TAMPA, Fla . - This is the worst day of the month for many consumers. Electricity bill receipt.
"I didn't want to open this thing. I knew it was going to be big," said Danielle Bellinger of Apollo Beach.
But he does something. Bellinger installs solar panels on his new home. This was the behavior in the old house.
While waiting for the new installation, Bellinger received a bill for non-solar energy.
"The electric bill was $400 and I don't want to go through that anymore," Bellinger laughed.
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This year, electricity has become more expensive for consumers. This has left many wondering, "Is solar right for me?"
"I think a lot of customers are struggling with their electric bills right now," said Brett Ames, CEO of SEM Power, an active solar company based in Tampa.
First, a shed can naturally cool your home, but that's not good for solar panels, he said.
"It definitely needs good sun exposure, so that's the number one criteria," Ames said.
The system, on an area of 2,000 square meters, costs about 20,000 dollars. But homeowners are eligible for the federal tax credit, which is now 30%.
It was a big plus for Bellinger.
"How much do you think these solar systems are going to cost? If you can reduce that cost by 30%, now we're talking savings."
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But remember, the 30% savings is a tax credit, not a refund. You are only eligible if you pay income tax, so pensioners may not be eligible.
The next thing to consider is the condition of your roof.
Ames said the panels will last 25 years.
"That's why we don't want to put solar panels on the roof for 10 or 15 years," he said.
Removing the panels and reinstalling them for a new roof will cost thousands of dollars. Under the intense Florida sun, the orientation of your roof doesn't matter, but the size does.
"Large two-story houses are more difficult or challenging because they consume more energy and have less roof space," Ames said.
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Finally, it's important to know that solar panels won't set you back on your bill.
A monthly connection fee can cost around $20, and Florida residents consume a lot of energy, especially in the summer.
"In my previous home, my highest electric bill was probably a hundred dollars a summer with two electric cars," Bellinger said.
That's another hundreds of dollars in savings, he said.
A number that made this decision easier. "With electricity prices on the rise here in Tampa, it's even more obvious that this step is necessary."
