Additional evidence that solar power does increase the value of ...

It stands to reason that adding an asset which cuts your electricityÂ* bills–solar panels–will bump up a home’s <a href="http://www.mytimberlandshoe.com/designer-handbags-outlet-mulberry-handbags-c-46_66.html"><strong>mulberry handbags </strong></a> value. Now an economic study attachesÂ* numbers to solar panels’ real-estate value. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) recently released an analysisÂ* that found solar panels add between 3 percent and 4 percent to the value of aÂ* home. That result is consistent with a studyÂ* released in April by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory which found thatÂ* solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have a “sizeable effect” on home prices. “Our evidence suggests that similar to other home investments such as a newÂ* kitchen, solar installation bundles both investment value and consumptionÂ* value,” conclude the authors, who are California-based economists. TheÂ* “investment value” increases the sale price of a home and the “consumptionÂ* value” is the benefit of having an environmentally friendly energy source. In neighborhoods that favor green-branded products, such as hybridcars, solar panels add more to a home’s value, theÂ* study said. “Some households may take pride in knowing that they <a href="http://www.mytimberlandshoe.com/timberland-womens-charles-boots-c-4.html"><strong>timberland womens boots </strong></a> are producersÂ* of ‘green’ electricity and ‘warm glow’ may triumph over present discounted valueÂ* calculations in determining a household’s install choice,” the study found. In the San Diego area, the price premium of solar panels equated to 22,554Â* which, when state and federal subsidies are included, is roughly the cost ofÂ* installing the panels. “This comparison suggests that, on average, homeownersÂ* fully recover their costs of installing solar panels upon sale of the property,”Â* according <a href="http://www.mytimberlandshoe.com/specials.html"><strong>timberland shoes</strong></a> to the study. The NBER analysis did seek to factor in the non-tangible benefit of leading aÂ* greener lifestyle from installing solar panels. But it’s worth pointing outÂ* there are societal benefits of a renewable, distributed energy source beyond aÂ* homeowner’s personal satisfaction. Solar panels help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases by lowering theÂ* use coal and natural gas for power generation. Rooftop solar panels also provideÂ* power to the grid during some of the peak demand hours of the day, whichÂ* lightens the load on power plants which are strainingÂ* to meet demand in many parts of the country this summer. Another way to look at the financial benefits is the savings from lowerÂ* electricity bills. This week, Go Solar California released an onlineÂ* calculator to estimate the present value and annual savings of solar panels,Â* separate from changes in home value. These economic studies only considered purchasing solar panels, but leasesÂ* or other financing options can be an attractive route to solar power. BuyingÂ* panels cost roughly 20,000 to 40,000 upfront <a href="http://rooyee.org/view.php?id=26881"><strong>â–·â–·â–·â–·â–· Timberland Men's 6&quot; Premium Scuffproof Boot | Men's Boots</strong></a> depending on the size.Â* Increasingly, solar installers offer financing plans to avoid the upfront cost,Â* while lowering monthly electricity bills. &nbsp;