pay for itself, it will increase their home value.
Most homeowners and businesses simply have not been inspired to learn about solar. In the next few years solar will enter the collective consciousness in a big way. Then when people begin asking questions they will learn that solar is a win-win-win. Environmentally, Politically, and Economically solar makes solid and supra-rational sense.
Actually, you’ll be happy to know that more Americans than ever are going solar. This is mostly because now a days you can have solar panels installed on your home without putting any money down. Converting your home to solar power is much different today than say five or ten years ago. Technology in the components has improved solar function, big banks are now financing the effort, and the IRS is even granting tax credits for going solar. These new factors have resulted in a solar boom in the United States and solar power installations are rising at an unprecedented rate. There is now over 17,500 megawatts of cumulative solar electric capacity operating in the U.S., enough to power more than 3.5 million average American homes
Even more exciting is what’s to come in Solar Energy, researchers have identified a new polymer — a type of large molecule that forms plastics and other familiar materials — which increased the efficiency of solar cells. The polymer allowed electrical charges to move more easily throughout the cell, boosting the production of electricity by 100 times. In 2014, 36% of the new power added to our grid came from solar power and that number is surely to rise. With the continuation of solar financing, tax credits, and improved technology it appears the future of solar power is very bright (pun intended)
The below link is U.S. solar installation data graph:
http://cleantechnica.com/files/2013/12/Screen-shot-2013-12-10-at-10.54.39-AM.png
Because the other sources of energy are relatively cheap. In countries where energy prices are higher, green energy is much more popular.
I believe the length of time being claimed as up to 30 years for full payback is the answer. It is better to upgrade home insulation and sealing for an immediate benefit!
The initial upfront cost make home owners weary, yet due to technological advances solar panels are becoming more effective and more cost efficient. A lot of home owners have been misled or misinformed that solar is over priced and is not the way to go. Yet, in 2015 alone the cost of PV cell solar systems has decreased by 17%.