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Across the country, a new revolution is taking place. Homeowners are taking control of their finances and switching to solar power, reducing their reliance on the traditional energy grid and shrinking or completely eliminating their monthly electric bills. There is no better time to add a solar system to your home because of the incentives available, and you might be asking yourself, “Should I go solar?”
Who Can Go Solar?
While we would love for the whole world to go solar, there are some qualifications. To start, like many home improvement projects, only homeowners can install panels on their houses.
If you live in an apartment or rent your living space, this doesn’t mean you can’t embrace clean energy. Everyone is welcome to participate in community solar! When you subscribe to a community solar project, the renewable energy is produced offsite, and subsidizes part of your typical energy usage. For no cost, you can receive 10% off your monthly electric bill. You can see immediate financial savings and take part in the clean energy revolution.
Factors to Consider Before Installing Solar
Your Roof
One of the most important factors in going solar is the roof itself. Because solar panels can last up to 25 years, your roof also needs to last this long. That is why if your roof is older than 15 years, we recommend replacing it before installation. The best materials for panels are asphalt shingles, rolled asphalt, and metal seam roofs. Although aesthetically pleasing, we unfortunately cannot install arrays on tile roofs.
Besides the material of your roof, the most productive systems are installed on roofs with pitches of 20° to 40°. Depending on your typical energy usage, the size of your array will vary, although most of ours measure between 600 and 800 square feet. The perfect roofs are also unobstructed. That means that no trees, chimneys, or vent stacks are blocking potential array space. Our design team will take all these factors into consideration when building your array, making sure the system is as productive as possible to provide enough power for your energy needs.
Your Finances
One of the biggest misconceptions about solar is that only homeowners who are very wealthy can afford it.
Every array we design is unique to your home and your needs. That’s why we offer three distinct ways of paying for solar; through a solar loan/financing, purchasing, or leasing. All three options offer immediate savings for $0 down from day one. Just like any loan, if you choose to pay for your system through a solar loan, you will need to have a certain credit score, typically around 650. If this may be an issue for you, we recommend leasing or purchasing your system outright.
Eligibility for Rebates + Incentives
Solar is a sizable investment, but by combining incentives and rebates, you can see the final cost of your system be lowered significantly. In fact, many clients see their total cost reduced by up to 50%. In August 2022, the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) increased to 30%, making the switch to solar even more affordable.
It is worth noting that while many homeowners will have a sufficient tax appetite in order to take advantage of this offer, some may not. For example, if you’re on a fixed income, retired, or only work for part of the year you may not owe enough taxes to benefit. Those that lease their systems are not eligible for the ITC, but are eligible for other incentives, like New York State’s Solar Energy System Equipment Tax Credit.
We recommend consulting with a qualified tax advisor regarding the tax credits and how they apply to your individual circumstances.
What To Do If You Can’t Go Solar
If you can’t install panels on your home for any reason, you can still help others embrace renewable energy and save money through our referral program. When someone you refer completes an in-home solar assessment, you will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Plus, when your referral’s home system is installed, you will receive an additional $500 Amazon gift card. The best part? You can make as many referrals as you want.
Contact us today for a free estimate to see if your home is right for solar and begin referring your friends and family.
Say goodbye to high-energy bills and hello to worry-free solar
Say goodbye to high-energy bills and hello to worry-free solar
About the Author
EmPower Solar develops, engineers, installs, and services solar and battery systems for residential and commercial clients. Since 2003, EmPower Solar has empowered thousands of New York homeowners and businesses with 47 megawatts of distributed solar. Its vision is to create a new energy paradigm powered by clean, renewable energy for a more prosperous, healthy, and civil world. The company culture is defined by the EmPowering Way, which results in consistent 5-star customer service reviews. For more information visit empower-solar.com.