Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy provides several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Embracing solar is a surefire way to lower your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
- Better energy independence: Solar panels can keep your home running through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
- Lowered energy bills: With a solar array, you produce power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-connected power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Fort Lauderdale Homeowners?
Governments and utilities often reward homeowners for adopting solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.
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 Fort Lauderdale
The more informed your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately function. Consider each of these criteria in your contractor search.
The kind of solar panels you select determines how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.
Additional accessories, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will add to your overall investment. These upgrades extend your system’s efficiency while adding more conveniences to your home. Not all solar providers offer these add-ons, so look for a contractor that has them if it's essential for you.
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. The Sunshine State also allows electrical contractors to install solar panels, but they may need to subcontract some tasks to a licensed roofer. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most respected are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, granted by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.
Financing Options
There are many ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will reduce your expenses. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar leases, solar loans and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they save you from paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Similar to a home or car loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to use your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, much like an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. Ask each installer you're evaluating about the payment plans it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the most suitable option for your financial situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Fort Lauderdale
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
How prevalent is solar energy in Fort Lauderdale?
Will solar energy systems raise my Fort Lauderdale home value?
How can I assess my property's solar viability?
What is a Fort Lauderdale solar panel's average lifespan?
What size should my new Fort Lauderdale solar system be?
How can I maximize my solar array's performance?
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer ,
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels ,
- regularly clean your solar panels ,
- use energy-efficient appliances
What's the difference between a PPA and traditional financing?
You might think about 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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