Solar Power vs. Grid Power

Author: Lacy Cook — Let’s address the elephant in the room: yes, we are a solar company, and yes, we are biased in favor of solar power. But we have some compelling reasons why. And as more and more of us consider our impact on the planet, it’s important to consider our electricity sources. In this article, we’ll dig into the pros and cons of solar power vs. grid power.

Solar Energy: Pros 

Solar offers homeowners the opportunity to generate their own electricity, without emitting greenhouse gases. The more homes that go solar, the more we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. But going solar isn’t just a noble choice for the environment, but a savvy choice for your finances.  

However you pay for your solar installation, you’ll start saving money each month on your power bills. You’ll be able to get most of your power from your rooftop panels, and pay your utility company less. There are also several financial incentives to go solar — more on those in a minute.

Solar can even increase the value of your home, as more buyers seek out environmentally friendly features. And when you go solar with a local company, you’re supporting clean jobs in your community.

Solar Energy: Cons

As much as we may hate to admit it, solar isn’t perfect. (Gasp!) Solar power depends on the sun, which doesn’t always shine. That means if you ever want to go fully off-grid, you’ll need battery storage. Also, not all roofs are good candidates for solar. If your roof is facing north, or if it’s significantly shaded during most of the day, solar may not make as much sense.

And although solar costs have dropped dramatically in recent years, the upfront cost can be a hurdle. We’re tackling that con, however, through our no-cost solar program. We’re on a mission to make sure cost isn’t a barrier for anyone who wants to go solar in the DMV. Here’s how it works: you agree to host solar on your roof, and we pay for the installation. As the system owner, we receive the financial incentives. You receive clean electricity at a lower rate than what you’d get from Pepco.

Government incentives can also help lower costs, if you’d like to own your system. The 30% federal solar tax credit essentially brings down the price, as do Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), especially if you’re going solar in Washington DC, where one SREC has been going for around $400. Net metering, or the ability to sell excess power your panels generate back to the grid, will help you break even faster, too. Pepco, Dominion, and BGE all offer net metering.

Grid Power: Pros

Grid power, also known as grid electricity, has traditionally powered homes in the DC region. And one advantage is ease of use: you don’t have to do anything but sign up with Pepco, Dominion, or BGE to start receiving electricity. When you move into a new home in the DMV, you typically don’t need to install any equipment to be connected to the grid. And — other than power outages — grid electricity will provide power day and night.

Grid Power: Cons

In a recent bill insert, Pepco detailed their sources for grid power: 14.3% from coal, 43.2% from natural gas, 34.5% from nuclear, 0.3% from oil, 4.2% from wind, and 1.4% from solar. (Check out the insert for other, smaller sources.) That means if you’re getting grid power from Pepco, a bulk of that electricity is coming from polluting sources. Emissions data was also part of the insert, with 704.34 pounds of carbon dioxide emitted per megawatt hour of electricity generated. Also, extracting fossil fuels can damage habitats and pollute water and the air. 

And although grid power is typically reliable, outages happen. Dependence on centralized power plants can make the grid vulnerable to disruptions from natural disasters or technical failures. And grid power isn’t always cheap, with prices fluctuating continually.

How can I go solar?

If you’re convinced solar wins in the solar power vs. grid power battle, and you’d like to reduce your dependence on the grid, we’re here for you. Uprise aims to make the solar process hassle-free, from start to finish. Reach out to us for a personalized design showing how much you can expect to save with solar each month. 

We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, and if you’re curious but still not sure about solar, we’d be more than happy to answer your questions. You can reach us at (202) 750-5718 or schedule a consultation via the form directly below.