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!

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