Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple benefits. Let's look at a few of them.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can reduce or eliminate your home's dependence on "traditional" sources.
- Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during storms and grid outages.
- Lowered energy bills: With solar panels, you create power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-connected power. 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.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Port Orange Homeowners?
Florida homeowners who choose solar could qualify for rebates, tax credits, special financing and reimbursements. Here are just a few of the local incentive offerings.
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 Port Orange
The more thorough your provider search is, the better your solar panels will ultimately operate. Consider all of these factors in your service provider 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 exams 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 certifications. Two of the most prestigious are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed 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.
Cost of Solar Panels in Port Orange
The style of solar panels you purchase decides how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.
You can also add electric car (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can improve your solar system's efficiency. Not all solar companies include these additional features, so look for a provider that sells them if it's a priority for you.
If you're a resident of Port Orange and are looking into a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $16,050 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.
Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
---|---|
Solar Monocrystalline | $1,092 |
Solar Polycrystalline | $852 |
Thin-Film | $498 |
Solar Battery | $699 |
Solar Home EV Charger | $2,620 |
Financing Solar Energy in Port Orange
Choosing the right financing solution will influence your overall solar system cost and expected savings. Common payment options include leases, loans, power purchase agreements, 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 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 car 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 fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in particular circumstances. Look for installers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Port Orange.
You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities 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 Port Orange
How much money could I save by going solar in Port Orange?
How common is solar energy in Port Orange?
Will a solar PV system boost my Port Orange home value?
What can I do to estimate my home's solar potential?
What's the average solar system size in Port Orange?
What is the average payback period for Port Orange solar panels?
How can I enhance my solar panels' 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
How does "net metering" work, and do I need to participate?
Some states or utilities mandate you to participate in net metering when installing your solar system, while others give you a choice. Either way, once you join, you'll earn a bill credit or check for your excess generation at a retail or wholesale rate.
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