When
looking into home solar power,
many people are dismayed by the expenses. However, these prices need
not be so discouraging. After the initial fees, a large amount of power
can be saved in the long run.
In addition to this, many states have funded solar rebate programs
or tax credits. Also, if more electricity is produced than needed, it
can often be sold back to the utility company. This means that it is
actually possible to make money by setting up a home solar power system.
Not only do states have particular incentives, there are also federal
options to help finance a residential solar power system. These incentives
may apply in particular to solar power, or deal more generally with
renewable energy or energy efficiency.
Financial incentives include such things as tax credits, deductions,
and exemptions. They also include loans, bonds, grants, and, of course,
rebates. As stated, these may operate at a federal or state level. There
are also benefits which particular utility companies may offer.
Certain incentives apply only to commercial, industrial, or nonprofit
(in other words, non-residential) buildings. So when searching
for useful home solar power deals, double check that anything which
catches your interest is available for residential properties specifically.
Net metering is the term for the electricity policy under which someone
using renewable energy can receive retail credit for the energy they
generate. In some instances, this credit will only apply to a portion
of what is generated.
According to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, all public utilities are
required to make net metering available to any customer upon request.
Different states are meeting this requirement at different levels. The
variety in results comes from such things as how much value is assigned
the credit and how long these credits can last. Also, a state’s
regulations for the interconnection process between a home generator
and the distribution grid can affect how easy or realistic of a choice
this may be for some people.
One of the top resources to learn more about incentives for home solar
power and other alternative technologies is The
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE).
Incentives may be searched by state, by type, or by eligibility. The
Web site also includes plenty of useful information on such relevant
things as regulations, policies, codes, and standards.
Most states offer some sort of financial stimuli for the use of renewable
energy technology. For this reason, it is very worthwhile to research
state incentives before installing a new system. It is also wise to
investigate these matters even when only considering a home solar power
system. Many people mistakenly assume that solar power is too expensive
without really looking into it.