Thinking of going green?

I recently purchased solar panels with a whole-house generator from Freedom Solar (website). The process was easy, simple, quick, and informative. The rep, Roger, sat with my husband and I for hours answering questions. I thought, why not share my experience?
Here are some benefits on why we went solar:

• Going green and lowering your carbon footprint
• Lower and/or no electric bill (we pay a $30 bill a month with Duke for having solar)
• Potentially increase home value
• Tax savings – up to 30% tax credit

There are some cons to solar though. Installation and maintenance costs can be high. I will say, with Freedom Solar the installation costs were included, and my maintenance is included under my 25-year product warranty and 30-year performance warranty. Freedom Solar also offers a 10-year labor warranty from date of installation; only company to do so! Another con is solar only works when the sun is out … we live in the Sunshine State. If any part of the country is solar friendly, it’s Florida!
Another con is the tax breaks may expire or will be expiring … this is true. Roger, from Freedom Solar, and I discussed that certain legislature is being passed next year that may hinder future purchasers from the awesome tax credits available now!

Things you need to consider:

• The cost of the solar power system
  • Our whole system was purchased with a 25-year loan, 0% interest, with no money down

• How much energy it will produce
  • Freedom Solar installs solar panels made in the USA. It comes with an app called Enlighten, where I can see what my panels are producing, how much I’ve consumed, and track my energy efficiency

• What you would otherwise pay for the same amount of energy
  • My electric bills were averaging $350 a month. With rising fuel prices, it’s only going to get higher. My monthly payments are lower than that, with the generator.
• How many years it will take for your upfront investment to pay for itself in saved energy costs
  • Per Roger with Freedom Solar, I will see a return on investment in 11 years. Per Investopedia.com, on average it takes 10-20 years to break even. I had no upfront costs.
• Whether the system will pay for itself in five years
  • Like I mentioned above, we were told 11 years. BUT, with rising costs, that may be sooner!