Solar News & Information
The Increasing Popularity of Solar Energy
November 18, 2019
Across Massachusetts and neighboring states in the Northeast, a person doesn’t have to travel far to see examples of rooftop solar energy or a large solar power farm here and there. In the Bay State, thousands of homeowners have discovered the huge savings and environmental benefits made a solar investment irresistible.
Beyond the region, solar energy capacity and solar installations are growing in most states at record breaking rates. Costs of solar panels and power management hardware are historically low. Power production and efficiency improvements allow projects to be designed using fewer panels requiring less space than a decade ago. The net result is that from small projects like residential solar to the largest solar farms, this sustainable electricity is giving traditional power generation stiff competition.
A quick look at solar power’s increasing popularity by the numbers:
Record Breaking Low Solar Electricity Prices
In the state of Idaho, Idaho Power announced recently that it had secured a 20-year deal to buy power from a 120MW solar farm at less than 2.2 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Just two months later in California, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) annoucned a solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a record low of just under 2 cents per kWh. The 400 MW project includes energy storage, priced and sold independently, making the solar only price a record low value.
Solar Power Generation Capacity is Growing
It is no surprise that the large, populated, and sunny state of California leads the nation having surpassed over 25 GW of installed solar energy capacity. The state accounts for approximately half of the over 2 million homes nationwide that have added rooftop solar, as well.
In the Northeast, Massachusetts trails only New Jersey in total installed solar capacity, exceeding 2.6 GW of installed solar energy capacity. However, unlike California, with 10 times the capacity, over 420,000 homes in Massachusetts have gone solar, making the state one of the best locations for residential, rooftop solar.
With the appropriate climate and vast amounts of open land, California clearly takes advantage with many large solar farms to boost its solar electricity generation.
Most Installed Solar Energy Capacity – Top 10
Click to see larger.
Solar Energy Popularity and the Homeowner
Of course, the historically low costs make a solar investment possible for a wider range of homeowners. As more make the smart, money saving solar power investment, it becomes more broadly recognized as valuable and desirable.
This value is recognized by home buyers, too. Professional real estate associations have conducted studies that show both appraisers and those looking for new homes are willing to add this value to a home.
Most recently, Zillow, an internet based real estate database, quantified what people are willing to in some select states in which they conducted a survey. Some of these were reported in CNBC’s “Solar Power Can Boost Your Home’s Value”.
Even more encouraging, according to Pew’s “U.S. Views on Climate and Energy”, the acceptance of clean energy as a the future of the country’s energy supply is universal. Of those surveyed, across all political viewpoints the majority want greater renewable energy adoption.
SunRa Solar Committment
Any home that is suitable for solar can save thousands. In addition to avoiding paying for some or all of your power, a buyer will see extra financial benefit thanks to the new and more predictable SMART compensation program.
This is a reason SunRa Solar offers easy and no obligation evaluations for homeowners.
- The company can quickly review your home’s suitability.
- There will be more timely and accurate insight into the current status of each utility within the SMART Block framework.
- Therefore an accurate investment and savings estimate can be provided.
Contact Us with questions or to see exactly how solar power will work for YOUR home, saving you thousands. It’s a free evaluation with absolutely no obligation.
