Here's Why Compass Solar Is Pensacola's Favorite Solar Panel Installer
Pensacola's Leading Solar Panel Installer
As one of the oldest cities in the U.S., Pensacola has a rich heritage of multiculturalism and diversity. Before it became the property of the United States, the area now known as Pensacola was owned by the English, the French, and the Spanish at various points. Residents don’t just love Pensacola for its history, however. They also love it for the year-round sunshine, the balmy temperatures, and the beautiful beaches. With such an incredible climate, it’s no surprise that more Pensacola businesses, landlords, and homeowners are turning to solar energy.
By trusting our team at Compass Solar to install your solar panels, you can save a boatload on your electricity bill every month and reduce air pollution too. Even better, though, is that the federal government grants some incredible tax incentives to replace your existing energy sources with solar energy today. As Pensacola’s #1 solar installer, we’re more than knowledgeable enough to review all of these incentives with you and help you maximize your savings.


The Budget-Friendly Benefits Of Switching To Solar
In addition to saving money through federal tax credits for solar energy, you can also take advantage of Florida’s property tax exemption for solar panels. As if that weren’t enough, several Pensacola utility companies offer buyback programs for extra electricity that you’re storing in your panels but not using. This arrangement is known as “net metering”, and it’s become incredibly popular in the last few years.
If the property tax exemption, the federal tax credits, and the benefits of net metering aren’t enough to convince you that it’s worth making the switch, then you should know that the Florida government has also agreed to waive the sales tax for any new solar panel you purchase.
In summary, governments and utility companies are literally throwing money at you to install new solar panels here in Pensacola.
Understanding The Basics Of Solar Power
Even though there are several types of solar power systems and panels on the market today, they all rely on a physical phenomenon known as the “photovoltaic effect”. Simply put, the photovoltaic effect allows certain materials to convert light from the sun into electricity on the ground.
In a typical solar energy system, the material that converts sunlight into electricity is organized into regular blocks called “solar cells”. A collection of these solar cells is known as a “solar panel”. Solar cells are usually composed of one or more of the following materials:
- Silicon
- Gallium
- Arsenide
- Cadmium
- Copper
As sunlight hits the solar cells, it is converted into direct current (DC). Our modern power grid, however, runs on alternating current (AC). Thus, all of the electricity created by the panels must be converted into AC before it can power your home. Converting the electricity in your system from DC to AC is the job of the “inverter”. Typically, the inverter sits away from the roof in a cool area that’s out of direct sunlight. Since getting the inverter wet can cause major problems, you’ll also want to make sure that you have your inverter installed in a dry place that’s not in danger of flooding.

Taking Advantage Of Federal Tax Credits For Installing Solar Panels In Your Pensacola Home or Business
For roughly the last two decades, the United States government has been making a major push to modernize our country’s power grid and energy sources. As part of this push, the government has introduced some very attractive tax incentives to help get people interested in using solar power. Currently, the federal government offers a tax credit for 26% of a new solar system’s total cost. It’s important to hurry up if you want to take advantage of this, however, because the 26% tax credit is only available through the end of 2020. This federal tax credit reduces to 22% for the tax year 2021, and it drops to 10% for 2022 and beyond.
Fortunately, you can roll these tax credits over if your total tax liability is less than the amount that you are eligible to deduct. Thus, you can think of this incentive system as a free discount on solar panels courtesy of the federal government.
Save Even More On Solar With Pensacola's Property Tax Exemptions
As a Pensacola resident, you are also eligible to claim a 100% property tax exemption for any residential solar panels that you have installed. If you are installing solar panels on a commercial property that you own, then you are eligible for an 80% property tax exemption. Either way, it’s a pretty good deal. Demand for solar panels is increasing every year, so you get the benefit of increasing the value of your property without being taxed for the upgrade.
Contact us here at Compass Solar Energy to learn about how to install solar panels at your home. By hiring a reputable solar company like us, you can rest assured that you get a quality system that you can count on for years.
Florida Solar Panels Are Also Exempt From Sales Tax
On top of the savings that come with federal tax credits and property tax exemptions, you pay zero sales tax on any new solar system. We like to call this going “saving green by going green”. Without the exemption, the sales tax on a residential or commercial solar system in Pensacola would cost you anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
The Advantages Of Net Metering With Solar Energy
Since solar panels are so efficient at converting sunlight into electrical power, you often end up with an energy surplus in your system. Utility companies, on the other hand, are always worried about running out of energy for their customers. To solve this problem, many power companies in Pensacola have introduced agreements to buy back extra energy from you and reduce your power bill with account credits. In the best of cases, you can actually end up with free electricity for your home.
About Compass Solar
At Compass Solar Energy, we have been proudly serving Pensacola’s residents and businesses since 1998. With more than four decades of collective experience, our in-house engineering team has the skills to design and install cutting-edge photovoltaic systems. We specialize in ground-mounted systems, traditional roof panels, and even overhead solar canopies. No matter what kind of property you currently own, we’re confident that we can help you go solar ASAP.
To learn more about our installation services, call Compass Solar Energy today at (866)-439-0035.