Freedom Solar recently conducted a survey of consumer opinions among those who have or are considering installing solar panels in North Carolina. We spoke to over 300 Raleigh-Charlotte homeowners of all ages and incomes. The results were surprising and exciting. Solar may be a better option for locals than people think.
1) Financial Savings is the main attraction, but upfront costs are the greatest concern:
We found that the main reason for people to choose solar is financial savings. According to 88% of homeowners we surveyed, energy savings were the most important factor for them. According to 73% of respondents, the upfront costs were the greatest barrier to solar installations at home.
We’ve been talking about solar costs with homeowners for 15 years. Solar costs have decreased significantly over the past 15 years. Solar is now more affordable for most homeowners thanks to the availability of financing options.
- Freedom Solar customers can expect to save an average of $45,000 over the life of their solar system (energy savings net the cost of the system).
- 80% of our customers finance the system with a monthly payment that is less than their electricity bill.
We’ve developed a calculator powered by Google Maps for those considering making the switch. This calculator will estimate your solar costs and any potential savings based on the roofline of your home. All of this happens before the consultant ever steps foot inside your home.
2) There are new tax incentives to help, but there is little awareness:
Many local and federal incentive programs are in place to encourage more people to switch to solar. The U.S. Government offers a 30% tax incentive for residential and commercial renewable resources after the Inflation Reduction Act was passed in August 2022.
51% were unaware of the “current or future tax benefits derived from North Carolina legislation, or the recently enacted IRA.”
It was even more coincidental that 65% of North Carolinians responded with a dollar amount incentive of approximately $9,999. The average U.S. installation costs $20,000; the federal tax credit will return $6,000 to customers. Additional state and local incentives could also provide savings to help reach the desired range. Freedom Solar’s experts are available to assist you in understanding and reporting your installation so that you can receive the maximum refund.
3) Strong warranty eased early solar adopters and remains a factor that consumers consider when considering the switch.
Raleigh and Charlotte residents were 31% concerned with technical problems or reliability. According to a similar survey by Forbes, between 8% and 12% of Americans are worried about maintenance issues, reliability, or solar repair. These concerns are probably due to recent bad actors in the local solar sector and severe weather compared with the national average.
A good warranty and an emphasis on customer service can help to ease consumers’ fears. The second most important factor, after cost, was the warranty when choosing a solar provider. 69% of respondents considered solar in Raleigh or Charlotte.
The warranty is the most important factor for current solar panel owners in North Carolina. Customer service is the most important factor, even more so than cost. Customers want to be sure that their investment will be protected. A 10-year warranty is also available for the monitoring system. Freedom Solar is your one-stop shop for all service and warranty needs. We will simplify solar ownership for you.
After homeowners switched to solar power, they were no longer concerned about cost.
Cost was the primary concern or barrier to those who were considering solar (84%), but priorities changed once a homeowner wanted a home-based solar installation. (Only 54% of respondents cited cost). This may be due to the fact that there are many financing options available to help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Warranty was the most important factor for solar owners, followed by Brand. The quality of service and the Brand of the solar provider are key factors in ensuring that their systems and home energy requirements continue to be successful.