Massachusetts Solar Power FAQs

Solar power has grown more popular over the past several years. The world is looking to clean energy sources to replace fossil fuels, and solar is the best option. But as more people hear about solar power, they have more questions, so here are some Massachusetts solar power FAQs.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels work by allowing photons, which are particles of light, to knock electrons free from atoms. This generates a flow of electricity. 

Solar panels actually comprise many smaller units called photovoltaic cells, which turn sunlight into electricity. Many cells linked together make up a solar panel. The electric current in the SunPower panels then flows to the inverter, which converts that DC electricity into AC, the most common form of electricity. Once the energy has been converted, it supplies energy to your home.

Do Solar Panels Work on Cloudy Days?

Solar panels do indeed work on cloudy days, which is good because Massachusetts generally gets an average of 197 sunny days each year, which is less than the national average. Direct sunlight is best for converting solar energy, but our solar technology is designed for high efficiency, meaning our panels are some of the best for low light energy production. They’re designed to convert indirect sunlight into solar energy. This means that even when skies are overcast, your solar panels are powering your home.

Is Solar Worth It In Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is ranked fifth in the nation for solar power, so it’s clearly worth it. This is impressive, especially when you compare it to more sunny and arid states down south. One of the biggest reasons is because of solar incentives like the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. This is on top of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, which allows residential homeowners to credit 30% of the cost of installing solar panels to their federal income tax.

As utilities for heat and electricity have been rising in Massachusetts, finding cheaper alternative energy sources is important for keeping the bills low. Installing a solar energy system is your best and the proven route to combating the escalating costs. With solar, you could eventually reduce your electricity bill to near $0.

Can I Get Solar Panels for Free?

For all of the great solar benefits Massachusetts offers, free solar panels are not one of them. When you see ads claiming companies will install your solar panels for free, they are actually using manipulative language to trick you into signing a lease for your solar panels. This means that you’ll be paying monthly rental fees to the solar panels’ real owners. While leasing can be beneficial for some homeowners, it has major drawbacks compared to owning the panels outright.

Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value in Massachusetts?

Getting solar panels installed can absolutely increase your house’s value. According to Forbes, “you can expect solar panels to increase the value of your home by up to 2 to 3%, depending on how much your home is worth, the size of your solar system and the exact location in Massachusetts where you live.” However, it is important that you own these solar panels instead of leasing them. Leasing can affect your ability to resell your home.

When you’re considering getting solar panels for your Massachusetts home, it’s important to ask the right questions. To better understand how solar panels work and what the benefits are, do your research and feel free to contact BlueSel Home Solar to talk to the experts.