Get matched with top solar panel pros in Flat Lick, KY

Solar batteries can be a great investment to help maximize your solar savings and make your system and home more valuable, but they’re most beneficial to customers who don’t have access to net metering. If your state or energy provider doesn’t provide net metering, batteries can be a great way to offset consumption even when your panels aren’t producing power. They also come with the added benefit of providing electricity through blackouts, so they’re valuable in areas prone to severe weather that could cause frequent blackouts. Your installer can help you decide if batteries are worthwhile.

Insurance companies aren’t against solar panels, but they may have concerns about the risks and costs of insuring solar. The type of policy, where you live, and the insurance company itself matter. Extreme weather can damage solar panels, and faulty installation or electrical malfunctions pose a fire risk—this, in turn, can increase insurance company liability and payouts. However, you’re likely to keep coverage as long as you have a pro install the solar system, keep it maintained, can pass a solar panel inspection, and update your homeowners policy to include solar.

Although solar panels harness the sun's power, they come at an environmental cost. The manufacturing process requires large amounts of water and involves hazardous materials like cadmium, silicon, and gallium arsenide. These materials don’t pose safety hazards while the panels are in use but can pose a problem when left in landfills. Over time, hazardous materials can leach into the environment. This is why recycling solar panels whenever possible is better than taking them to landfills.

The actual time it takes to construct the solar farm is relatively short, taking between 2 and 4 months on average. That timeline is dependent on site conditions, crew size, and the overall size of the solar farm.

However, the time it takes to get the ball rolling is significantly longer, ranging from 3 to 5 years. With a project of this scale, you’ll need to obtain all of the proper permits and approvals to start breaking ground, and depending on your location, that could be an extended process.