Going solar is now more affordable than ever. But you're probably wondering, what's in it for me?

Solar panels can be viewed as an investment. They are one of the ways to invest, with returns rivaling those of more traditional investments like stocks and bonds (depending on your investment activities). Thanks to substantial electricity bill savings, the average American homeowner can allocate their savings to paying off their solar loan faster.

Go Solar and make your monthly bills predictable. The long-term trend for electricity prices is upwards depending on your service area. The national escalation rate is currently 4 percent. Producing your own solar energy can possibly take away the need for most utility power, as well as the anxiety associated with fluctuating energy prices. Most solar financing options require no money down, which is why we see solar becoming mainstream for homeowners. As an added benefit, your monthly energy costs will no longer fluctuate throughout the year. They will be locked into your new and lower solar payment. Click below to read more about increasing electricity costs, and decreasing solar costs. Is it worth going solar? Read more here.

Is my home worth more with solar energy? – (click to read from costofsolar.com)

How to cut costs and save on taxes by converting to solar energy (click to read from BankRate.com)

Multiple studies have shown that homes with solar panel systems are valued and sold at prices above similar homes in their area.

Early studies focused on established solar markets such as California found that home values increase by four percent or more when homes are equipped with solar panels. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a research laboratory affiliated with the Department of Energy, continues to expand on that research as solar grows across the U.S.

See more studies on solar increasing property value:

New York Times: Appraising solar energy’s value: Solar panels and home values
NET.com: ECON 101: Solar panels increase home values

Check out the video explaining what the study found!

Solar is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Buildings are responsible for 38 percent of all carbon emissions in the United States and going solar can significantly decrease that number. A typical solar panel system will eliminate three to four tons of carbon emissions each year. This is the equivlant of planting 100 trees.