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When homeowners decide to install solar panels, most are thinking about energy bill savings, and reducing their carbon footprint. But another perk of having a solar-powered home is an increase in market value and overall appeal to potential buyers can increase. This may help you to sell your home faster and at a higher price in the future. So, whether you’re considering installing solar panels for environmental or financial reasons, read on to discover how they can add value to your home. Increased Resale Value and Faster Sales Homeowners often see a significant home renovation, like getting a new kitchen, as a potential add-on to their home sale price if they decide to sell. Solar panels are no exception to this.  Industry studies have found that houses with solar panels can have up to $6000 of added value for each 1 Kw installed and tend to sell for 4% more than homes without solar. Having a house with solar panels may also help you sell it faster. Solar powered homes sell, on average, 20% faster than traditional homes. The Eco-Friendly Real Estate Market is Increasing As people become more concerned about their environmental impact, they start looking for ways to make their lifestyle more sustainable. This also applies when they’re in the market to buy a new home. A study by the pricing consultancy Simon-Kucher & Partners found that more than a third of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products and services.  Moreover, the TD Canada Trust Green Home Poll showed that 72% of Canadians surveyed stated they’d be willing to pay more for a home with eco-friendly features. Having a house with solar panels will attract this share of environmentally conscious homebuyers who understand the value of solar as a more sustainable energy source, in addition to buyers looking to save money on utilities. Beyond the Market Value If you choose not to sell your home and have decided it is the place to settle, a solar-powered home will still provide you with returns for many years. The general financial break-even for a home with solar panels is 10 to 15 years, after which your solar system will pay for itself in utility bills and start producing energy for free for the rest of its useful life. This, and the credits you receive for being part of the micro-generation program, are the key to reducing your dependence on the grid and keeping more money in your pocket. Going Solar is a Win-Win Whether or not you choose to sell your home in the near future, installing solar panels is a wise decision that will help you increase the value of your home and keep your utility bills low for decades, all while contributing to a more sustainable future. If you’re ready to get your own home solar system or have more concerns regarding the installation process, we can help. Contact us to book a free consultation to ask us all your solar questions, no matter how big or small.

Solar energy has gained popularity recently due to its position as a greener and cheaper long-term alternative to power homes and businesses. This growing interest has led to a surge of online and offline misinformation, making many interested in installing solar panels stay on the fence. To fight the misconceptions about solar power, we want to help you separate fact from fiction by debunking the most common solar energy myths. Myth #1: Solar Panels Don’t Work in Cold Weather or Cloudy Days Fact: Solar panels work even in winter when we have below-zero temperatures most days. This myth is widespread since many believe solar panels depend on solar heat to produce energy. The fact is that solar panels get power from the sunlight, and this light is absorbed by the photovoltaic (PV) cells the panels are made of, turning the light into usable energy. Moreover, solar panels are more efficient in cold temperatures, just like any other electrical appliance in your home. High temperatures reduce PV cells’ output efficiency by 10% to 25%, that is, their ability to produce power. Solar panels will work at their maximum efficiency on cold, sunny days; this is why Southern Alberta is one of the best places to install solar panels in Canada. As for solar panels’ performance on cloudy or rainy days, they will still produce power on a slightly reduced level, depending on the thickness of the clouds. Myth #2: Solar Panels Cause Roof Damage Fact: A well-designed solar system installed by professionals takes into consideration roof integrity, and it should never cause any damage. This is why it’s always recommended work with a dedicated and experienced solar company to avoid any potential headaches in the long run. Myth #3: Solar Panels Aren’t Efficient Enough Fact: Under optimal conditions, solar panels should start powering your home and reducing your dependence on the grid almost immediately. Over time, your solar panels will produce more energy than your home needs and that excess energy will be sold to the grid, granting you credits that will reduce your electricity bills. Myth #4: Solar Panels Are Too Expensive Fact: The upfront investment still exists, but thanks to the increasing availability of government financial incentives, solar panels are more accessible than ever. Once you get a home solar system, you become a micro-generator. By selling the excess energy you produce back to the grid, the initial investment you made at the beginning will pay itself over time.  Myth #5: Installing Solar Panels Is Complicated and Are High-Maintenance Fact: Home solar system installation is quick and straightforward if you work with an experienced installer. From our experience, most systems are up and running within a day. If homeowners want, they can clean the solar panels with water to remove accumulated dust or snow to keep them in good condition, but most of the time, the rain will do this for them. As for technical maintenance, solar systems have very few moving parts for maintenance and, in most cases, do not require extensive maintenance on the homeowner’s behalf to function correctly. Solar YYC customers get lifetime system monitoring, so we can offer support quickly if something is wrong with their panels. Myth #6: Reselling a Home with Solar Panels is Difficult Fact: Solar panels have increased in popularity, and homes have become more valued and appealing to buyers. Research has found that homes with solar systems have an average appreciation of 4% in Canada, which can help pay for your investment. In addition, solar-powered homes tend to sell faster than traditional homes. Myth #7: Solar Panels Can’t Withstand Hail Fact: Modern solar panels are covered with heavy-duty tempered glass and are incredibly resilient. The panels are tested to resist hail storms and harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, and high winds. We hope this article helps you understand solar energy better and make an informed decision on getting solar panels. If you have more concerns or questions about solar, we can give you the answers. Book a free, no-obligation consultation to make us all your solar questions, no matter how big or small.