Solar Power Rebates
No matter where you live in the continental USA, solar power systems work (and they probably work just fine in
Alaska too, if designed properly). Particularly with electricity rates rising and a growing consumer demand to
decrease our dependence on non-renewable fuels, installing solar power systems makes economic sense.
At the Federal level, homeowners can take advantage of a 30% tax credit for a
solar photovoltaic or
solar domestic water system
(except for heating hot tubs or swimming pools). Note that this tax credit is currently set
to expire on December 31, 2016. The Federal Government just passed a comprehensive energy bill that extended this
credit and removed the former $2,000 ceiling. Use our
Solar Calculator to calculate
the incentives and approximate cost involved when you install a solar system on your home.
An increasing number of states, utilities, and local jurisdictions are offering residents monetary
incentives to install solar power systems. For the best information regarding State and Utility
rebates, arrange an on-site estimate with a local featured Solar Installer.
Twenty-nine states have some sort of personal tax incentive related to solar power and many of these
same states also offer property or sales tax exemptions for residential solar photovoltaic or domestic
water systems. Many utilities offer rebates and an increasing number of local jurisdictions offer rebates
or loans for installing renewable energy systems as well.
California has
established some of the most attractive financial incentives to promote solar power, so too has Colorado
and Arizona. However those "sunny states" are not alone, a surprising number of states in less sun-drenched
parts of the USA have created aggressive programs as well. For example, in the Northeast, where residents
pay some of the highest residential electricity rates in the nation, states such as New Jersey, New York,
Maryland, and Massachusetts offer substantial financial subsidies.
To view a comprehensive database of the incentives available for solar photovoltaic,
solar thermal and other types of renewable energy
incentives visit: http://www.dsireusa.org.