Learn About Solar Energy

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Switching to solar for your home, business, or other property is a big decision - and you will likely have questions along the way. GLREA is here to help you navigate the process! We have a wide variety of resources explaining the financial, technological, and environmental aspects of going solar, and seek to help ensure that converting to solar energy is the right decision to fit your personal needs. Please reach out if you would like to explore solar for your property - we'll connect you to installers! You can also learn more by reading our Michigan Residential Smart Solar Shopping Guide, or check out the abbreviated version for a quick overview:

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You can also access our Michigan Solar Communities Guidebook. The Guidebook includes information that will help local units of government, organizations, and individuals learn about solar and geothermal renewable energy and be a resource to support the deployment of it. 

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For a list of solar and geothermal contractors go to the GLREA Business Directory. These energy professionals will explain how solar works (or wind and geothermal) and what the process is to install a system. They can also help you get a low-interest loan if need it, to pay for the system.

 

By installing solar panels on your  home, you can guarantee that your electricity is coming from entirely renewable sources, ensuring you pay less per kilowatt hour to power your house. The payback period for solar panels — the time it takes for the amount of money saved on utility bills to equal the upfront cost of your solar system — has dropped to an average of approximately 10 years across the United States. The expected lifespan of a rooftop solar installation is nearing 30 years. That means more than two decades of energy you’re not paying for.

 

Here is an example of the cost breakdown and estimated savings for an average Michigan home: 

 

System Size: 7.04kW (16 panels, each 440 watts)

Annual Production: 9,059kWh

Annual Bill Savings: $1,214

System electrical offset: 74% (Avg. payback period between 9-11 years)

25-Year Electric Bill Savings: $113,288! (Panels include 25-year material warranty & 30-year production warranty & will produce for many years beyond that!)

 

Data from Absolute Solar.

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Contact John Freeman for more information at Jfreeman13@comcast.net or (313) 655-7945.