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Solar panel installation pays off with big energy savings, and most projects reach the break-even point in ten years or less. But, adopting photovoltaic power doesn’t come cheap – your investment costs could be in the tens of thousands.

Fortunately, you have several options to cover the expense. Here’s a look at the various ways you can pay for your solar panel installation.

Solar Purchasing

Do you have enough money in the bank for an upfront purchase? If you can afford to pay in cash, doing so offers the speediest return on investment. With the available local, state and financial incentives, solar purchasing might be more budget-friendly than you think. For details on how you can save the most, ask your photovoltaic contractor or check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE).

Home Equity Loan

If you have sufficient equity in your home, you may be able to borrow against it to pay for your solar panel project. A home equity loan or line of credit may come with a low interest rate and easy payments, but you’ll need a favorable debt-to-income ratio to qualify.

Energy Efficient Mortgage

Another way to cover the costs of adopting photovoltaic power is to look into your eligibility for an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM). With this type of home loan, the solar costs are incorporated into the mortgage without increasing the down payment. If you already own your home, however, this won’t be an option.

PACE Financing

In some states, homeowners can finance solar panel projects through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. PACE loans typically have long payback periods, often up to 25 years, and the interest may be tax deductible. That said, the interest rate may be higher than what you might expect.

Unsecured Solar Loan

With an unsecured solar loan, you don’t need to have equity in your home – this type of financing doesn’t require any collateral. Many professional photovoltaic contractors, including Intermountain Wind & Solar, offer unsecured financing for solar panel projects, and most homeowners are able to qualify. But, due to the greater risk to the lender, unsecured loans usually have relatively high interest rates.

Need more information on your solar panel installation payment options? The professionals at Intermountain Wind & Solar, a leading photovoltaic contractor in the Intermountain West region for over a decade, can answer your questions and help you make a smart investment.

Intermountain Wind & Solar offers free, no-obligation professional consultations and photovoltaic project estimates to homeowners in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming. Contact us for expert advice on how you can pay for solar panel installation today!

So, you already installed a solar power system, but your energy usage has increased. Can you expand your photovoltaic array in order to meet your household electricity needs?

Most likely, the answer is yes. However, adding more solar panels to an existing photovoltaic array can pose a few challenges. Here are five factors to consider before making plans to expand your solar power system.

No. 1: Space for Solar Panels

Do you have room for more solar panels? If your photovoltaic array takes up most of the available rooftop space, expanding the system might mean looking for another installation spot. A carport, shed or gazebo could suffice, or you might want to pair your rooftop panels with a ground-mounted array.

No. 2: Solar Panel Compatibility

Are the solar panels in your existing photovoltaic array still available? Installing more of the same type is best, as that ensures the power outputs and efficiencies match – plus, gong that route allows for a more aesthetically-pleasing appearance. If you must choose a different type, make sure the new panels are compatible to avoid system damage.

No. 3: Solar Inverter Capacity

Does your photovoltaic array have a string inverter or micro-inverters? If it’s the former, you may need to consider a replacement when planning your system expansion – string inverters can only convert a certain amount of solar power to useable electricity. If you have micro-inverters, you’ll simply be installing an additional one with each new panel.

No. 4: Permitting and Interconnection

Will expanding your photovoltaic array require additional permits or another interconnection application? Depending upon how many solar panels you’re planning to add and whether you’re replacing your inverter, you might need to submit paperwork to your local building department and the utility company.

No. 5: Photovoltaic Contractor

Does your original photovoltaic contractor work on system expansions? If so, hiring them for the project may be best, as the installers are already familiar with your property and the components in your photovoltaic array. If not, look for a reputable local contractor with expertise in add-on projects or ask your solar panel manufacturer for a recommendation.

Are you ready to add on to your solar power system? For expert advice on expanding a photovoltaic array in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming or Oregon, turn to the experienced professionals at Intermountain Wind & Solar.

A trusted Intermountain West industry leader for more than a decade, Intermountain Wind & Solar has extensive expertise with both new installations and add-on photovoltaic projects. For a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the costs and considerations in expanding your solar power system, contact us today.

When you install solar panels, you’ll save money on your utility bills, gain energy independence, improve your home’s value and enjoy a fast return on investment. Sounds great, right?

While the benefits of going solar are undeniable, certain factors can affect your energy production and home PV system cost. Here’s what you need to consider as you plan your photovoltaic power project.

Rooftop Structure

Can your rooftop accommodate solar panels?

