Cost Incentives and Rebates
Solar Energy Resources
for Home Consumers:
An Annotated Bibliography of Government Sources
This page offers resources regarding financial incentives and rebates for implementing solar energy.
DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
North Carolina State University, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
This easy to navigate website provides national information organized by state with financial incentives, loan programs, rebates, sales tax incentives, and financing possibilities for renewable energy. After selecting one’s state, links are provided for financial assistance besides state rules and regulations. A handy link allows visitors to limit the resources to only residential incentives. This site provides an excellent starting point for home consumers investigating methods of paying for solar power.
2009
available online (HTML)
free/no cost
Energy Calculators & Software: Renewable Energy Systems
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/calculators/renewable_energy_systems.html
What is the cost-benefit ratio for going solar? This website offers links to several great resources for determining how much money and energy solar power can save. There are links to U.S. maps with average kilowatts per hour that can be produced via solar, and a solar calculator by zip code which estimates how much money will be saved vs. the average cost. A great chart shows the time-span for recouping one's investment. Another link offers free downloadable computer software from Natural Resources Canada that can help estimate energy savings from solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) modules (requires free registration).
2010
available online (HTML), software requires Microsoft® Excel 2000 or later, and Microsoft® Windows 2000 or later
free/no cost
Get Your Power from the Sun: A Consumer’s Guide
sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf
This 20 page booklet covers investing in, selecting, and regulations one should know about before connecting a solar electric or photovoltaic system to the grid. Besides defining and explaining what a solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) system is, each section is organized around a series of questions that the home consumer might ask, including what are the costs involved? How much might one save? How to choose among competing bids and providers?What kind of permits are required? What kind of interconnection agreement or net metering agreement does one need? And what about insurance or warranties?
December 2003
available online in PDF format
free/no cost
DOE/GO-102003-1844
California Solar Initiative (CSI)
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Solar/index.htmLearn about financial incentives from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for adding solar to existing residential homes in California. This program is designed for families with low income to install solar electric or heating/cooling systems. Whether living in a single- or multi-family home, if your income qualifies, you may be able to receive a sizable discount when installing solar.
2007 (with updates on most pages)
available online (HTML), with links to some documents in PDF format
free/no cost
Go Solar California
State of California, California Energy Commission
http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/
Residents of California who install residential solar systems may be eligible to receive a lump sum upfront rebate or a rebate spread over five years. This site furnishes information for residents, builders and contractors, adding solar to new or existing houses in California. Includes an easy-to-use, searchable online database of firms that contract, install and/or sell solar in the state. Also includes links to the California Solar Initiative Program Handbook and the New Solar Homes Partnership Guidebook (both in PDF format).
2007-2009
available online in HTML and PDF format
free/no cost
MadiSUN Sustainability
City of Madison, Wisconsinhttp://www.cityofmadison.com/sustainability/city/MadiSUN/residents.cfm
This website, from the City of Madison, furnishes information about financial incentives and free consultation services for local residents (and businesses and nonprofits) interested in installing solar. Contact information is provided for a free “solar agent” who can help with solar permit and funding besides suggesting local firms that install solar. Further information on the MadiSUN Solar Energy Program explains briefly what solar energy systems are and how they work.
Last updated 2010
available online (HTML)
free/no cost
Solar Power Purchase Agreements
EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/buygp/solarpower.htm
Have someone else pay to install solar in your home. This webpage defines and explains the pros and cons of Solar Power Purchase Agreements (SPPAs), along with analyzing their benefits and potential issues. Learn also about Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Green Power Partnership Eligibility.
Includes a bibliography of additional resources to read before pursuing this method of going solar.
2010
available online (HTML)
free/no cost
Solar Photovoltaic Financing: Residential Sector Deployment
by Jason Coughlin and Karlynn Cory
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/44853.pdf or http://www.osti.gov/bridge (search for Report TP-6A2-44853)
This 66 page technical report can help one investigate numerous financing options and determine the long-term cost of a solar PV system. Besides mortgage or home equity loans, residents in certain locations have access to cash or tax incentives, and community cooperatives to help in financing. This document explores these and other possibilities for solar financing in California, Colorado, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. This report includes a glossary of acronyms and up-to-date references.
March 2009
available online in PDF format
free/no cost online
also for sale to the public, in print, from the U.S. Department of Commerce
Report Number: TP-6A2-44853
NTIS/GPO Number: 950132
NREL/TP-6A2-44853
last updated: 03-May-2010