Residential Solar Power System
You likely already know that installing a residential
solar power system can save you money... down the line. In fact, it
often takes at least 10 years before you start to see the savings that
a residential solar power system can get you. Are you willing to wait
that long? Before you immediately say “no,” realize that
there are multiple federal and state incentives for people who install
and use a residential solar power system.
Of course, the exact incentives that you can receive depend greatly
on where you live: while some states offer extensive incentives for
residential solar power systems, others offer few or none. California
as multiple options: tax deductible interest on loans for energy efficiency,
property tax exemptions, leasing options for solar water heating, grants,
loans, rebates, and more.
Many of these incentives have expiration dates, so make sure that you
take that into account. Also, some incentives can be used in conjunction
with federal tax incentives, but others cannot. It is best to hire a
contractor or do a lot of research on your own to find out how to make
the best of your money and your residential solar power system: you
want to be sure to get back as much money as possible, even before the
system starts giving you rewards on its own.
Here are some factors that you should consider before you buy and install
your own residential solar power system:
· How long do you plan on living in your home? If you only plan
to live there for a few years, realize that you may never see your savings...
of course, if helping out the environment is your main cause, then you
may not care.
· Where do you live? Depending on your geographic location, the
direction your roofs point (south facing roofs are best for solar panels),
the slope of your roof, shade, general climate, and other factors can
lessen the amount of sunlight your residential solar power system can
trap.
· What incentives are available in your area? Check out websites
like www.solarhome.org and www.dsireusa.org for more information on
both federal and local tax incentives for residential solar power systems.
Planning out a residential solar power system can be difficult –
you want to be sure that you get the most for your money. You want to
be sure that it is worth it in the long run (of course, many would say
that anything that helps our environment is worth it in the long run).
It is OK to take time making your decision – just make sure that
certain incentives do not expire while you are deciding! You can also
consider purchasing
home wind turbines as well.