Your home PV system will produce electricity for decades. Your roof needs to be in good condition before installation, as addressing problems later on will be both challenging and costly. If you’d rather not budget for roof repairs or replacement when you install solar panels, look at alternate placement options. A shed, carport or patio cover could work, or you might want to install a ground-mounted photovoltaic power system.

Solar Potential

How much sunlight will your home PV system harness?

The more the sun shines on your solar panels, the more electricity they’ll produce. Your geographic location, the local weather patterns and shading on your property can all impact your photovoltaic power production. But if you solar potential seems less than ideal, don’t worry – an experienced professional contractor can still design a cost-effective PV system that meets your energy needs.

Incentive Eligibility

Will you qualify for financial incentives if you install solar panels?

Federal, state and local tax credits, grants and rebates can significantly cut the costs of going solar. However, you must meet the eligibility requirements to reap the savings. And many programs – including the lucrative federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) – are only available for a limited time. Review the available incentives and their qualification guidelines ahead of time to get an idea of how much money you can save on your home PV system installation.

Financing Options

How are you going to pay for your photovoltaic power project?

If you cannot afford to purchase your home PV system with cash – and let’s be real, most people are in this boat – you need to explore your options for financing. You might consider a home equity loan or a personal line of credit, or you may qualify for a FHA or PACE loan. And some professional photovoltaic contractors, including Intermountain Wind & Solar, offer affordable unsecured financing programs.

Why not go with a no-money-down lease? By leasing solar panels, you won’t own your PV system – which means you don’t get to claim any of the financial incentives for going solar. Plus, having a lease agreement can be a hindrance if you ever decide to sell your home.

If you’re planning to install solar panels and want to make an affordable switch to photovoltaic power, consult with the professional team at Intermountain Wind & Solar.

A long-time leader in the Intermountain West photovoltaic industry, Intermountain Wind & Solar offers free, no-obligation consultations to homeowners and businesses throughout Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and Wyoming. For answers to your home PV system questions and expert advice on how you can save the most money when you install solar panels, contact us today.

The federal solar tax credit offers huge savings on PV installation. Claim it, and you can reduce your income tax liability by 30 percent of your photovoltaic system costs – and the incentive has no cap on value.

But if you want to take advantage of the full 30 percent federal investment tax credit (ITC), you’ll need to act fast. Put off your PV installation for too much longer, and you won’t save as much with the solar tax credit.

Projects Must Begin By December 31, 2019

Thanks to a recent change in the ITC rules, you have a little more time to qualify for the full 30 percent solar tax incentive. The requirement to have your photovoltaic system in service by the end of the year is gone – now, you simply need to begin your PV installation by December 31, 2019.

What happens if you miss the deadline? You can still claim the federal solar incentive, but your tax credit will be smaller:

Begin your project between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, and you’ll be eligible for a 26 percent credit. Start your PV installation in 2021, and you can claim 22 percent of your investment costs on your federal income taxes. If you wait until 2022, you won’t be able to benefit from the solar ITC.

Qualifying for the 30% Solar Tax Credit

To the IRS, beginning your PV installation project involves more than researching your options and scheduling a consultation with a professional photovoltaic contractor.

To claim the 30 percent solar tax incentive, you need to meet one of the following by the end of 2019:

• The “Physical Work Test” – which basically requires completion of a significant amount of the photovoltaic project
• The “Five Percent Safe Harbor” guideline – which involves paying or incurring at least five percent of your PV installation costs

In addition, you must own your photovoltaic system. You can pay with cash or obtain financing, but leasing isn’t an option. If you choose a solar lease, you won’t be able claim the federal solar ITC – the leasing company will get the savings.

How to Claim the Solar Tax Credit

To claim the solar ITC on your federal income taxes, you’ll need to complete IRS Form 5965 and send it in. The document is relatively easy to understand, and the IRS provides helpful instructions.

Despite this, you may not want to handle the paperwork on your own. The IRS isn’t all that forgiving of mistakes, and any error could prevent you from qualifying for the full 30 percent solar tax incentive. Working with an accountant or tax professional could be in your best interests.

However, if you only need assistance with the federal ITC form, turn to the Intermountain Wind & Solar team.

We’re not tax experts by any means, but we’re well-acquainted with the federal solar investment tax credit and can help you fill out the paperwork properly. We can also answer your questions about financial incentives for going solar in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon or Wyoming.

For a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to discuss PV installation – and to begin your photovoltaic power project soon enough to take advantage of the full 30 percent federal solar tax credit – contact Intermountain Wind & Solar today.

Are you looking for a solar contractor? Take care when making your choice of which professional to hire. Installing a home PV system is a sizeable investment in your home and your future, and you want to spend your money wisely.

