It goes without saying that the solar market in SoCal is very saturated with all types of companies offering solar energy services as consumer demand continues to increase. Advertising, while a necessary part of marketing, can unfortunately be deceptive at times and drive homeowners into making misconstrued decisions.
You have probably seen many of those ads from companies claiming that they offer free solar panels, or a government program that will cover all the costs of your system.
What are these government programs and how can you get free solar panels?
The reality is there are no such government programs and there is no such thing as a free solar installation. The hidden truth behind these deceptive ads is that they are offering a solar lease or a PPA (power purchase agreement). Through these arrangements, homeowners do not own their solar systems or the electricity their system produces. Rather, the developer who sells the program to the homeowner supplies, installs, and owns the system - in these cases, the homeowner pays a certain monthly cost once the system is installed and operational. These costs can be fixed, but more commonly these programs come with an escalator clause in which the provider will increase the monthly charge for your solar electricity over time (just as your utility company does). Therefore, you are not directly paying for the equipment being installed, but rather for the energy you use after the system installed.
Conversely, with a purchased system, you either pay up front for the actual system (or finance your purchase through a loan). In the meantime, you significantly reduce your electricity bills. Your system will pay for itself completely and give you, not a third party, the financial perks of owning a solar system.
With a lease or PPA, you simply pay a solar provider instead of your utility company, but it is not an ownership-based investment. Your solar provider will claim the federal 30% tax credit as well as profit off the excess power your system generates. Purchasing your system qualifies you for the tax credit, increases your property value without increasing your property taxes, and actually pays itself off. This allows you to autonomously produce and use your own electricity, as well as sell back extra power to your utility for credits.
Having full ownership of the electricity your rooftop generates is undoubtedly the best method for reaping the advantages that make solar a good investment in the first place.
On the topic of incentives - there is a federal 30% tax credit available to homeowners who purchase and own their systems. Aside from that, some utility companies may offer local rebates or incentives from time to time. While these incentives can significantly reduce the net cost of your system, the system will not be free. There is no government program or "solar stimulus" program that can get you free solar panels.
As an advocate of solar energy, it is disappointing to see misleading ads which put homeowners in risky positions and give solar a bad name.
OneSun offers a customized approach to any homeowner considering a solar energy system for their home. Purchasing solar panels from OneSun will give you ultimate peace of mind knowing that you will 100% own your system, with no hidden fees, no middlemen, and no third party energy providers. Contact us today for a free estimate and see how we can help you get the best ROI on your solar project.
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