How Solar Helps Keep Your Home Cooler and Energy Bills Lower

Many unsuspecting homeowners assume that solar panels only reduce utility costs by generating usable electricity, but it turns out that renewable energy systems offer numerous advantages, including advanced AC savings. Ready to learn how to lower your energy bills with solar? You’re in the right place! 

How Solar Panels Keep Your Home Cooler

Solar panels create a barrier between your roof and the sun, absorbing UV radiation that would otherwise heat your roof and attic. This creates a cooling effect, reducing overall indoor temperatures. Beyond the superconductor materials in photovoltaic panels, these systems also include glass and aluminum, which reflect sunlight, further reducing heat transfer into your home. Since UV rays can break down roofing materials over time, solar panels serve as a protective layer, bolstering the structural integrity of your home and helping you get the longest possible lifespan out of your roof.

Additionally, studies show that solar panels can help keep homes cooler during hot weather. An older study by the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering found that photovoltaic arrays can reduce roof temperatures by up to 38%. In turn, a cooler attic results in less heat transfer into your living space. More recent data reinforces these findings and shows that the shading effect of solar panels can minimize cooling loads by 290 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, or nearly 5%. 

Reduced Air Conditioning Use and Lower Energy Bills

Scorching summer temperatures put air conditioning units to the test, causing utility costs to soar. As you block excess sun exposure with solar panels, you may encourage greater sustainability and major AC savings. 

Less Heat Means Less AC Usage

Air conditioners are among the most energy-hungry appliances in our homes. According to 2020 data from the US Energy Information Administration, heating and cooling systems demand more electricity than any other system in the average household. Climate change has brought about higher temperatures, putting tremendous pressure on these appliances and straining the pocketbooks of many homeowners. However, solar panels can prevent some of this heat from entering your home, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable environment.

How Solar Offsets Your Energy Consumption

We can break down the tangible benefits of solar energy into three broad categories: direct, indirect, and tertiary savings. These three factors work together to lower your energy bills with solar. 

Direct savings appear in the form of energy created by your solar panels. Your PV array generates electricity that powers your home, reducing dependence on the grid and minimizing utility costs. Secondary benefits include the passive cooling effect that solar panels have on your roof. Finally, net metering programs further lower costs by allowing you to sell excess energy back to your provider. 

The Financial Benefits of Solar Cooling

So, how do solar panels encourage greater AC savings? Let’s explore how solar panels offer whole-home cooling to help you slash utility costs and enjoy a faster return on your investment. 

Cutting Monthly Electricity Bills

With a properly sized PV array, it’s possible to lower or eliminate your energy bills with solar. In fact, you may save up to 100% on utility bills once your system is up and running. While this is partly due to the AC savings generated by solar panels, a renewable energy system can also supply power to all your lights, appliances, and devices. Every kWh of electricity your array creates offsets energy you would otherwise purchase from your utility provider. 

Long-Term ROI of a Solar Investment

Most solar panel arrays pay for themselves within seven to ten years and have lifespans of 25+ years. Once you recoup your initial costs, you’ll enjoy pure, ongoing savings for years to come. Here are some of the financial incentives to look forward to: 

• Reduced utility bills: Monthly savings between 20% and 100%.
• Net metering: Sell excess energy back to your utility provider. 
• State and federal tax credits: Federal rebates up to 30% of the up-front costs of solar, as well as various state-sponsored property and sales tax exemptions. 
• Clean energy grants: State-sponsored rebates and grants for solar energy. 
• Solar renewable energy credits: Sell clean energy certificates to businesses aiming to offset carbon emissions. 

Environmental Advantages of a Cooler, Solar-Powered Home

Cooling your home with a solar panel array can benefit the environment as well as your wallet. 

Sustainability and Energy Independence

Beyond the financial incentives of PV systems, producing your own clean energy helps contribute to a greener future. The dual approach of solar panels on home cooling – reducing baseline temperatures with shade and generating clean energy to run AC systems – can offer homeowners greater control over their own energy consumption and support energy independence. 

Less Energy Consumption Reduces Carbon Emissions

Traditional grid-sourced energy requires massive amounts of fossil fuels, which release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and contribute to rising global temperatures. Fortunately, solar panels can minimize strain on power plants and dependence on fossil fuels while offering substantial AC savings for homeowners. Although some of the materials used in PV systems have an effect on the environment, studies have shown that most solar arrays generate the same amount of energy required for their construction within one to four years. 

Is Solar Right for Your Home?

The benefits of solar energy are hard to deny. As outdoor temperatures increase and fossil fuel prices fluctuate, you can enjoy lower energy bills and bolstered sustainability with solar. AC savings are one of many benefits of solar panels, along with various tax credits, rebates, and enhanced energy independence. 

Before committing to a renewable energy system, consider your home’s suitability for solar. The age of your roof, roofing materials, and your structure’s tilt and orientation will all impact your energy potential. It’s also important to note that solar works better in some locations than others. For instance, an array in Washington state may not offer the same production capacity as a system in sunny Florida. 
If you’re unsure of your home’s compatibility with solar energy, a qualified installation specialist can be an invaluable resource. The experts at Solar Energy World have helped thousands of homeowners embrace solar since 2009. Our team can help you assess your roof, evaluate your household energy consumption, and design the perfect solar panel array to meet your needs before a seamless installation with trusted professionals. Get started today with a free solar estimate!