If you’re not sure where to start, this step-by-step guide should help you find the right photovoltaic provider to meet your needs.

Step 1: Compile a List of Local Solar Contractors

First of all, do a Google search for local solar providers. Include your city and state to ensure the results offer service in your area. Chances are, you’ll come up with quite a few options, so make a list.

Step 2: Examine Solar Contractor Credentials

Next, check the website of each photovoltaic provider to see how long they’ve been in business. Look at their qualifications, too – the contractor you hire should have a license to work in your state and certification by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). With a NABCEP-certified contractor, you can count on the highest standards of professionalism and workmanship.

Step 3: Check Customer Reviews and Ratings

After examining each photovoltaic provider’s credentials, take a look at their company reviews. For a smooth and easy switch to solar power, you need to choose a solar contractor with a reputation for stellar customer service. Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and make sure to check the company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Step 4: Schedule Professional Consultations

Based on all the information you researched in the previous steps, you should be able to narrow down your list to your top solar contractor picks. Contact at least a few and schedule professional home PV system consultations. When each photovoltaic provider visits your property for a solar site evaluation, ask questions about their services.

Step 5: Compare Solar Installation Quotes

To figure out which solar contractor comes in at the lowest project cost, compare the price per watt (PPW) for each home PV system installation estimate. If this isn’t included in the bid, simply take the gross total price and divide by the number of watts of power the PV system provides. But price isn’t the only important factor – quality matters just as much. So, make sure the estimates are for high-quality solar equipment.

If you’re searching for a reputable solar contractor and you live in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon or Wyoming, schedule a professional consultation with Intermountain Wind & Solar.

The leading Intermountain West photovoltaic provider for over a decade, Intermountain Wind & Solar has excellent customer reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Our contractors are NABCEP-certified (Mike Allen – Cert. #032611-04, Mike Telford – Cert. #092411-142) and we never outsource our work.

With Intermountain Wind & Solar, you can get a highly-efficient home PV system with favorable warranty coverage for an affordable price. For a no-cost, no-obligation solar contractor consultation, contact us today.

How big should your solar panel system be? Figuring out what size photovoltaic array to install isn’t easy.

On the one hand, you want your PV system to produce enough energy to meet your household needs and eliminate your monthly electricity bills. But on the other hand, you’re concerned about costs – and though prices for solar panels have dramatically dropped in recent years, you don’t want to pay for more than you need.

As you make plans to install a new solar panel system, you’ll need to consider the following to determine the right size for your photovoltaic array.

Examine Your Electricity Bills

Pull out your electricity bills from the past year or take a look at them online. The amount you’re paying now helps to establish the basis of your energy production goal. After all, if your monthly costs average $100, for example, you don’t need to install a photovoltaic array that produces $200 worth of power.

Look at Your Household Energy Use

While you’re checking out your electricity bills, find your energy usage, which is listed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is a separate consideration because life circumstances – such as having kids, building a home addition or investing in energy-efficiency upgrades — could cause this figure to increase or decrease. Factoring in your future energy needs is crucial to correctly sizing your PV system.

Account for the Weather Conditions

How much direct sunlight does your part of the Intermountain West receive per day? Do you have a lot of cloudy days? Weather plays a large role in determining PV system size, as the conditions affect energy production. As an example, a photovoltaic array in sunny Salt Lake City, Utah, will create more electricity than one of the identical size in cloudier Portland, Oregon.

Evaluate Your Available Rooftop Space

For maximum sun exposure, a PV system in the Intermountain West should face south. Rooftops that face east or west can work, but more solar panels may be necessary. Along with angle, you also need to consider the amount of space you have available and whether shade from obstructions like trees, skylights, chimneys or vents may interfere with energy production.

Request Bids from Local Solar Contractors

Putting all of this information together and determining how many solar panels you need requires careful consideration. And, size isn’t the only decision you have to make when designing a PV system. So, experts recommend requesting site evaluations and project bids from at least a few local solar contractors. Comparing several options is the best way to get a photovoltaic array of the right size without overpaying.

If you live in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming or Oregon, schedule a site evaluation and solar panel system installation estimate with the professional team at Intermountain Wind & Solar.

A trusted Intermountain West industry leader for over a decade, Intermountain Wind & Solar has extensive experience designing efficient, cost-effective photovoltaic arrays that offer optimal energy production. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss solar panel system installation today.

Why pay a professional solar contractor when you can buy a solar panel kit and install it yourself? Wouldn’t that cost less?

Perhaps, but sticker price isn’t the only consideration. When you consider the bigger picture, paying a little less upfront and going the DIY route really isn’t a smart financial move. In the long run hiring a professional solar contractor can actually save you money.

