Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, reducing your regular electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant number of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Utilizing solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery storage systems function through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the power grid for your safety and comfort.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Coconut Creek Homeowners?
Florida homeowners who choose solar could qualify for tax credits, rebates, special financing and reimbursements. Here are just a few of the area's incentive programs.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
All
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Residential: 100% of the added value
Non-Residential: 80% of the added value
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Website: floridapace.govIncentive Amount:
Determined locally
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Website: lakelandelectric.comIncentive Amount:
$5,000
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Website: ecowatch.comIncentive Amount:
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Coconut Creek
The more informed your company investigation is, the better your solar panels will ultimately work. Consider each of these factors in your contractor search.
Licensing and Training
Once an electrical professional in Florida has four years of field experience, including one year as an apprentice, they can pass two tests to earn a CV license with the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. Florida also allows electrical contractors to install solar panels, but they may need to subcontract some tasks to a licensed roofer. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most credible trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Coconut Creek
Your photovoltaic panels' type will impact how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.
Additional components, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will add to your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar contractor includes these extras, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's a priority for you.
Generally speaking, it will cost about $16,050 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Coconut Creek. This table lists more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.
Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
---|---|
Solar Monocrystalline | $1,095 |
Solar Polycrystalline | $854 |
Thin-Film | $499 |
Solar Battery | $701 |
Solar Home EV Charger | $2,629 |
Financing Solar Energy in Coconut Creek
Solar providers offer multiple different financing options to increase your savings and lower your costs. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are cash payments, solar leases, solar loans and power purchase agreements (PPAs). We advise paying with cash or securing a solar loan for the highest return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to cut your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the solar system and cannot use solar incentives. Look for providers that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Coconut Creek.
You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.
Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
---|---|
1 kW | 1.7 years |
2 kW | 3.5 years |
5 kW | 8.6 years |
10 kW | 17.3 years |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Coconut Creek
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
How prevalent is solar energy in Coconut Creek?
Will solar panels improve my Coconut Creek home value?
Is solar installation a quick job?
How do I care for my new solar system?
What's the average solar system size in Coconut Creek?
How can I boost my solar system's performance?
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer
- regularly clean your solar panels
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels
- use energy-efficient appliances
What are some "red flags" to watch for as I research companies?
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Being evasive about references, cost, credentials and training and warranties
- Limited or no customization
- Rushing through the site assessment
- Limited online information
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