Living off the sun. Solar power offers an amazing energy alternative, but at what cost? Energy from the sun is never ending, but our ability to harness its power was, until recently, limited. In the last decade the cost of solar has crashed, offering homeowners the ability to affordably plug into the sun. The number of solar installations, with enough power to run 12 million homes, have grown 35 fold since 2008. The average cost for photovoltaic (PV) panels has likewise decreased in half from 2014.
Now the average homeowner can expect the price of their very own system, including installation, to range from $11,411 to $14,874 after solar tax credits (The credits given by state and federal grants) and the average price per watt (which is the total cost divided by the total watt capacity of the panels) to be between $2.57 to $3.35 with tax credits.
The average system can be expected to pay for itself in just under 8 years.
Solar energy has expanded vastly to meet our needs. There are solar paneled shingles, windows, and even solar roads just to name a few. Right now is a critical time to take advantage of the solar tax credits offered by the federal government, which are to be lowered from 26% of the total cost to 22% by the end of 2020 and lowered further from there. Thankfully there are many reputable solar installation companies ready to help you through the process should you choose to tap into this money saving opportunity. Make sure to check out the many solar incentives being offered at the federal, state, and local level before you decide on a project. Down below is a current list.
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- 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:
- AK – Golden Valley Electric Association – Sustainable Natural Alternative Power (SNAP) Program
- AL – TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- AZ – Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption
- 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 – California Feed-In Tariff
- CA – Glendale Water and Power – Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program
- CA – Glendale Water and Power – Solar Solutions Program
- CA – LADWP – Solar Incentive Program
- CA – Pasadena Water and Power – Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
- CA – Pasadena Water and Power – Solar Power Installation Rebate
- 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
- CA – Silicon Valley Power – Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
- CA – Silicon Valley Power – Solar Electric Buy Down Program
- CA – SMUD – Non-Residential PV Buydown
- CO – Aspen – Solar Power Pioneer Loan 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 – Renewable Generation Rebate Program
- CO – La Plata Electric Association Energy Efficient Equipment Utility Rebate Program
- CO – Local Small Wind Rebate Programs
- CO – Southeast Colorado Power Association – Renewable Energy Rebate
- CT – Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) Residential Solar Photovoltaic State Rebate Program
- CT – Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
- DE – Green Energy Program Incentives
- 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
- FL – Progress Energy Florida – Solar Water Heating with EnergyWise Program
- FL – Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
- GA – Georgia Power – Solar Buyback Program
- GA – GreyStone Power – Photovoltaic Rebate Program
- GA – GreyStone Power – Sun Rays Power Program
- GA – Jackson EMC – Right Choice Sun Power 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 – Independence Light & Power – Renewable Energy Rebates
- 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
- KY – TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- MA – Chicopee Electric Light – Solar Rebate Program
- MA – Mass Energy – Renewable Energy Certificate Incentive
- MA – MassSAVE – Statewide HEAT Loan Program
- MA – MTC – Commonwealth Solar Rebates
- 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
- MI – WPPI Energy – Renewable Energy Rebates (offered by seven MI utilities)
- MN – Austin Public Utilities – Solar Choice Program
- MN – Great River Energy (28 Member Cooperatives) – Solar-Electric (PV) Rebate 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 – Solar Rebate Program
- NY – Long Island Power Authority – Wind Energy Rebate Program
- NY – NYSERDA – Assisted Home Performance Grants
- NY – NYSERDA – Energy $mart Loan Fund
- NY – NYSERDA – PV Incentive Program
- OH – Dayton Power and Light – Business and Government Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
- OH – ODOD – Advanced Energy Program Grants – Multi-Family Residential Solar Thermal Incentive
- OH – ODOD – Advanced Energy Program Grants – Non-Residential Renewable Energy Incentive
- OH – ODOD – Advanced Energy Program Grants – Residential Solar Photovoltaic Energy Incentive
- OR – Business Energy Tax Credit
- OR – Central Electric Cooperative – Solar Rebates
- OR – Central Electric Cooperative – Solar Water Heater Rebate
- OR – Consumers Power, Inc. – Solar Energy System 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 – PA Home Energy (West Penn Power) – Home Efficiency Incentives
- PA – Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) – Grants
- PA – West Penn Power SEF Commercial Loan Program
- RI – People’s Power & Light – Renewable Energy Certificate Incentive
- RI – RIEDC – Renewable Energy Fund Grants
- RI – RIEDC – Renewable Energy Fund Loans
- SC – Palmetto Clean Energy (PaCE) Program
- 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 Central Company – Smart Source PV Rebate 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 – Green Mountain Energy Renewable Rewards Buy-Back Program
- TX – Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption
- TX – Southwestern Electric Power Company – Smart Source PV Rebate Program
- TX – Texas New Mexico Power Company – Solar PV Pilot Program
- UT – City of St. George – Solar and Wind Rebate Program
- UT – Logan City Light and Power – PV Rebate Program
- UT – Rocky Mountain Power – Solar Incentive Program
- VA – TVA – Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
- VT – Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) Grant 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 – Port Angeles Public Works & Utilities – Solar Energy System Rebate
- 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
- WI – Wisconsin Power and Light (Alliant Energy) – Advanced Renewables Tariff
