Monthly Archives: September 2016

Adopting solar power may soon become possible for more U.S. residents, thanks to a new program the federal government recently launched. The Clean Energy Savings for All Americans program is a partnership among several government agencies that aims to give more American families the opportunity to go solar. The program will facilitate a variety of initiatives designed to make it easier for homeowners of all income levels to take advantage of photovoltaic power. The program’s ultimate goal is to bring a total of 1 gigawatt of solar power to low- and middle-income households by 2020. Unlocking PACE So More Homeowners Can Adopt Solar Power Property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing allows homeowners to use their property value as loan collateral for...

Adopting solar energy to power your home may seem involved, but making the switch to photovoltaic power is actually quite simple. In fact, you can adopt solar energy yourself in three simple steps. Step 1: Request Free Estimates from Qualified Solar Energy Installers An online search for solar energy installers in your area is likely to provide you with the names of several local companies. You can check their websites for information, but the best way to proceed is to contact a few and ask for a free estimate for your photovoltaic project. A professional estimate should include the total expenses for your photovoltaic system, including the component prices, labor costs, permit fees and projections for future operational costs and...

Residential solar energy installations did not previously qualify for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. Today, however, those rules are changing. The PACE program was previously reserved for commercial solar projects, but several states are now working to develop residential programs. Is PACE the right choice for financing your home solar power system? Is it even available yet in your area? Advantages of PACE Financing for Residential Solar Energy Systems PACE financing uses the value of your property as collateral for a loan used to purchase a residential solar energy system. This means you don’t have to worry about whether your credit rating will qualify you for a low-interest loan or lease, or whether you have cash in the bank....

The sun is definitely shining on the Utah solar industry! Although natural gas is still the largest source of energy in our state, photovoltaic power has enjoyed an incredible surge in popularity over the last few years. A Growth Surge in Utah Solar Installations At the end of 2014, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reported that Utah ranked 28th in the country for installed solar capacity. Less than two years later, our state is now in the 16th spot, with 262 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic power. Last year, however, Utah ranked 8th nationally for the amount of new photovoltaic capacity. A whopping 231 megawatts (MW) of solar electric capacity was installed in 2015. That’s an increase of 1,538 percent...

Photovoltaic solar power absolutely can save you money in the form of reduced electricity bills. These savings will add up quickly over time, and your photovoltaic array will pay for itself. But how much can you save? When will your solar system reach the point of payback, and how can you push that along? The answers to these questions depend primarily upon three factors: How well-suited your home is for adopting solar power Your local utility rates The details of your photovoltaic installation agreement Is Your Home Ready for PV Solar Power? A photovoltaic solar power system requires clear and unobstructed access to the sun. Consequently, you’ll need a sunny location to install your array. You also could choose a...

Solar rebates help countless homeowners save money on photovoltaic system installations. Just like big box stores and manufacturers offer cash back on product purchases, some state and local governments and utility companies provide rebates to consumers who invest in photovoltaic energy systems. Are you planning to install a photovoltaic array to power your home? Rebates can help to substantially reduce your system costs. Determining Eligibility for Solar Rebates First, the good news about qualifying for solar rebates: Unlike tax credits, you don’t have to have an income to claim them. To be eligible, you simply have to pay for your photovoltaic system, either with out-of-pocket cash or through some type of loan or financing program. And although many solar rebate...

In the first quarter of 2016, the photovoltaic energy industry reached a significant milestone in the United States—the market became 1 million solar installations strong. And according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Q1 2016 was the 10th consecutive quarter in which solar installations exceeded one gigawatt. In what other ways has the photovoltaic energy industry grown since the beginning of the year? Let’s take a look at the latest information from SEIA’s U.S. Solar Market Insight report. Growth in the Residential Photovoltaic Energy Market Many major photovoltaic energy markets are considering net metering reforms, and some have already been implemented. This will cost solar owners money, and thus has led to declining or flat growth in some areas...

Adopting solar energy is a great way to establish energy independence. Using power produced by a rooftop photovoltaic system instead of traditional grid electricity means you’ll rely less on the utility company. And as a result, your monthly energy bills will be much lower. Before making the decision to invest in a photovoltaic solar panel system, ask yourself the three important questions below. How Much Electricity Should Your Solar Energy System Produce? According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the average home rooftop photovoltaic system is 5 kW. Will yours need to be larger than that? Or could a smaller array provide you with sufficient power? To answer this question, you must determine how much electricity your household uses...

When people talk about cutting costs on solar energy systems, the federal tax credit gets all the glory. Rightly so, as it can reduce your income tax liability by 30 percent of the cost of your PV system. Solar energy sales tax exemptions, on the other hand, get almost no attention, but this perk can reduce the upfront cost of a photovoltaic installation by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Is your photovoltaic system eligible for this money-saving incentive? How Sales Tax Exemptions Affect Solar Energy System Costs A tax exemption is one of the few solar incentives that saves you money right away. Tax credits and rebates give you cash back later, but an exemption means that your installation...