As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to go solar. There are many reasons to convert your home to solar energy, such as: 

• Reducing your monthly electric bill
• Avoiding rising energy costs
• Increasing your home’s value
• Benefitting the environment by reducing your environmental impact

And thanks to the power of solar group purchasing programs it can be easier and less expensive for homeowners to make the switch. These programs offer free assessments and access to qualified solar professionals that take the guesswork out of going solar.

How Solar Energy Works

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Solar Energy 101," the sun generates more energy in just an hour and a half than the entire world consumes in one year. Solar panels can absorb and harness the sun’s energy and use it to generate electricity. One of the most common ways to harness solar energy is with photovoltaic (PV) devices, or cells, which can produce 1 to 2 watts of power. These PV cells are combined to create solar panels, which can vary in size and structure to support different electricity needs. Solar panels absorb photons from the sun, which creates an electric field that allows energy to flow. 

Your average residential solar panel with 60 solar cells can produce 200 to 400 watts of electricity. If your panels get five hours of direct sunlight per day, they generate 1,000 to 2,000 watts per day. That’s more than enough energy to power your refrigerator for a full day (1,200 watts per day) or to power a desktop computer for 10 hours (200 watts per hour)! 

Solar panels work throughout all four seasons, no matter where you live—which means they can withstand rain, snow, or cloudy weather. For those who opt into solar-plus-storage solutions, excess energy produced during peak sunlight hours can be used on overcast days.

The Benefits of Solar
While the upfront cost of installing solar panels can range from $8,000 to $30,000, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Converting your home to solar energy can reduce or even eliminate your monthly energy bills, and the extra sunlight your solar panels capture during the day can be added as credits on your bill. By taking advantage of available federal tax incentives, solar can pay for itself in 10 – 15 years. This is a great return on investment, considering that solar panels can last for 30 years, with some systems continuing to produce power even longer. 

If you choose to sell your home, solar panels can also increase its resale value. Buyers are willing to pay more for homes with upgrades, and that includes solar systems!

Environmental Benefits

Installing solar panels also has environmental benefits. By using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, you can help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Opting to install an energy storage system with your solar panels can also help you become less reliant on the grid, giving you added protection during outages and extreme weather. 

How to Install Solar Energy in Your Home
The first step to going solar is assessing whether your home is a good candidate.

You can see whether your home is a good candidate for solar panels by conducting a home energy assessment or by looking up your address on the Northern Virginia Solar Map or the PVWatts Calculator (nrel.gov). Fairfax County’s resources can help you find out how to get a residential solar permit and learn about the inspection process. 

Once you’ve decided that solar is a good option for your home, you can get in touch with a contractor by using the county’s resources for hiring contractors. Installation can often take anywhere from three to five days.

Two solar group purchasing programs operating in our region — Solarize VA and Capital Area Solar Switch – can make going solar as easy and cost-effective as possible by offering:

• A free assessment to find out whether your home is a good candidate for solar installation
• Bulk discounts on solar systems, ranging from 10 to 15 percent off
• Access to a qualified solar installer
• Discounted opportunities to bundle your solar system with electric vehicle charging stations and solar battery storage

Fairfax County and the federal government also offer other resources and benefits for homeowners looking to go solar, such as waived permit fees, tax exemptions on solar equipment, and federal solar tax credits. 

Learn More

To learn more, visit our Going Solar in Fairfax County page. and the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar. And watch our videos to hear Fairfax County residents talk about their experience with switching to solar.