5 Reasons Home Solar and Battery Storage Is a No Brainer

Why home solar is an excellent choice: Five benefits of solar panels and home battery storage

1. Gives you control over your electricity

Home solar panels and battery storage solutions can offer freedom from utility companies with predictable electric bills. Installing a rooftop solar system with battery storage helps you avoid peak electricity rates and provides reliable backup power when the grid goes down. 

Electricity costs across the country have risen by 15% over the past ten years—a trend that’s likely to continue.¹ Solar service agreements can offer low and predictable rates that are typically less expensive than your electric company’s rates, so you can expect, on average, to pay less for power when you go solar.

In some areas, solar-powered batteries can also buffer you from peak electric rates or Time-of-Use (TOU) rates. These rates are set by your local electric company and vary by time of day. Electricity is more expensive during peak demand and less costly during low demand periods. With a rechargeable home solar and battery system, you can avoid the most expensive rates under a TOU rate structure while further optimizing your energy savings.

A solar-powered home battery will also give you freedom from the next blackout. The United States has the highest number of power-outage minutes of any developed nation, which will only increase in the face of extreme weather events and an aging power grid. Sunrun’s home battery systems replenish with solar power and removes the inconvenience, uncertainty, and expense of refueling a gas or diesel-powered generator.

2. Provides clean, renewable energy

Home solar is a clean, emissions-free, and renewable energy source. Unlike fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, it doesn’t release harmful pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions—like carbon dioxide—into the air and water supply.² 

By decreasing air pollution, solar can prevent $167 billion in health and environmental damages and save more than 25,000 lives.³ In New York, a household that switches to renewable sources like solar panels can eliminate the equivalent of burning over 5,000 pounds of coal and the resulting carbon emissions.⁴

Home solar’s potential is immense. If we could capture all the solar energy on the planet for just one hour, we could power the whole world for an entire year.⁵ When you reduce your carbon footprint, you’ll help to eliminate harmful emissions from burning fossil fuels. Renewable energy technologies are the key to a cleaner and brighter future for all.  

3. Increases home value 

Another advantage of installing solar panels and batteries is the increase in home value. Across the U.S., solar panels raise a home’s value by 4.1% on average. That means a home valued at $500,000 could get a $20,500 increase.⁶

Specific numbers vary between each installation and property, yet recent studies show an average increase in resale value between $4,020 and $5,911 for each kilowatt of solar panels installed.⁷

The price of an average rooftop solar installation and battery is generally recouped in the home’s sale price. Plus, households that purchase solar are rewarded with lower energy bills that can cover the system’s costs multiple times over the life of its warranty.

The time that a solar-powered home is on the market often varies by region of the country. A solar energy installation will help sell your home 20% faster than residences without solar panels.⁸

The numbers say it all: installing home solar panels is a sound investment. Whether you’re upgrading your home for a future sale or making it your forever home, property values typically increase significantly.

*These findings are based on home solar systems purchased by the household. 

4. Qualifies for tax breaks and cash incentives 

Many people choose to get solar panels and batteries through third-party ownership, allowing them all the benefits of solar systems for a low monthly rate. However, others prefer to buy their solar power systems outright. The average cost of solar panels is about $16,200–$21,420.⁹ Based on where you live, you can cover a substantial portion of the cost of your solar PV system and may even pay it back in a fairly short amount of time thanks to the federal solar tax credit, local rebates, net metering, and more. 

5. Costs have fallen

The cost of home solar systems has dropped dramatically in recent years, falling more than 70% in just the last decade.¹⁵ Similarly, the cost of home solar batteries has fallen substantially.¹⁶

Despite falling costs, out-of-pocket expenses can add up. That’s why Sunrun offers the Sunrun subscription plan to make renewable energy accessible and affordable to all, with a guarantee that covers you for 25 years. There’s no question that clean energy sources like home solar energy systems are what we need to keep the air clean, enjoy reliable power, and protect our communities. 

Lease a solar energy system for as little as $0 down. Learn more. 

Enjoy the advantages of solar energy with Sunrun

Sunrun will help you with everything from designing a custom solar panel system for your home and installing this system to monitoring and maintenance. Sunrun only partners with the most experienced solar installers in your area, so you can rest assured your solar installation is in good hands.

Get a free quote today

See why Americans across the country enjoy the advantages of home solar with Sunrun, and get a free quote today. You’ll be connected with one of our expert Solar Advisors, who will help you every step of the way.