Plano North | July 2022

PEOPLE Gage Mueller Solar energy specialist, ADT Solar BY LAURA ROBB

2022 REAL ESTATE EDITION

Gage Mueller, a solar energy specialist at ADT Solar, has experience in the solar industry as both a customer and a service provider. After installing solar panels on his own house in 2017, Mueller’s interest in solar grew until he decided to pursue a career in the industry in 2020 with SunPro—now known as ADT Solar, a residential and commercial solar panel company. In 2020, ADT Solar installed panels which produced more than 43,600 kilowatts of solar energy in Texas, according to Solar Power World. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Gage Mueller said solar panels can increase a home’s value without increasing property taxes. (George Wiebe/Community Impact Newspaper)

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WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD PEOPLE ASK WHEN CONSIDERING SOLAR? Homeowners should ask: ‘Do I qualify for the tax credit?’ They should call their [certied public accountant], because the solar sales guy will say, ‘The government will give you 26%.’ But it’s not true—you have to qualify. The other question that I tell people to get answered is: How will this aect your homeowner’s insurance? ... Anything attached to the dwelling is covered by homeowner’s insurance. Your premium may go up—but you need to know that ahead of time to

make an informed decision. Once solar is up, there’s nothing you can do. DOES SOLAR AFFECT APPRAIS ALS AND PROPERTY TAXES? Most of the time, solar increases the value of your house—which is good, but you don’t pay a higher property tax. If your house appraises for $200,000 today and you put $20,000 worth of solar on it, then it appraised for $220,000. Your tax liability is still $200,000—because $20,000 is solar renewable energy and qualies for an exemption. You gain the value in the appraisal, but not in property taxes.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the national trade association for the solar industry, Texas was ranked number one in the nation for solar panel use in the rst quarter of 2022. SEIA data predicts Texas will lead the nation in growth in the solar industry over the next ve years.

10,088 jobs in the

of the state’s electricity is solar

3.75%

solar industry

506 solar companies 202 installers and developers

85 manufacturers

219

other

SOURCE: SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

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YOUR SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY Our Installation Associates and Authorized Service Providers are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and success of your installation. For more information on how The Home Depot ® is keeping you safe, visit homedepot.com/hscovidsafety YOUR SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY Our Installation Associates and Authorized Service Providers are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and success of your installation. For more information on how The Home Depot ® is keeping you safe, visit homedepot.com/hscovidsafety

Home Depot local Service Providers are background checked, insured, licensed and/or registered. License or registration numbers held by or on behalf of Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. are available at homedepot.com/licensenumbers or at the Special Services Desk in The Home Depot store. State specific licensing information includes: AK CONE25084; AZ ROC252435, ROC092581; CA 602331; CT HIC.533772; DC 410517000372; DE HM-0000772; FL CRC046858, CGC1514813; HI C-22120; ID RCE-19683; LA 557308, 883162; MD 85434, 42144; MA 112785; MI 2101089942, 2102119069; MN BC147263, BC638192, BC729373; NV 0038686; NJ 13VH09277500; OR 95843; The Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. is a Registered General Contractor in Rhode Island and its Registration Number is 9480; WA HOMED**088RH; and WV WV036104. ©2022 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. All rights reserved.All rights reserved. *Actual production time takes approximately 6-8 weeks. LCL22K_HOFL01 (5/22) Home Depot local Service Providers are background checked, insured, licensed and/or registered. License or registration numbers held by or on behalf of Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. are available at homedepot.com/licensenumbers or at the Special Services Desk in The Home Depot store. State specific licensing information includes: AK CONE25084; AZ ROC252435, ROC092581; CA 602331; CT HIC.533772; DC 410517000372; DE HM-0000772; FL CRC046858, CGC1514813; HI C-22120; ID RCE-19683; LA 557308, 883162; MD 85434, 42144; MA 112785; MI 2101089942, 2102119069; MN BC147263, BC638192, BC729373; NV 0038686; NJ 13VH09277500; OR 95843; The Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. is a Registered General Contractor in Rhode Island and its Registration Number is 9480; WA HOMED**088RH; and WV WV036104. ©2022 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. All rights reserved.All rights reserved. *Actual production time takes approximately 6-8 weeks. LCL22K_HOFL01 (5/22) HDIE20K0022A

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10/9/20 7:49 AM

PLANO NORTH EDITION • JULY 2022