Are you worried about the continued rise of utility costs this winter? Solar can help with that! The solar industry is rapidly growing as homeowners are ready to break away from the utility and the unpredictable rate hikes soon to come. Not to mention that solar is the cheapest form of energy, but it is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. With all the extreme weather conditions, we can not wait to act; Mother Earth needs us now. 

While going solar in the winter may seem like a crazy idea, it is actually the best time to go solar! By signing a contract in the earliest months of the year, your system will be installed and switched on during the spring and summer months when there is the highest amount of energy-producing sunlight. Our team developed these top 5 reasons why going solar in the winter is the best decision. Keep reading to find out!

1. The net-metering structure is potentially changing. Net metering is the billing system used by utility companies that allows people with solar arrays to bank their credits for any excess electricity they send back to the grid. Right now, as a solar customer, you receive a credit for one kWh on your electric bill for each kWh you send back to the grid, but with the upcoming elections, we may see some policy changes that could change the future of net-metering. Suppose New York decides to change the current net-metering structure, similar to what happened recently in California. In that case, future customers could receive a smaller credit or less value for any excess electricity sent back to the grid, making residential solar less affordable and accessible to homeowners. But there is good news: all current and future customers that go solar before net-metering could potentially go away or change will be grandfathered into the current net-metering arrangement and will always get those credits.
2. The current NYSERDA incentive is depleting fast. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers a $.20/watt incentive expected to run out within the next two months. 
3. You can benefit from 0% down financing. Through GreenSpark’s solar financing program, you can enjoy $0 down with no payments for the first six months after your system is installed. This means receiving a whole summer’s worth of savings without making a single payment!
4. Now, you can swap your utility bill for a stable solar payment. With our current pricing, you can swap your volatile energy bill for a stable solar payment. Instead of giving your money to the utility, make the switch to solar and invest in your home with clean, local, renewable energy. 
5. Protect yourself against unpredictable utility bills. You can expect your utility bill to rise 16-20% in the next three years. Protect yourself from future rate hikes by switching to solar. 

Going solar in the winter allows you to get ahead and start racking up those energy credits at the start of the sunniest months of the year while not paying a single penny! As a Certified B Corp, NYSERDA Quality Installer, and the #1 Fastest Growing Company in the Greater Rochester area, GreenSpark can help jump-start your solar journey! Interested in learning if solar is right for you? Reach out for a free, no-obligation consultation, or take our solar quiz!