San Antonio Solar

If you're like most homeowners in the San Antonio area, you've probably found yourself considering solar energy at some point the past few years. Many residents in town have already moved to solar for their home's energy, and after the events of SNOVID this year, there are even more who are making the move and looking into solar storage as an additional option. If you’re thinking of going solar in San Antonio, this is one of the best home upgrades. The city enjoys a lot of sunshine throughout the year, making it a perfect place to harness solar energy. What’s more, the cost of solar panels and hardware continues to fall with more favorable renewable energy policies. On top of that, CPS Energy also has multiple solar energy incentives, which makes solar energy installation a smart investment. With a solar panel system, you’ll save money on the biggest item in your home maintenance. What’s more, solar energy boosts your property’s value and helps cut harmful emissions. There's also a statewide property tax exemption, so you won't be charged extra for your home's taxes after installing solar panels. This is a long-term investment that keeps on paying back. But how do you get started? Many property owners miss out on the incredible benefits of solar energy because they don’t have the right information. In this post, find out some simple steps to follow to go solar in San Antonio, TX. 1. Do Your Research Start with dedicated research to understand the potential of solar in San Antonio, TX the availability of solar installers, and the most reputable installation companies. Create a shortlist of the best solar companies by reading reviews and testimonials and even seeking referrals [...]

If you’re a homeowner who’s looked into San Antonio solar panels as a means to slash utility bills, you’ve probably heard a pitch similar to this: “With leasing or a power purchase agreement (PPA), you don’t need to bother with purchase, installation costs, or even maintenance!” This pitch can sound quite appealing, but only highlights one option and doesn’t contrast owning vs. leasing solar panels. Leasing can save you upfront costs, but there are ways of owning solar panels that don’t drain your bank account. Leasing vs. Owning Solar Panels: Benefits of Owning Financing Options It’s a big decision when choosing between leasing and owning, but considering the long-term investment is key. Solar panel ownership can be very rewarding. There are quite a few ways to finance your solar panel system. Texas, and quite a few other states, offer financial incentives for renewable energy ownership. The most convenient way to own solar panels is to work with your solar panel installer or contractor, but you can also finance with banks and lenders easily. Financial Benefits Owning your solar panels lets you maximize your long-term financial benefits. You can drastically reduce the total cost of your solar panel system with cash rebates and state and federal policies. Meanwhile, PPA and leasing disqualify you from these programs. For example, the Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) program is based on purchasing your solar panels. Solar ownership is a great way to increase your property value, while leased panels can actually discourage potential buyers because they usually would have to assume the lease themselves if not bought off. In this way, leased panels aren’t considered an asset when you’re selling your property. Solar panel systems that are purchased can [...]

It seems like each year, you see more and more solar panels pop up around your neighborhood. It seems like everyone is installing solar panels in San Antonio. Soon enough, the whole block will be full of roof-mounted photovoltaic panels! Is it time to consider making the switch in your home? Before you decide to install solar panels, it’s important to assess the solar potential of your area. Is your house suitable for this energy production system? We’ve put together 7 things you should consider in advance:   The Condition of Your Roof A roof that’s in rough shape is a poor candidate for solar panels. Watch for any signs your roof is damaged, including leaks or broken shingles. These issues need to be repaired before you can install panels. Consider the age of your roof before installing solar panels—if it’s due for a replacement, now is the time.    Location Matters Did you know that there is an ideal location for solar panels? It’s a place that’s clear of trees and facing south. Even the angle the panels are tilted affects their energy production.  To optimize your panels, you may need to remove any trees in the way. This will prevent your solar panels from being in the shade.   Estimate Your Energy Usage The size of the solar array you require is entirely dependent on your energy needs. To get an idea of what you’ll require, calculate how much energy your household uses in a year. Next, contact an experienced solar installation company to determine how many panels you’ll need to generate that amount of electricity.    Off-Grid or Grid-Tied Solar? There’s another important thing to consider before going ahead with your installation: [...]

