Solarion: Is Solar Power Affordable? You Bet!

Andy Black on Mother Earth News carries an reprinted article from Solar Today magazine. I immediately knew that I need to inform users of this fine piece of writing. I know a lot of people are confused when it comes to financing and planing to convert their abode to be energy independent. The information is our there but at best is scattered. "You Can Afford Solar Power" article carries one through the phases of implementing such a system. It touches on age old questions such as payback and gives you no frills answers. I suggest that you read and digest this article if you are solar energy expert, solar power user, or intending to be one or the other.
from the article;

'What Factors Improve Payback?

The most important factors for making solar an attractive investment include high electric rates, net-metering policies, financial incentives and good sunlight. Unlike the other factors, sunlight is available in almost all of the continental United States.

High electric rates can take various forms. California, Hawaii, New York and other states have average rates well above 15 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). California’s tiered pricing system penalizes large residential users with prices as high as 33 cents per kWh. Solar energy offsets highest-tier usage first, making the customer look like a smaller net user.'

Direct incentives can include tax benefits such as credits or depreciation. A federal tax credit went into effect Jan. 1 for 30 percent of the cost of a solar system, up to $2,000 for residential systems (there’s no cap on commercial credits). For PV systems, that typically means a $2,000 credit on your tax return for the year the system was installed. Then there are state incentives, including rebates, which can discount up to 60 percent of a system’s cost. Some states also offer tax credits, which can further reduce the upfront cost of a system. Consult a certified tax adviser to check the applicability of such incentives to your situation.

The article ends with links to valuable tools listed below ;

Links;

You Can Afford Solar Power

Solar Today Magazine

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