The sun is shining and you’re now thinking about installing solar panels… But, will it be worth it still once the cold, gray weather returns? One of the questions we hear most often from homeowners in this region is, “Are solar panels a good investment in areas where it’s only sunny for part of the year?”

The answer is definitely, yes! Here are just a few reasons why solar in the Northeast makes more sense than you think.

1. It adds up. One common mistake people make is to think of their expenses and savings in the short term. For instance, it’s easy to feel disappointed if the sun didn’t shine much in January and your system didn’t make a big dent in your bill that month. But taking a longer-term view will give you a clearer picture of your savings potential. Try looking at your electricity use for the past year. Next, compare that to the annual output of your system. When you have 12 months of data in front of you, it becomes much easier to see the significant difference solar panels can make — and the value they can bring.

2. The energy you produce in the Northeast is more valuable than almost anywhere else. The fact is, utility rates here are among the highest in the nation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration — and that means every watt your system produces is worth a premium, both in savings and in the credits you can earn on your utility bill if your system produces more than you consume.For example, in Louisiana, the average retail price of electricity is 7.65 cents per kilowatt hour. Meanwhile, in New York, it’s nearly double that — 15.28 cents for the same kilowatt hour.Producing your own energy will also protect you from future rate hikes; no matter how high rates climb, you’ll never pay more for that portion of your bill.

3. The periods of peak production and peak energy use coincide. While your solar system will typically have a lower output during the winter months when the sun is lower, your energy needs will also be lower at those times.Household electricity use is typically at its highest during the summer, when hot weather drives homeowners to run the air conditioning. Happily, those sunny days are also prime energy production season. So as your demand rises, so does your supply.

4. Newer technologies can maximize solar energy production — even when it snows. Yes, you read that right. In a recent commercial project, we installed special two-sided solar panels, known as bifacial panels, which are designed to capture both direct and reflected sunlight. A snowy rooftop is a reflective rooftop, so production will be high even in the winter.

5. New York has some of the best solar incentives in the country. Governor Cuomo has made sustainable energy a top policy for New York State — and he’s put his money where his mouth is. With tax credits, government support and progressive new policies, New York is becoming a leader in solar.

So in other words, yes — solar is most definitely a worthwhile investment in the Northeast. Contact us today for a free site analysis at (914) 762-7622, and find out if your home is a good candidate for solar.

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