You would think that getting a solar panel system would be a simple feat considering the many San Antonio solar panel companies available. However, many installers that work for some of these companies have little field experience resulting in shoddy work and inefficient panels. Did you know that an alarming number of solar panel contractors go out of business within a decade or less? If you’re unsure about your contractor or previous work done on your solar panel system, getting a home solar panel inspection done by a reputable company may be in your best interest.  Getting Your System Inspected  It may seem obvious to get a home solar panel inspection if your system is having an issue, but inspections are also commonly done when a home is bought/sold or if insurance inspection is required. It’s also possible that a homeowner may request an inspection if the previous solar panel installer goes out of business (which, as we covered earlier, happens more than you think). If you find yourself in any of these situations, save yourself some trouble and pick a highly qualified and experienced technician to inspect your home!  Inspections By American Sentry Solar  It’s possible to run into system failure issues in the future if your solar contractor isn’t using the proper techniques and practices. Everything should be carefully installed and checked in great detail. From the correct solar arrangement on the roof to ensuring the wiring and connections are tightly sealed, having a skilled technician that knows all the ins and outs will spare you any headaches down the road.  When your solar panel system is installed correctly the first time, you can expect efficiency, smooth operability, and safety (our number one [...]

Cut Expenses & Enjoy a Positive Return on Investment Are you considering a solar panel installation? Thousands of homeowners and businesses in the San Antonio area have made the switch to enjoy the countless benefits offered by solar technology. American Sentry Solar offers professional solar services in San Antonio with the best in panel technology, system installation, and energy efficiency. Please call (800) 823-0555 to learn more about the benefits of solar energy for your  home or business! Benefits of Solar Energy in San Antonio Solar is an investment and offers money-saving benefits and a positive ROI for homes and businesses. You are making the proactive choice to remove yourself from the use of electricity, gas, and petroleum and using the natural energy from the sun to power your home or business. Solar offers benefits that include: Renewable energy Thousands of dollars saved in electricity costs Immediate savings Low maintenance An increase in property value State and federal incentives and rebates Reduced dependence on foreign energy Benefits for the environment Reducing your carbon footprint The diversity is another benefit of solar energy, as it can be used for a wide range of applications. Photovoltaics can be used to generate electricity without access to the energy grid and can be used to generate heat for homes and swimming pools, power EV chargers, and much more. Modern solar technology is being integrated into roofing and building materials. Solar overhead structures can be placed over pools and patios, so you can extend your space and use solar. How Switching to Solar Works Switching to solar in San Antonio is easier than you may think. At American Sentry Solar, we work to make the process as easy and efficient as possible, [...]

Increase Your Home's Resale Value with a San Antonio Solar System The benefits of solar power are numerous, especially in San Antonio where the sun is abundant year round. Installing residential solar panels results in your home using less energy from the utility because you are replacing that energy with solar produced on your rooftop. This saves money on your energy bill and protects our environment by reducing the home’s carbon footprint. All this good stuff has led many San Antonio area home owners to invest in solar for their homes and commercial properties. But, what many people have not yet caught on to is that solar panels also increases the resale value of your home. A recent report from Zillow shows that homes with solar panels are increasing home values on average of 4.1% across the country A multi-institutional study led by the department of energy’s Lawrence-Livermore Labs, in partnership with Sandia National Laboratories, universities, and appraisers found that: “Home buyers consistently have been willing to pay more for homes with host-owned solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems —averaging about $4 per watt of PV installed—across various states, housing and PV markets, and home types.” This equates to a premium of about $15,000 for a typical PV system. The data set used in this study was extensive. The team analyzed almost 22,000 sales of homes, “almost 4,000 of which contained PV systems in eight states from 1999 to 2013—producing the most authoritative estimates at that time of price premiums for U.S. homes with PV systems.” A recent article in Energy Sage made the important distinction that solar panels on a home only translate to increased value if the panels are owned and not leased. Can your property [...]