Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, minimizing your regular electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. 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: The sun is the universe's most abundant clean energy source, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on "traditional" sources.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with battery storage systems work through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the electrical grid for your safety and well-being.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Delray Beach Homeowners?
Florida homeowners who go solar could qualify for tax credits, special financing, rebates and reimbursements. Here are just a few of the local 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 Delray Beach
The more informed your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately operate. Here are some crucial criteria to remember while searching for a solar provider.
Licensing and Training
Once an electrical professional in Florida has four years of field experience, including one year as an apprentice, they can take 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. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most reputed trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Delray Beach
Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.
Additional components, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will raise your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies include these add-ons, so look for a provider that sells them if it's crucial for you.
Generally speaking, it costs about $16,050 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Delray Beach. This table shows more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,126 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $878 |
| Thin-Film | $513 |
| Solar Battery | $720 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,702 |
Financing Solar Energy in Delray Beach
There are numerous ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include loans, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and leases. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Much like a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in particular circumstances. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each consultant about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Delray Beach.
The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own rebates, financing programs, and incentives that could save you more money.
| 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 Delray Beach
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
How widespread is solar energy in Delray Beach?
Should I anticipate a boost in my property value after adopting solar power?
What can I do to calculate my home's solar potential?
How long does the solar panel installation process require?
How do I care for my new solar system?
How are a solar lease and PPA different?
If you choose a lease, you'll make set monthly payments.
With both leases and PPAs, you do not own your panels and lose eligibility for most incentives. Further, you'll have to "buy out" or transfer the contract if you sell your home during the term.
What's the difference between a PPA and traditional financing?
You might consider a PPA if you don’t want to be responsible for maintaining your panels and don’t want to invest in a system, but keep in mind you won’t be paying toward ownership or be able to access any cost-saving solar incentives. Many solar experts don’t recommend PPAs. Our guide covers other financing options above.
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