You can expect to seriously reduce your electric bills when you install a solar panel system. Solar panels generate free, renewable energy throughout their 25 to 30-year lifespan, meaning every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar you use to power your home is one less unit you purchase from the utility. You’ll likely still rely on utility-produced electricity at times, but far less than you would without a solar panel system.

The energy independence you gain by going solar insulates you from tumultuous electricity costs: Over the past decade, electricity prices have increased 2.8% annually on average! Fossil fuels are still the primary source of utility power throughout the country. As long as that’s the case, electricity prices will remain volatile due to their dependence on foreign policy and other unpredictable market factors. By going solar and reducing your utility demand, you can shield yourself from rising energy costs.