Time is Money

How much do you know about installing solar panels? If you plan to handle your own photovoltaic installation, you’d better be ready to spend many, many hours reading manuals and watching instructional videos. The skills and knowledge you need to attain before embarking on the project include:

• How to evaluate a rooftop for adequate structural support
• How to properly size a photovoltaic system
• How to attach solar panels safely and securely to a rooftop
• How to place a rooftop array to maximize energy production
• How to wire the system and install the inverter

Time is money, as the saying goes. And this is just a partial list – and the less you know now, the more time you need to spend studying. If you don’t do your research, you might miss a crucial step. Don’t want to invest the time? Hire a professional solar contractor.

Mistakes are Costly

Let’s say you already know quite a bit about installing solar panels, or you don’t mind spending the time to learn. Why not handle your own project and skip hiring a professional contractor?

You can, but remember this – if you mess up even a minor part of the photovoltaic system installation process, you’ll bear the full weight of fixing the problem. Mistakes can be expensive to repair, and any you make could cancel out the initial savings of taking the DIY approach.

Mistakes can cost you in another way, too. You expect your solar panels to produce a certain amount of electricity, but if you get the orientation, tilt or placement wrong, you can count on a loss in energy production. In the hands of an experienced solar contractor, this won’t happen – you’ll see optimal energy savings from the start.

DIY Solar is a Gamble

DIY solar panel kits don’t come cheap – many cost tens of thousands of dollars or more. Do you really want to take any risks when spending that kind of money? Can you afford to shoulder the costs if your DIY installation goes sour?

With a professional solar contractor, you can enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that your photovoltaic system installation was completed with expert care and masterful workmanship. You’ll gain maximum energy production, while enjoying problem-free operation and the security of warranty coverage.

If you live in Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada or Wyoming and are looking for an experienced professional contractor to handle your solar panel installation, call on the team at Intermountain Wind & Solar.

We can answer your questions, explain your options and design a cost-effective photovoltaic array that meets your electricity needs. Contact Intermountain Wind & Solar and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and find out how a leading professional solar contractor can save you money today.

Solar trackers can boost the output of a PV system by as much as 20 to 40 percent. Trackers allow photovoltaic panels to follow the sun as it moves through the sky, which maximizes their exposure to sunlight and allows for optimal energy production.

As a concept, tracker technology sounds great. Creating electricity is the goal, after all, and your solar panels will make more if they always face the sun. So, you might think that adding a solar tracker to your PV system is the right choice.

Why, then, do professional photovoltaic contractors recommend fixed-tilt racks for most PV system installations?

Solar Trackers Cost More than Fixed-Tilt Racks

Fixed racks come at a fraction of the cost of solar trackers. The price difference can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending upon the size of the PV system you’re installing.

Plus, installing a sun tracking system is a complex task – much more so than mounting photovoltaic panels to fixed-tilt racks. As such, the labor charges for professional installation tend to be significantly higher.

Investing in trackers for a boost in energy production might have made sense decades ago when solar panels were much more expensive. Now that panel prices are much lower, a sun tracking system usually isn’t worth the cost. If you need a greater amount of electricity, it’s almost always more cost-effective to install more photovoltaic panels.

Solar Trackers Require Routine Maintenance

Higher upfront costs aren’t all you’ll get if you choose to install solar trackers. You can also count on spending more for maintenance.

Sun tracking systems have motorized parts and, without routine professional maintenance, the machinery can fail. Regular maintenance ensures ongoing operation, but the added expense brings down the overall energy savings.

In comparison, fixed racks rarely need maintenance or repairs. For optimal PV system output, experts recommend annual professional inspections – but the likelihood of a problem is low.

Should Your PV System Include Solar Trackers?

As you can see, fixed-tilt racks provide a clear cost advantage. Sun tracking systems offer increased solar energy production, but the extra electricity doesn’t usually compensate for the expenses of installation and lifetime maintenance.

There are some installations where photovoltaic contractors recommend adding a sun tracking system, especially for commercial and industrial projects that need maximum energy output in a small amount of space. If there isn’t room for more solar panels, using trackers may be the only way to create the amount of electricity required.

If you’re planning to install a PV system, it’s always wise to compare your options. The professional contractors at Intermountain Wind & Solar can help you weigh the pros and cons of sun tracking systems and fixed-tilt racks to determine which type of mount makes better sense for your solar power project.

As the leading photovoltaic provider in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming, Intermountain Wind & Solar designs efficient, cost-effective PV systems that provide optimal energy production. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss solar trackers and other types of mounting systems for your photovoltaic system.