Finally the day has come when it is cost-effective to incorporate residential solar power for your energy needs. The sun is free, but for many years the cost of the materials to produce energy from the sun far exceeded the cost of petroleum energy. Now that is all changing and the world is realizing what peak oil means to their pocket books and they are looking for alternatives to keep their lives from returning to the 19th century.
At this time in the United States, 85 percent of our energy needs are supplied by oil, gas and coal. Only four percent is supplied by solar energy. This is bound to change dramatically in the next decade as we are weaned off these non-renewable sources.
Currently, a homeowner can expect have their residential solar power system to pay for itself from anywhere between five to 15 years depending on the rebates and tax incentives it their area.
There are many solar loans available to home owners as well. The technology has made great strides since it was first invented. People have so many choices to fit their needs, such as solar shingles, which are very cutting-edge and address problems with installation. It’s a great time to look into residential solar energy as there are many venders who hold your hand through the whole educational and installation process. The sun could potentially supply 10,000 times our energy needs. Before you decide on a project, check the numerous residential solar incentives currently being offered at the Federal, State and local level. Below is a current list.
Articles & News:
- Solar Panel Installation: What to Expect
- Solar Workshop in Tennessee for Homeowners
- How to Choose an Energy Efficient Water Heater
- Classes to Teach Solar Energy
- Michigan Communities Embrace Solar Energy
- Free Solar Power for Your Laptop
- Many are Rethinking Solar Panels as Costs Come Down
- Alternative Energy Innovations Continue to Dazzle
- Texas Needs More Solar Homes Says Study
Related Incentives & Programs:
- AZ – Non Residential Solar and Wind Corporate Tax Credit
- AZ – Non-Residential Solar & Wind Tax Credit (Personal)
- AZ – Residential Solar and Wind Energy Systems Tax Credit
- AZ – Solar and Wind Equipment Sales Tax Exemption
- AZ – TEP – Renewable Energy Credit Purchase Program
- CA – Alameda Municipal Power – Solar Photovoltaics Rebate Program
- CA – Anaheim Public Utilities – Green Building and New Construction Rebate Program
- CA – Anaheim Public Utilities – PV Buydown Program
- CA – Anaheim Public Utilities – Residential Home Efficiency Rebate Program
- CA – Burbank Water & Power – Residential & Commercial Solar Support Program
- CA – Burbank Water & Power – Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
- CA – LADWP – Solar Incentive Program
- CA – Pasadena Water and Power – Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
- CA – Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems
- CA – Redding Electric – Earth Advantage Rebate Program
- CA – Riverside Public Utilities – Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
- CA – San Francisco – Solar Energy Incentive Program
- CO – Fort Collins Utilities – ZILCH (Zero Interest Loans for Conservation Help) Program
- CO – Fort Collins Utilities Residential and Small Commercial Appliance Utility Rebate Program
- CO – La Plata Electric Association Energy Efficient Equipment Utility Rebate Program
- CT – Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) Residential Solar Photovoltaic State Rebate Program
- CT – Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
- DE – Technology and Demonstration Grants
- FL – Gainesville Regional Utilities – Solar-Electric (PV) System Rebate Program
- FL – Gulf Power – Solar Thermal Water Heating Pilot Program
- FL – Lakeland Electric – Solar Water Heating Program
- GA – Georgia Power – Solar Buyback Program
- GA – GreyStone Power – Photovoltaic Rebate Program
- GA – TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- GA – Walton EMC – Residential Solar and Efficiency Rebate Programs
- HI – Solar and Wind Energy Credit (Corporate)
- HI – Solar and Wind Energy Credit (Personal)
- IA – Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (Personal)
- ID – Low-Interest Energy Loan Programs
- IN – Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
- KS – Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
- MA – Chicopee Electric Light – Solar Rebate Program
- MA – MassSAVE – Statewide HEAT Loan Program
- MA – Renewable Energy Equipment Sales Tax Exemption
- MA – Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
- MD – Clean Energy Production Tax Credit (Corporate)
- MD – Clean Energy Production Tax Credit (Personal)
- MI – Alternative Energy Personal Property Tax Exemption
- MN – Austin Public Utilities – Solar Choice Program
- MN – Minnesota Power – Solar-Electric (PV) Rebate Program
- MN – Solar Hot Water Rebate Program
- MS – TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- MT – Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program
- MT – NorthWestern Energy – USB Renewable Energy Fund
- MT – Renewable Energy Systems Exemption
- MT – Residential Alternative Energy System Tax Credit
- NC – NC GreenPower Production Incentive
- NC – TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- ND – Geothermal Personal Tax Credit
- NJ – NJ Board of Public Utilities – Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)
- NV – NV Energy – RenewableGenerations Rebate Program
- NV – Renewable Energy Producers Property Tax Abatement
- NV – Renewable Energy Sales and Use Tax Abatement
- NY – Long Island Power Authority – Wind Energy Rebate Program
- NY – NYSERDA – Assisted Home Performance Grants
- NY – NYSERDA – PV Incentive Program
- OH – Dayton Power and Light – Business and Government Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
- OR – Business Energy Tax Credit
- OR – Central Electric Cooperative – Solar Water Heater Rebate
- OR – Energy Trust – New Homes Rebate Program
- OR – Energy Trust – Solar Electric Buy-Down Program
- OR – Energy Trust – Solar Water Heating Buy-Down Program
- OR – GreenStreet Lending Program
- OR – Residential Energy Tax Credit
- OR – Salem Electric – Solar Water Heater Rebate
- PA – Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) – Grants
- PA – West Penn Power SEF Commercial Loan Program
- RI – RIEDC – Renewable Energy Fund Grants
- RI – RIEDC – Renewable Energy Fund Loans
- SC – Solar Energy and Small Hydropower Tax Credit (Corporate)
- SC – Solar Energy and Small Hydropower Tax Credit (Personal)
- SD – Renewable Energy Systems Exemption
- TN – TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- TX – AEP Texas North Company – Smart Source PV Rebate Program
- TX – Denton Municipal Electric – GreenSense Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
- TX – Denton Municipal Electric – GreenSense Solar Rebate Program
- TX – Garland Power & Light: Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
- TX – Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption
- TX – Texas New Mexico Power Company – Solar PV Pilot Program
- UT – City of St. George – Solar and Wind Rebate Program
- UT – Rocky Mountain Power – Solar Incentive Program
- VT – Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) Loan Program
- VT – Green Mountain Power – Solar GMP
- VT – Renewable Energy Systems Sales Tax Exemption
- WA – Chelan County PUD – Sustainable Natural Alternative Power Producers Program
- WA – Clallam County PUD Residential Efficiency Utility Rebate Program
- WA – Clark Public Utilities – Solar Water Heater Rebate
- WA – Klickitat PUD – Solar PV Rebate
- WA – Okanogan County PUD – Sustainable Natural Alternative Power Program
- WA – Orcas Power & Light – Production Incentive
- WA – Richland Energy Services – Residential Energy Conservation Loan Program
- WA – Richland Energy Services – Residential Solar Power Rebate Program
- WA – Washington Renewable Energy Production Incentives
- WI – Madison Gas & Electric – Clean Power Partner Solar Buyback Program
- WI – Renewable Energy Sales Tax Exemptions
- WI – We Energies – Biogas Buy-Back Rate