Photo by Michael Fredericks

Are Solar Panels Worth it For You?

6 Reasons They Might Not Be

Is solar worth it for you?

Maybe. Maybe not.

We wish it were simpler, but without getting to know you better, we can’t honestly tell you.

If you’re in research mode, though, we thought it might be helpful to put a few things on your radar that we believe don’t get talked about enough.

Because as much as that guy with the clipboard cruising your neighborhood door-to-door wants you to think otherwise, solar is definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation.

So here are six reasons you might not want to get solar.

Solar isn’t right for every homeowner

The first thing to know: whether solar makes sense for your home depends on scores of careful calculations. It’s simply not efficient for every home. Just because it makes sense for your next door neighbor doesn’t mean it’s right for your home and your lifestyle.

Folks sometimes call us bewildered, stressed, or pressured into signing a solar agreement that’s not in their best interest. This isn’t surprising in a growing technology field, but hearing this always gets our hackles up.

Sometimes a solar salesperson is purposefully misleading to close a deal. Sometimes they’re simply undereducated about the mountain of variables that affect a realistic solar projection. Either way, misinformation is common enough in our field that we feel compelled to call it out.

Our best tip? Educate yourself about solar. Read reviews. Scour case studies. Ask questions. Lots of questions. We love questions. And if you feel pressured? Walk away. End of story.

Changing solar energy policies

Renewable energy technology has vastly improved over the years. So exciting. Renewable energy policy, however? Not so exciting. Unfortunately, it tends to shift with political agendas. Which means that from net-metering to tax refunds, it’s impossible to pin down long-term certainty when it comes to policies surrounding solar, regardless of how sure anyone seems about it.

Most often, existing systems are grandfathered in for a number of years when new solar policy is passed. That said, if you’re considering solar, it’s important to understand that no one can fully predict future energy policies. That said, knowledge is power. (See what we did there?) Protect yourself by talking in-depth with an expert who knows the ins and outs of solar policy, from net-metering to taxes, and can share all the facts so you make an informed decision.

While none of us has a crystal ball, a knowledgeable solar consultant should be able to — happily — tell you exactly where policy stands right now, as well as what potential future policy changes you should be aware of before investing.

Having an older roof

This one’s simple. Well, pretty simple. If your roof needs replacing, you’ll save time and money by replacing your roof before you install solar.

It’s not completely cut and dry, though: say you’re a few years out from needing a new roof. Some homeowners find it worth it to get solar now anyway. The downside? A solar installer will need to take down and reinstall the panels when you do replace your roof.

One workaround: some roofers actually offer re-reroofing for just the solar section to help you go solar — and will return to complete the rest when needed.

In case you’re also wondering, having panels on there in the meantime won’t hurt your roof — in our experience, solar panels can help protect the surface.

Strict HOA rules

Photo Credit: Asheville Real Estate Photography

Many Homeowners Associations have regulations that attempt to block residents from installing street-facing solar panels. If the side of your roof visible to your street is also the sunniest, this can mean a substantially more expensive system on the wrong side of your roof for no (good) reason.

Sometimes, HOA regulations can hold you back altogether, if the parts of your roof allowed to have solar panels on them are too shaded to power solar panels at all.

That said, renewable energy advocates have been fighting HOAs to loosen regulations for years now, and a bill in the senate could change this.

Not all utilities offer net metering

State law requires the largest power utilities in North Carolina — Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, and Dominion Energy North Carolina — to offer net metering. This billing arrangement allows you as the homeowner to receive credit for power you generate but don’t immediately use. We love net metering because it makes solar a smart financial decision for many homeowners.

Unfortunately, rural electrical cooperatives aren’t required to offer net-metering — and most don’t, which can mean going solar becomes a decision more motivated by environmental concerns than finances.

High upfront cost of solar

Usually, the biggest barrier homeowners experience when switching to solar energy is the initial investment. It’s common to recoup your investment over (an easily projected) number of years, because of both tax breaks and energy savings over time. But not all homeowners have the cash-in-hand up front.

The good news: solar financing opportunities have only improved over time, and often still translate into significant savings. Any solar installer should be able to explain financing options. Just ask!

So is solar worth it for you?

The simple truth is that switching to solar energy doesn’t make sense for everyone.

From shady roofs to rigid HOA rules, there are lots of reasons solar doesn’t always make sense. And they’re unique to your particular house and lifestyle. Hopefully this blog gave you a helpful sense of some important angles to consider.

Want to look deeper? Browse this free resource for an in-depth look at the types of details we’ll delve into when we’re assessing whether solar truly makes sense for your home.