There are countless reasons why many homeowners are jumping on the bandwagon of finally going solar. Whether your motives are for economic reasons, or to make a positive environmental impact, there are plenty of solar power benefits out there for everyone. Here are just a few of the many advantages of going solar in New Jersey.
Environmental Benefits
There is an abundance of factories in NJ, but this doesn’t exactly help with preventing pollution. If you’re someone who: cares about protecting the planet, wants to help reduce your carbon footprint, would partake in a renewable and sustainable culture, or be an advocate for producing no noise pollution, going solar is the right move for you. Large buildings are the reason for almost 40% of carbon emissions in America. A typical solar panel system will eliminate approximately three tons of carbon emissions per year; this is equivalent to planting over 100 trees each year!
Increases Property Value
Homes with solar energy systems have higher property values than non-solar homes. Because of this, houses with solar panels sell faster. As “going green” becomes more popular in NJ and the U.S. as a whole, appraisers will be taking solar panels into consideration. As homeowners become more educated about our environment and solar panels, the demand for properties with solar installations will grow. The average home value in NJ is $307,500 and increases by 3-4% by installing solar panel systems. Additionally, homes sell 20% faster with solar panels than without.
Helps Contribute to the Economy
It is no secret that the solar energy movement is creating jobs. With that, the solar industry is a widespread industry that provides high-quality jobs across America. As more homes and businesses “go green”, job opportunities are continuing to boom. Solar energy jobs are growing 12 times as fast as the rest of the U.S. economy. As of 2016, there were 6,056 solar jobs in NJ, ranking ninth for the most solar jobs.
Lowers Your Electric Bill
Whether you are a homeowner or a business owner, you know how expensive electric bills can be. They make up a large portion of your monthly expenses. One way to eliminate this unwanted cost is with a solar panel system. While NJ’s average bill is $109, within the last 10 years, national electricity costs have increased at a rate of 2.2% per year. By going solar, your savings will grow every year over a 25+ year lifespan of your solar panel system.
The Top Counties in New Jersey for Solar
Did you know NJ is the 5th top ranked state in the solar industry? Here are the leading three counties that contribute the most to our solar industry:
- Monmouth County: A Board of Chosen Freeholders partnership will save the county 3 million dollars over the course of 15 years and create many new jobs.
- Middlesex County: 1,200 tons of carbon emissions are being eliminated through the installation of 32 acres of solar canopies.
- Burlington County: Tri-military service Joint Base, McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, reduced carbon emissions by 202,793 pounds annually with just two installations.
Because of these top counties that contribute so much to our solar industry, there is a projected growth of 2,017 MW over the next five years.
While the average price for a solar system in NJ is $12,400, there is no need to fret. If you take a step back and realize the benefits of going solar such as lowering or eliminating electric bills, helping the environment, and so on, then implementing a solar system into your home will be a no brainer. Remember, in a 20 year lifespan, you will be saving $24,400 and your investment will be far worth it.
