Solar panels still work in low light and on cloudy days. Germany leads the world in the amount of installed solar but has significantly less sunlight than most of the United States.
The price of solar has been consistently dropping and it can be installed at prices lower than you buy from the electric company. By using solar panels to eliminate or reduce your electric bill, the panels will pay for themselves between 3-4 times over their lifetime.
Solar panels can take a beating from the elements and only need minimal cleaning to maintain efficiency. The Department of Energy estimates only 8-16 hours a year of maintenance.
Solar panel efficiency has improved 4 fold since the 1970s. At their current level, solar panels operate at the same level of efficiency of a typical car engine.
Even if you don't live in a house long enough to gain your investment back through energy purchases, solar panels instantly add value to your home. A system that reduces energy costs by $1,000 a year can add on average $20,000 to the home value.
There is a 30% income tax credit on the total cost of installation nationwide as well as various state and power company incentives. These help reduce installation costs dramatically.
No moving parts make solar panels very durable. All panels are required to endure 90+ mph winds and withstand golf ball sized hail and medium tree limbs.
The majority of systems are tied to the grid, meaning the power company purchases the electricity you produce at the cost they sell it. Effectively this allows you to trade electricity with them and cut your power bill.
While solar can be slightly more involved than the average home improvement project, a competent solar installer will handle the extra paperwork and engineering involved. The average system takes between 1-5 days to install depending on the project size.
Solar panels are mounted onto racking systems that can be incorporated into the roof. This racking system means that panels can be attached to old roofs and moved when maintenance is needed.