As 2018 draws to a close and we look towards 2019, you may already be writing up your New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you’re resolving to save more money in the new year, or maybe you want to become more energy independent. Going solar is a great way to do both, and with 2019 being the last year for the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit, now is a good time to consider installing solar panels on your home. But is going solar really possible in the winter months, with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures in the picture?
We get a lot of questions from Long Island homeowners about when to shop for solar, and the answer is yes — you can go solar in the winter!
We’re Prepared to Install Solar Panels in Cold Weather
It’s a common misconception that summer is the best time to have solar contractors work on your home — so much so that it can be hard to schedule solar installation during the summer months. However, summer weather comes with its own challenges. The humidity we experience here on Long Island can make for an almost unbearably hot workday on the roof. Many of our solar technicians would take cold weather over hot and humid weather any day!
We train our technicians to ensure that they can work safely and efficiently in unfavorable winter conditions. We also keep a close eye on weather forecasts so we know ahead of time when weather may have an effect on your project.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until Summer to Start Saving
Another common question we get is, “Do solar panels work year-round?” While solar panels do produce the most energy during the summer (due to longer days of sunlight), they offer impressive energy output in the winter, as well. So even at this time of year when the days are at their shortest, you’ll see significantly lower electricity bills if you have a solar power system installed on your home.
Wondering When to Add Solar? Now’s a Great Time
After 2019, the Solar Federal Tax Credit (which allows you to deduct part of the cost of your solar installation from the amount you owe in taxes) will go down from 30% to 26%. Meanwhile, there are valuable financial benefits you could be enjoying sooner by going solar at this time of year.
If you’re not sure whether now is a good time for you to make the switch to clean solar energy, talk to our team today. We’ll show you what going solar this winter might look like for you and how much money you can expect to save with your solar investment.
