With energy costs rapidly rising across the country, many have turned to solar panels as a way not only to save money but also to move to a more environmentally friendly source of energy consumption. In 2022, consumers paid a whopping 14.3% more for energy than they did the year prior. This massive price hike has prompted consumers to seek options to lower their out-of-pocket costs amid a rapidly rising cost of living across the board.
Empower Energy Solutions has emerged as a company that not only specializes in solar energy options but has perfected oversight of every aspect of the solar-panel permit and installation process. “I sympathize with the average homeowner,” says Empower Energy’s owner and operator Asim Hafeez. “They are stuck with rising electric bills — some have seen them as high as $800-1000. If people can save money and use it for their everyday lives, that is a huge win.”
Hafeez has set out to create not only a business but a service that brings some good to the world through money savings and excellent service.
An investment to count on
Record price hikes are becoming a standard, especially following a post-pandemic energy-use rebound. Solar is increasing in popularity primarily due to the cost savings that can come with installing a solar power system.
However, solar can also be viewed as an investment. The majority of solar panels purchased manage to pay for themselves within eight years or less, whereas the average lifespan of Empower Energy’s solar panels is 25 years, opening up years of savings and freed-up funds for owners. Empower Energy uses Triple Black Tier 1 panels — the best available on the market. Their systems also come with a 25-year warranty, ensuring long-term savings potential for users.
Solar panels greatly reduce (if not completely eliminate) the need for traditional utility bills from energy companies while still maintaining all of the energy needs of the household. Many people take advantage of Empower Energy’s $0 down options and financing, making the out-of-pocket costs of solar another perk. “People can begin to see much lower electricity bills in year one from the power generated by their new solar panels,” explains Hafeez.
From an investment perspective, solar panels often increase a house’s value and equity over time. A study conducted by the US Department of Energy Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) found that homebuyers are willing to pay upwards of $15,000 more for a home that has solar panels. Another study showed that for every dollar of reduction solar panel owners see on their utility bill, $20 is added to their home’s value.
There are a number of ways customers can cover the cost of solar panels, and financing options can be very affordable and accessible, depending on the size of the solar panel array. “On the low end, these monthly payments could be $50; on average, I’d estimate $130,” Hafeez explains. “The net savings are big because they avoid yearly increases from their utility company and lock in the fixed monthly payment for solar financing. This allows customers to avoid utility companies’ yearly price increases driven by inflation and increased grid upkeep costs.”
A customer-centric experience
Empower Energy has done its due diligence, partnering with installers and financiers that have allowed them to give what they consider a “Best in Each Category” experience to their customers. The experience offered by the company is customer-centric, from drafting the solar design to pulling permits throughout the installation. Empower Energy is quality-committed and service-focused through every step of the process.
Another component of the customer-centered experience — and Empower Energy’s desire to do good in the world — comes from the environmental impact of solar panels. Solar panels generate energy from a renewable resource — the sun — and the environmental impact of this cannot be overstated. Per Empower Energy’s own research, their average residential solar panel system saves 114,870 pounds of coal from being burned over the course of its lifetime, preventing 104 metric tons of CO2 emissions from being released into the atmosphere as a result.
Empower Energy even provides resources where one can estimate the environmental impact the installation of their solar panels is likely to have. Consumers are beginning to care deeply about the environmental impact their decisions have, and are more likely to gravitate towards companies and services that focus on sustainability. Solar panels can allow consumers to have a significant impact on the environment, all while they are saving money.
As prices continue to rise and people become more aware of their personal impacts on the environment, solar panels will continue to grow in popularity. Empower Energy hopes to carve out a niche as the go-to solar provider with a mission to do good for customers and the world as a whole.
“Our vision is to help create a community of people and businesses aligned with our mission,” says Hafeez. “We want to help shape a future where the primary objective of business is to be a source for good. Are we naive enough to think that will happen overnight? No. But are we going to do our part to nudge the needle in that direction? Absolutely.”
