Solar and EV Investment
My EV and solar Panels
We bought a Chevy Bolt in the fall of 2021 and love driving it! Not only do we save on gas, but there is very little maintenance on EV's. With our solar panels installed a few weeks later, I was excited to drive a car that was mostly "sun-powered!" The solar panels were a big investment, about $12,800 after tax rebates, but by combining them with an EV, our break even point was about 6-7 years. The solar panels save, on average, about $60 per month. I consider this an investment that will pay a dividend that can only go up (electricity rates won't go down!) for the the next 20 years or more. If you can pay them off before retirement, they are a great investment for your future.
Beyond EV's and solar panels the Inflation Reduction Act offers home owners so many ways to convert your home to a more energy efficient unit, and receive significant tax savings. Everything from weatherization to geo-thermal heating is eligible for tax rebates. Check out this website to learning more.
Combining solar panels on your home with an electric car is a great idea in retirement for a number of reasons. Here are a few key benefits:
Cost Savings: By generating your own electricity with solar panels, you can charge your electric car for free. This can significantly reduce your overall transportation costs, as you no longer have to pay for gasoline or electricity to charge your car. Additionally, if you have excess energy from your solar panels, you can sell it back to the grid or store it in a battery for later use.
Environmental Benefits: Combining solar panels with an electric car is an eco-friendly choice that can reduce your carbon footprint. By using clean energy to power your car, you can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
Energy Independence: By generating your own electricity with solar panels and using it to power your home and car, you can become more energy independent. This means that you are less reliant on the grid and can avoid the fluctuating energy prices that often come with it.
Increased Resale Value: Homes that have solar panels and an electric car charging station are becoming increasingly attractive to homebuyers. By making these upgrades, you can potentially increase the resale value of your home.
Overall, combining solar panels with an electric car is a smart choice that can save you money, benefit the environment, and increase your energy independence.