People decide to buy solar energy systems for a variety of reasons. For example, some individuals buy solar products to preserve the Earth's finite fossil-fuel resources and to reduce air pollution . Others would rather spend their money on an energy-producing improvement to their property than send their money to a utility. Some people like the security of reducing the amount of electricity they buy from their utility, because it makes them less vulnerable to future increases in the price of electricity.

If it's designed correctly, a solar system might be able to provide power during a utility power outage, thereby adding power reliability to your home. Finally, some individuals live in areas where the cost of extending power lines to their home is more expensive than buying a solar energy system.

The energy in sunlight can be used for many purposes, including heating water for a building or swimming pool. Using solar energy also has many environmental and life-cycle economic benefits. While solar energy heating or solar electric products often have higher initial costs than other similar products, in nearly all cases, you will recover your initial costs through substantial fuel savings (as shown in lower utility bills) over the life of the product. Many solar systems last from 15 to 30 years. M any utilities are realizing that reduced utility-generated electricity demand is one of the benefits of PV systems, and some offer incentives to building owners to install PV.