A new report has cast a spotlight on a simple solution that could allow millions more U.S. households to take advantage of home solar.
Permit Power highlighted the vast difference in the cost of solar installation in the U.S. as compared to other countries and made recommendations for how to close that gap.
"Most Americans are unable to leverage rooftop solar to help address a growing affordability crisis because installation costs are unnecessarily expensive," the report said.
The main culprits are the so-called "soft costs" of solar installation. Many of these soft costs are caused by unnecessary bureaucratic inefficiencies, including costly and time-consuming permitting, inspection, and interconnection processes, according to PV magazine.
"There is strong research that shows how unnecessary bureaucratic barriers raise the cost of rooftop solar and home batteries in the United States," said Talor Gruenwald, author of the Permit Power report, per PV magazine.
Installing home solar panels is a great way to save money on your electric bill while also reducing pollution. To learn more, check out TCD's Solar Explorer and see how you can save up to $10,000 on installations.
While purchasing and installing solar panels might not be in every homeowner's budget, innovative solar subscription programs like Palmetto's LightReach can allow you to save as much as 20% on your utility rates for as little as $0 down.
With all the information available about home solar, it can feel overwhelming. However, another Solar Explorer partner, EnergySage, makes it simple with easy-to-use tools that allow you to compare quotes from vetted local installers and understand what incentives are available to you.
Save $10,000 on solar panels — or get them on your roof without paying for purchase or installation Whatever your solar budget, Palmetto can help you save. If you want to buy your own panels, Palmetto's concierge advisors can help you save up to $10,000 on installation through a network of preferred installers. And if you'd rather get solar savings without upfront costs, Palmetto's revolutionary LightReach subscription program can deliver. LightReach lets you lease solar panels with no money down, making it painless to lock in long-term savings. Palmetto covers a 25-year warranty for the panels, which means you'll get reliable performance without unforeseen costs. To get started, just answer a few basic questions about your home and connect with Palmetto's experts to find the option that's right for you. |
These resources can also help you reduce the soft costs of solar installation, which account for 78% of the price of home solar, according to OpenSolar, as cited by PV magazine.
In fact, the Permit Power report found that cutting bureaucratic red tape "could lower costs by up to 61%, enabling 20 million more U.S. families to install solar by 2040 and save $1.2 trillion on energy bills," per PV magazine.
To push the cost-saving and environmental benefits of home solar panels even further, you can pair them with energy-efficient electric appliances, such as a heat pump HVAC system. To learn more, check out The Cool Down's HVAC Explorer.
Additionally, the free Palmetto Home app offers useful tips and tools that can save you as much as $5,000.
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If you don't have solar panels on your home, which of these factors is the biggest barrier to installing them? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
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