Generate Your Own Power with Solar

When we talk about “home solar” what we’re talking about is distributed photovoltaic solar (or PV solar). A solar panel’s photovoltaic cells convert the energy in sunlight to electricity – specifically, direct current (DC). This DC electricity is then converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter.

AC is the type of electrical current you typically use when you plug anything into a residential wall socket. If you have solar on your roof, the system’s electrical panel sends power to your lights and appliances.

A long time. Like, a really long time.

Many home array solar panels are guaranteed for decades, thanks to warranties that typically cover 25-30 years. But because their parts do not wear out easily, solar arrays are well-known to continue producing clean electricity even beyond these lengthy timeframes.

Not too much, really. Your solar panels themselves can last for decades on end without much upkeep (maybe just remember to keep them free of debris, snow, etc.). But you will likely need to replace the inverter every 10–12 years throughout the life of your system.

Yes. Not only does a solar energy system add substantial value to your home the minute it’s up and running, it can even pay for itself – and then some!

EnergySage reports that most solar owners save from $20,000–$97,000 over the life of their system.

Your savings may vary – depending on factors like your typical electricity cost, average sunlight, and system size – but with federal and other incentives, many systems can pay for themselves in under nine years, meaning from that point on, the electricity you generate is free. Plus, owning your system helps insulate you from utility rate hikes.

Speaking of those incentives, tax rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) make this a never-better time to install solar on your home.

The IRA provides a tax credit of 30% of the cost of solar energy systems, including installation. On average, this means a savings of more than $7,500 on a solar system, making choosing clean energy more affordable than ever.