Zaniroli Solar Advantage Blog

Often I'll get the challenge question from homeowner's considering a new solar installation, "Well, what happens if we decide to sell our home before we paid off the purchase of our panels?" It's a fair question, certainly, but not something that one need worry much about. The reason not to worry lies within the facts of why it is so important to go solar today and the nature of home prices in general. What, me worry? Yes, don't worry so much about the full price of the system. Instead, evaluate if it makes sense to replace your monthly utility bill now and if that is saving you money, it's already a great choice, and the decision is fairly straightforward from there. Here are truths we can agree upon when considering solar. One: prices for electricity are going to continue to climb. The California Public Utility Commission published a paper in May of 2021 (Utility Costs and Affordability of the Grid of the Future; link to original here or click here to see it on our resources page) referencing an average cost increase of electricity by as much as 37% over the next decade by PG&E, some no doubt due to inflation. The advantage mathematically in investing in solar now is huge because you are locking in rates at today's market prices. This means you get to fight inflation and utility rate increases assuming your solar system design is put in place properly to offset your usage. Two: prices for natural gas are going to continue to climb. Why would I need to consider natural gas prices in considering my solar system? Because, in the same paper mentioned above, PG&E is forecast to have an increase of a whopping 78% in your gas bill. Imagine switching out your gas appliances to electricity. Okay, that may not be doable for everyone, but it should be considered. Electric only appliances are available to replace most gas appliances in the home. Check out this article for an example of a San Jose homeowner that did end up replacing all gas appliances in home. And what about automotive gas? At the writing of this article, gas prices at the pump are now at or above $6 a gallon in the Sacramento regions. Will this continue to rise? Very possibly. Filling up the tank for a 14 gallon average tank is now $84. The need for an electric vehicle has become a very big concern and it is quite possible to convert your monthly gas payments into payments for an all electric vehicle. Three: homes with solar systems typically sell for more According to an article from electrek.co , average home selling prices for homes with conventional utilities vs those homes categorized as "green" homes found green homes selling for 8% to as much as 149% more! And with an average solar system paying for itself within the first 7 years, it is safe to say that even if you plan on being in your home for a short time, you are not facing out of pocket expenses for the solar you installed. Four: there are options to consider if selling you home with a solar system Besides all of the benefits stated above, there are also other options which may be available to you such as transferring the remaining contract of the solar system to the new owners. Always make sure to consult with your solar vendor on what your contract would allow you to do. If you had decided on a solar lease instead of having purchased a system, you would either pay off the lease as part of the sale of the home or transfer it to the new owners. How Zaniroli Solar Advantage Helps You Navigate Your Choices We believe in upfront and honest communications regarding the best interest for those considering a solar system for their home. We like to do business face to face, present all the calculations, and then let a decision be made with as much time as needed for evaluation of the value. No doubt, a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow, so keep in mind, the economic welfare of combating the current surge in utility bills is something everyone should be evaluating. Are you ready to get started to see how much you can save? Click here to request a quote.