Whether or not you can power your entire house with solar depends on a few factors: the size of your solar installation (the bigger it is, the more it can power), the amount of sunlight it is exposed to, and the amount of energy your household uses.

The boom in solar energy for homes, offices and industrial uses also means an increase in the creation of jobs all over the world and close to home. In addition to its environmental and energy cost-saving benefits, solar power also brings economic-boosting power on the local, regional and national level.

If you’re interested in home solar installation, you’ll want to first have an audit of your property. You’ll be asked for details about your roof, your garage roof and other available space. You’ll discuss your current energy usage, the age of your shingles and the availability of any incentives, if applicable.

The popularity of solar energy has seen an incredibly steep incline within the past few years.  Innovations in technology, falling hardware prices, and a cultural shift towards a sustainable lifestyle has opened up options for many consumers across the country.

A home solar installation can help you build equity and gain independence from utilities. That’s because you’ll own the solar panels that are installed in your home, either through direct purchase or financing. The value of those panels will be included in all future assessments of your property.

If you pay an electric bill, you might be able to join a community solar garden (CSG). They are a popular way to “rent” available solar energy each month. You become a subscriber to the garden by signing a contract for a specified amount of time. Then credit shows up on your monthly electric bill.

If you’re considering switching energy use to solar power, there are a few great options available. You can select a home solar system, in which solar panels are installed on the roof of your home or ground-mount them somewhere on your property. Or you may be able to choose to subscribe to a community solar garden, which is a collection of solar arrays located in a sunny area in your county or a neighboring county that allows contract-holders to receive utility bill credit for energy generated.

The return on investment on a new solar system will depend on:

• The size of the system and the layout of your site,
• Your current energy consumption and costs,
• And how you decide to finance your solar system.

Home solar typically refers to privately owned and stationed solar panels on your rooftop or hosted on your property. Community solar gardens (CSGs) are a way to “rent” available solar as a member of a community.

State governments are encouraging the installation of renewable solar energy by offering enticing incentives—often working collaboratively to ensure painless installation.