The Benefits of Adding Solar Panels During Austin Renovations

In recent years, across the world, there has been a lot of concern about our energy usage. Particularly, this has been because of the emission of air pollutants from the combustion of fossil fuels. Environmental problems are seen to be directly linked to this kind of energy production and consumption. This includes not just air pollution, but also water pollution, thermal pollution, and solid waste disposal. And that is where solar panels come in.

Factors to Consider When Installing Solar Panels

Do your research to determine whether solar panels are right for your home. Before you commit to partnering with a local, quality solar installer, these should be your five main considerations.

Intimidating Costs

When done right, solar panels are highly cost-effective. That being said, the out-of-pocket price of solar panels is dependent on your tax credits, rebates, and financing option. It may be the case that you have to spend a sizable amount upfront. You are going to be paying for the solar panels themselves, the installation process, the inverter, wiring, and batteries. The good thing about putting up solar panels as part of an Austin renovation is that Texas solar incentives are capable of offsetting the out-of-pocket cost. For qualified customers, Texas electricity providers can even reduce electricity bills, thanks to net metering benefits. But understand that, if your electricity costs are low, your solar savings are going to similarly be low. The cost of electricity varies between states, so you should be mindful of how long it will take to get a return on investment.

Local Requirements

When you live in a community with a homeowners association (HOA), there is a certain amount of control over what can happen there. This might limit what you are capable of doing with your Austin renovations. Some HOAs can even determine whether or not you are able to install solar panels. This is because not all states have solar rights laws, which guarantee an HOA resident’s right to solar panels. Luckily, Texas is among those that do. Still, depending on the location, there may be permit requirements and codes that must be met. For this reason, homeowners should always have a professional handle solar panel installation. They should be familiar with the ICC International Solar Energy Provisions (ISEP). This is a comprehensive document for solar energy standards and photovoltaic (PV) safety code provisions. Because of how streamlined it is, the 2021 ISEP is easy for experts to apply in the field.

Owning vs. Renting

If you own your home, you have greater abilities to do what you want with the property. This is true across Austin renovation and remodeling projects. Of course, you are still going to have to be in line with your HOA’s guidelines. But when it comes to solar panels, Texas homeowners don’t need to inquire for approval. Renters, on the other hand, must have a conversation with their landlord. Look into community solar programs, as well. You may be eligible for a subscription that provides bill credits from off-site solar energy production.

Type of Roof

Solar PV panels take up a lot of space. Unfortunately, some roofs are simply not big enough to fit the number of solar panels that you wish to have. You need more solar panels to produce more electricity. It may not be as appealing to you to have to install the panels in your yard instead. After all, this takes away from your yard space. Also, certain roofing materials, such as cedar or slate tiles, make installing solar panels a challenge. If you have an older or historical home, installers might run into a roadblock. Expert solar installers will inform you of whether your roof needs any maintenance work prior to the installation process during your Austin renovation.

Texas Power Grid

Austin residents remember what it was like when the grid failed us in 2021. The winter storm had resulted in a state-wide failure that left us without power. You might be wondering if solar panels would have been a good Austin renovation to combat this. Something to be aware of, though, is that, even with solar panels, you are not allowed to live entirely off the grid. This is a law in Texas. So, if the power goes out, your solar panels won’t be able to help you. That is, unless you have a solar battery attached. As of 2020, it had been reported that only 4% of global solar PV projects had paired batteries. The number of climbing, but we encourage every homeowner to consider a battery backup so that you avoid interruptions in electricity whenever the power grid goes out.

Factors to Consider When Installing Solar Panels

You have decided that you are ready to have increased energy independence. These are the core benefits of installing solar panels during Austin renovations that you should know.

Reduce Your Utility Bills

In the modern day, everyone needs electricity in their homes. But the unfortunate fact of the matter is that utility companies are able to increase their prices when they please. This means that homeowners often find themselves paying increasing costs for something that they need in order to complete school assignments, work, and other day-to-day tasks. The biggest benefit of solar panels is that they give you the ability to generate your own electricity. Overall, you become less reliant on your electric utility. What this translates to is lower energy bills, considering solar panels are able to produce enough energy to power at least half of your home. With this Austin renovation, you don’t have to worry about price hikes. Because solar panel systems typically last 25 to 35 years, you can cut your costs for literal decades.

Earn Back Your Investment

Considering residential electricity bills in Texas rank fifth in the United States, many homeowners have turned to solar energy. Remember back when we mentioned that Texas offers solar incentives to qualified homeowners? You could be eligible for a tax credit! Per a federal government incentive, taxpaying homeowners are able to claim a credit of up to 30% of the cost of their solar energy system. But in Texas, specifically, you benefit from these three solar incentives.

• TXU Energy Home Solar Buyback Plan: You can earn clean energy bill credits, getting paid for the excess energy your solar installation creates.
• Solar Energy System Property Tax Exemption: With this incentive, when you add a new solar panel system on your rooftop, your property taxes won’t increase.
• Local Utility Company Solar Rebates: Certain residential customers may be eligible for cash incentives, with the amount depending on factors that include their electric provider and solar PV system size.

Solar Panels are Low Maintenance

If your roof is not the right shape for solar panels, don’t fret! It could just need some maintenance from a professional roofer before installation. They will point you in the right direction regarding what Austin renovations need to happen. Beyond that, once your solar panels have been successfully added to your roof, they require very little maintenance. They do not have any moving parts that you will have to take care of. That means there is no wear and tear. You do need to keep your solar panels relatively clean. But, luckily, that isn’t something that you will have to do more than a couple of times per year, such as if we were to go through another winter storm. Plus, the majority of solar panel manufacturers offer a warranty for 20 to 25 years. The only thing that you would have to change during that time would be the inverter.

Cut Down on Carbon Emissions

Solar is a renewable source of energy. It helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, like carbon dioxide, in a way that fossil fuels do not. This is because solar power provides no emissions during generation itself. On the other hand, in order to generate power, traditional electricity relies on fossil fuels. So, when you invest in solar, you are doing your part to lessen your pollution contributions. Compared to other sources of energy, solar proves itself to be the most positive in terms of environmental impact. This Austin renovation will actively reduce your carbon footprint.

Improve Your Home Value

Although they are a great financial investment, solar panels will take some time before breaking even. With that in mind, we recommend not installing solar panels if you plan on moving anytime soon. It may feel unworthy to you in the long term since you won’t get to see the investment through. Despite that, it is important to note that solar panel installation is an Austin renovation that can increase your property value. If you end up moving sometime down the line, you will get a higher return once you sell. One study showed that solar installations increased a home’s resale value by $5,911 per kilowatt of solar panels. This could really make you come out on top in the end.

You need a knowledgeable renovation team behind you to create your dream home. Bat City Builders is a design-build company that offers services to the Greater Austin area. Whether you need work done in your kitchen, bathrooms, or living room, we have you covered. Our average project size is a multi-room remodel, but we are more than capable of taking on smaller project sizes. That includes working with our partner, Longhorn Solar, to get you set up with the best solar panels in Texas. Contact us today to discuss your Austin renovation needs!