Here are some of the financial reasons why homeowners and businesses are going solar.
Tax Credit
0
The Federal Income Tax Credit is valued at 30 percent of your total solar system cost. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe. If you can’t use the full value in one year, you can roll over the remainder to next year. You should check with a tax adviser to make sure you can claim the entire value. This incentive reduces from 30 percent to 26 percent in 2020 and 22 percent in 2021.
Own Your Power
0
Net metering is a contract that you sign with your utility that allows you to trade your power with them at retail rates. You get credit on your bill for your excess kilowatt hours (kWh) when your system is producing more than you consume. At night or when your system isn’t producing, you buy power from the utility like you do now. Typically, in New England we produce more than we consume during the summer and build up credits. Then during the less-sunny winters we use the accumulated credits.k
Increased Value
0
Installing a solar energy system can increase a home or commercial building’s value. A recent study shows that solar panels are viewed as upgrades, just like a renovated kitchen or a finished basement…
According to the Department of Energy, people are willing to pay a $15,000 premium for a home with solar.
Low Risk
0
Solar is an investment with very little risk. Markets are very volatile, and putting your money into solar panel can pay dividends better than most stocks.
Rising Electricity Costs
0
Solar is protection against rising energy costs. Historically electricity rates go up by 3 percent each year and utilities are rolling out smart meters to enable Time of Use pricing tiers.
State Incentives
0
State rebates are available in most New England states. The state of Connecticut offers a rebate of over 10% of the cost of the solar system. Commercial and other large systems may receive a 15 year payment based on the amount of solar energy generated.
25 Year Warranty
0
Panel manufacturers’ warranties last 25 years or more, and most panels will perform long after that. That means free electricity for decades.
Low Interest
0
Low-interest loan payments from credit unions and banks for adding solar to homes makes going solar even easier. Commercial, municipal and non-profits can use power purchase agreements (PPAs) to install solar with no up front cost.
Battery Backup
0
Adding a battery backup to your solar system not only increases your resilience and energy savings, it also qualifies for the Federal Income Tax Credit of 30 percent.