4 Tips to Buying Your First Solar Panel Kit

Buying your first solar panel kit is a great first step in going green.

Not only will a solar panel kit help you lower your carbon footprint, but it’ll help you lower your own expenses, and over time, you’ll see your electricity bills cut considerably. However, when you’re a first-time buyer, it can be a bit overwhelming having to choose between the numerous options presented to you.

In this post, we’re going to help you make this life-changing purchase by giving you 5 tips to consider when buying your first solar panel kit. The more you know about solar panels themselves, as well as what you’re using it for, the easier the choice will be.

1. Measure How Much Electricity You Use

Before you start looking for a solar kit, you should take stock of how much electricity you’re currently using. Whether you’re using it at home or bringing it in your camper, it’s good to have an idea of how big of a solar panel you’re going to need.

If you’re talking about a home-mounted solar panel, it’s going to power your appliances and then send the rest out to the grid. You’re going to get paid for each kWh you send to the grid, so a larger unit is better. In terms of portable panels, you’ll want to look at what you want to power and then figure out how big of a panel you need.

2. Reviews and Recommendations

To get a good idea of which panels are best and what comes with buying solar panels, ask around for recommendations. If you know someone that has solar panels already, they can tell you what to expect with certain kits.

Otherwise, you can focus on online ratings and reviews on solar kits. Experienced users will be able to tell you about their experiences and let you know if there are any concerns that you should have before buying.

3. Understand Pricing

With solar panel kits, you’re making an investment. It’s important to understand that you’re paying more money upfront in order to save money on the back end. Many portable solar kits cost in the thousands of dollars, but when you factor in the money you’ll be saving with solar, you break even in just a few years.

That’s why it’s important to get something that’s going to last. Even if it seems expensive now, reliability is something worth paying for, rather than replacing your solar kit before you’re able to break even.

4. Check for Perks and Rebates

A lot of governments offer tax credits and financial incentives for going solar. Check online to see if your state does any solar rebates, as this could push you toward making the move toward buying a solar kit.

We’ve already discussed how contributing to your local solar grid will pay off, albeit in a small way. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit is worth up to 26% of your project costs and if you live in a state like Arizona, you might be able to take advantage of numerous other solar credits and tax exemptions.

Get Your Solar Panel Kit ASAP

Use these tips to help make your decision on your first solar panel kit. With federal and state benefits being what they are and seeing the amount of money you can save long-term, helping to save the planet is just icing on the cake.

If you enjoyed this post, come back and visit us again for more on products, services, technology, and business.