Sunny days are quickly approaching. With the start of summer just around the corner, we’re all looking forward to long days of sunshine and warmer weather. And while you may think about the upcoming season as the lazy days of summer, record numbers of Americans are putting the sun to work by utilizing solar power to save money on energy bills, reduce carbon footprints, and take advantage of available tax rebates.
Why you should say ‘yes’ to solar
You probably already know the environmental benefits of using solar energy and especially how it decreases greenhouse gas emissions, but there are other advantages to making the decision to invest in solar today. The cost of installing solar panels has decreased significantly, mostly due to improvements in the technology. Plus, homeowners can now take advantage of federal tax credits, grants, subsidies, and loan programs, which make solar energy an increasingly affordable and attractive energy source for their home.
Additionally, relying on energy from the sun lets you to cut your electricity costs and potentially avoid paying more during peak demand. Solar energy also provides back-up power during outages.
Solar energy has a lot of pros, but simply installing solar panels on your home is just the first step in effectively harnessing the power of the sun as an energy source. You also need a solar monitoring system to keep an eye on how your panels are working.
What is a solar monitoring system?
Designed to track the output of your solar panels, a solar monitoring system consists of hardware attached to a solar array called an inverter, an internet connection, and an app or software interface with which to track energy efficiency. A functional system then allows you to view:
- Solar energy levels – to ensure the system is working properly and to identify any malfunctions
- Real-time data – to monitor current output
- Historical data – to better understand how panels are working over time
Solar monitoring also allows you to understand your return on investment. Spending money to install solar panels will help you save money on your energy bills eventually, but it can feel like a big investment initially. Calculating its financial performance is key.
Alarm.com for solar monitoring… and more
Whether you’ve just made the decision to install solar panels, or you’re looking for a new monitoring system, it makes sense to combine your solar monitoring with any other smart home services you currently subscribe to. Fortunately, Alarm.com now offers solar monitoring that fully integrates with your other Alarm.com services.
From just one intuitive app on your smartphone, you can see your solar power production each day and compare that to your home's energy usage. Plus, enjoy the many other benefits of the Alarm.com platform, including advanced video monitoring, sensors, smart lights, lock and garage door control, and intelligent thermostat automation.
So let the sunshine in this summer and start saving money, energy, and the earth with solar power and monitoring from Alarm.com!
Important note on Alarm.com's solar monitoring system capabilities:
Currently, the Alarm.com platform is integrated with the two leading solar power inverter manufacturers—Enphase and SolarEdge—which combined, account for more than 90 percent of all solar panels in the U.S. Talk to your Alarm.com service provider about a solar monitoring system today!
Ready to get started with solar?
Whether you’re interested in energy-saving devices or a whole-home system, we’ve got you covered before, during, and after your solar panel installation.
Connect with a local service provider or email SolarProgram@alarm.com to find a reputable solar installer near you.