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A Brighter Future for Homeowners Is Coming…
A Brighter Future for Homeowners Is Coming…
In an era where sustainability and energy efficiency are at the forefront of societal concerns, the adoption of solar power for residential properties has emerged as a shining beacon of hope. Renewable energy solutions have begun popping up more than ever across the United States—as of 2024, approximately 4.2 million homes have been outfitted with solar energy. In Chicago and surrounding areas, homeowners are turning to Kapital Electric for home installation, and for good reason. Since 2009, Kapital Electric has served the Chicago area with not only solar panel installations but also EV charger installations, natural gas generator installations, ice-melting equipment installations, and smart home automation system installations.
The Truth About Solar Energy
It’s a common belief that solar panels have a lifespan of only 25 years, but this is an outdated myth—companies like Panasonic ensure their panels remain highly efficient even after that mark, sometimes up to nearly 92 percent!
Another common misconception is that Illinois isn’t a good fit for solar energy. While Illinois might not be known for its scorching sun, its cooler climate actually benefits solar panels, as they operate more efficiently in lower temperatures. More importantly, customized solar systems here often generate far more energy than homes consume, with surplus power either feeding back into the grid or stored in batteries. In fact, investing in solar in Illinois can yield an impressive 16 to 20 percent annual return on your investment.
Benefits of Solar Energy
Homeowners who have yet to transition to renewable energy sources may be curious about the benefits of utilizing solar power. Why should I make the switch?
Solar energy offers numerous benefits for homeowners. Namely, it provides a sustainable source of electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which ultimately lowers carbon emissions and creates a healthier environment. Solar panels can also lower utility bills, allowing significant long-term cost savings for homeowners, increase the property value of your home, and provide energy independence and security.
Solar panels are built to last for decades with little to no maintenance—similarly, Kapital Electric assures homeowners that they use solar panels from the industry’s leading manufacturers, and all modules and flashing come with a 25-year warranty. Even in the harshest of Chicago winters, your solar panels will be secure for years to come.
Cost Effective
Solar energy isn’t just good for the environment—with Kapital Electric, it can also be good for your wallet. Switching to solar energy is incentivized, and Kapital Electric can help you take advantage of available tax credits (like the extended 30 percent federal tax credit until 2032) and programs like Illinois Shines, which pays for up to 60 percent of your solar energy system.
Solar panels help homeowners save money by reducing electricity bills. The exact amount you can save depends on numerous factors, including the angle and size of the roof and the number of direct hours of sunlight the house gets.
Illinois’ solar industry is expecting big changes next year. Currently, the net metering offsets the supply, delivery and taxes. Right now, net metering helps balance the costs of supplying, delivering, and taxing solar power. But starting January 1st, 2025, net metering will only balance out the cost of providing solar power, not the delivery and taxes. To cover those extra costs, batteries will become more important.
Before 2025, batteries were mainly for backup during blackouts, but next year, you’ll need batteries to cover delivery and taxes. During the day, you’ll use solar power; at night, you’ll use the stored energy from the batteries. This way, you’ll rely less on your utility company for energy.
Right now, there’s even more reason to make the switch—ComEd is offering to pay up to $3,750 for EV charging installation and equipment in Energy Star-rated single-family homes and up to $80,000 for the infrastructure in multi-unit buildings. There are also additional incentives for commercial properties and level three superchargers. Not sure if you qualify? Check the Energy Star website for up-to-date information and conditions.
Energy Storage
Kapital Electric also offers the Tesla Powerwall, an energy storage system that can be combined with solar panels or installed into the electrical grid. This technology allows independence from the city’s electrical grid and provides increased peace of mind—no more hunting for flashlights during power outages!
In addition to the Tesla Powerwall, Kapital Electric is one of the largest Elite installers in North America. Panasonic offers a 25-year parts and labor warranty and a nearly 92 percent production guarantee after 25 years—a lifetime system you can rely on.
If you’re searching for ways to lower costs and be more responsible with your carbon footprint, energy systems are a great place to start.
Contact Kapital Electric for your free consultation and make the move to solar energy: kapitalelectric.com.
