The Sun’s rays of light, which can be defined as a never-ending beam of massless, high-speed photons, can be converted into electricity for residences, businesses, and public uses of electricity like light poles that light streets.
Many homes are investing in top-of-the-line solar photovoltaic panel systems thanks to the variety of important benefits they bring to the proverbial table. Further, homes that make use of the Sun’s rays through solar power utilization systems sell for thousands more dollars than homes of similar values that don’t make use of the most abundant natural resources known to man – the Sun.
Where Are Residential Solar Systems Cheaper Than Buying Electricity From the Electrical Grid?
Grid parity is best defined as when generating usable electricity via an alternative source of energy such as wind, hydroelectric, or solar power,
By 2014, grid parity had been reached across California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Further, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, and select other states across New England had similarly reached the milestone of grid parity, meaning the electricity provided by solar power systems was cheaper than the electricity available through utility companies.
As solar panel equipment decreases in price and becomes more efficient, the total number of states that have reached grid parity will continue to increase across the United States.
The Cost of Solar Panel Systems’ Components Is High
According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s 2013 study titled Exploring California PV Home Premiums, installing fully-functioning solar energy capture and conversion systems that utilize photovoltaic technology equal in output to five kilowatts adds just short of $30,000 to the sale price of homes.
Outside of every other benefit that residential solar power systems bring to the table, they add to the dollar value of homes because they simply cost lots of money to purchase and install.
Power Outages Won’t Threaten Your Family’s Access to Power
Across 2000 and 2001, the state of California suffered from a number of electrical grid blackouts during times when residents needed electricity the most. Take, for example, the California electricity crisis’ first wave of blackouts on June 14, 2000, when nearly 100,000 utility customers’ residences found themselves without power during a near-record-breaking heat wave.
In January and March 2001, blackouts affected a total of two million customers across a total span of four days.
Imagine the frustration of being one of the many residences that were affected by the rolling blackouts, especially during a heat wave. Keep in mind that while utility companies that offer access to the electrical grid are generally stable, they aren’t as stable as a well-maintained residential solar panel system.