Massachusetts may seem like an unlikely solar leader, but the Bay State is home to one of the country’s most vigorous solar markets. Vivint Solar alone has helped more than 20,000 families go solar since it entered the Massachusetts market in 2012—more than any other solar installer in the state.

What is it that your neighbors see in solar? Many Vivint Solar customers are saving money on their energy bills and helping the environment by reducing air pollution and using a renewable energy source. In conversations with homeowners around the greater Boston area, however, it’s clear that many have questions.

Question 1: Can I afford to get solar for my home?

With utility rates on the rise and hotter summers driving power bills higher, the right question might be: can you afford not to? There’s been a misconception that going solar is expensive, however, the decline in solar prices over the last decade and the range of financing options have put solar squarely in the financial wheelhouse of most homeowners. Rooftop solar has become much more affordable as the cost of solar panels has come down and you may save money from day one, freeing up extra cash for other household purchases, college savings, paying down credit card debt, or even family vacations.

Question 2: Will it cost me a lot upfront?

Not necessarily. There are three ways to go solar in Massachusetts: using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), leasing your solar panels, or by buying your system. The vast majority of Vivint Solar’s Massachusetts customers choose a PPA. Why? Because you pay nothing up front, Vivint Solar buys the equipment, installs it on your roof and maintains it—you pay for the power generated by the system.

Alternatively, if you have a high tax bill, you may be eligible to cut thousands off your future tax bills by purchasing your home’s solar panels, especially if you install them before the Federal Residential Energy Efficient Property Tax Credit is reduced at the end of 2019. Vivint Solar sells systems at competitive prices and may be able to help you finance up to 100% of the purchase—or you can use your preferred lender.

Question 3: How much will I save?

While rooftop solar cannot typically offset your entire electricity bill, it often decreases the amount you pay each month—even though you’re using the same amount of energy. Vivint Solar customers typically save up to 20 percent on their energy costs because they often end up purchasing less electricity from their utility and paying Vivint Solar less for power. Additionally, Massachusetts supports “net metering,” which allows you to sell excess power you generate back to the grid and receive a credit on your monthly utility bill.

Question 4: Is my roof suitable for solar?

There are two ways to answer this: first, do you get enough sun? Surprisingly, rooftop solar is a viable solution even in overcast climates. An easy way to see how many hours of usable sunlight your roof receives per year is Google’s Project Sunroof, or you can get a consultation from Vivint Solar at no cost. Its team will evaluate your roof size, pitch and direction to make sure solar is a good fit for you—and for most people it is.

Second: is your roof is in good enough condition? If you want to go solar but need an aging roof replaced first, Vivint Solar now offers re-roofing options. Even with the additional expense, you could end up paying less than your utility bill—and you’d have a brand-new roof with a planet-friendly solar system on top.

Question 5: If I move, will it have been a waste to have invested in my home solar system?

Some people think solar panels on your roof makes your home less marketable, but a recent study by Zillow found homes with solar owned by the homeowner actually sell for an average of 4.1% more than homes without it. And if you choose a power purchase agreement (PPA) to go solar, it should not make it any harder to sell. The solar company records a notice in the county property records to disclose the fact that it owns the solar energy system but does not record a lien on your home. When the time comes to sell, the Vivint Solar team can help the transaction go smoothly.

Question 6: Are all solar companies the same?

Definitely not. While there are many good installers out there, few have the combination of industry-leading design tools, commitment to quality and experienced installer crews that Vivint Solar has. In fact, Vivint Solar has created a quality standard that is the benchmark for the industry, one that every solar installation company is held against.

Every Vivint Solar installation undergoes a strict 86-point inspection before it is completed. The highly trained work crews follow a detailed checklist, which covers everything from how the solar panels are mounted and wired to ensuring that your home is left in the same condition it was in before the job started. If an installation doesn’t pass each of these points, it will not move forward to final inspection and interconnection to the utility grid.

Once you’ve answered all the questions, you’ll see that going solar has never been easier—or more economical. Join the thousands of Bay Staters who have picked Vivint Solar as their rooftop solar partner and make your move to go solar today.