Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy comes with multiple advantages. Let's look at a few of them.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Utilizing solar is a surefire way to minimize your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
- Reduced energy costs: Producing some or all of your own energy will cut power costs long-term. Plus, some states provide net metering programs that allow you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating extra credits toward your energy bill.
- Better energy independence: Adding a solar battery storage system lets you have dependable energy during storms and grid outages.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Evansville Homeowners?
Governments and utilities often reward homeowners for switching to solar. Here are some of the tax credits, rebates, or other programs you could qualify for.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Website: in.govIncentive Amount:
Solar energy systems used for heating or cooling: out-of-pocket expenditures by the owner for the components and labor
Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other solar energy systems: the assessed value of the system
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: nobleremc.comIncentive Amount:
Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $500
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250
Air-Source Heat Pump: $250-$750
Ground Source Heat Pump: $1500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400
Incentive Type: Feed-in Tariff
Website: nipsco.comIncentive Amount:
Wind 3 - 10 kW: $0.23 - $0.25/kWh
Wind 10 kW-200 kW: $0.15 - $0.138/kWh
Solar 5 kW - 10 kW: $0.17 - $0.1564/kWh
Solar 10 - 200 kW: $0.15/kWh - $0.138/kWh
Biomass 100kW - 1 MW: $0.0918/kWh
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 Evansville
Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and cost-efficient solar system. Consider each of these aspects in your contractor search.
Licensing and Training
Indiana does not issue electrical or solar contracting licenses at the state level, but cities and counties might adopt their own licensing programs. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most reputed trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Evansville
Your solar modules' model will affect how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and 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.
If you'd like to charge an electric car or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more efficient and user-friendly. Not every solar provider provides these additional features, so look for a company that installs them if it's crucial for you.
If you're a resident of Evansville and want a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $20,500 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.
Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
---|---|
Solar Monocrystalline | $1,083 |
Solar Polycrystalline | $844 |
Thin-Film | $494 |
Solar Battery | $693 |
Solar Home EV Charger | $2,598 |
Financing Solar Energy in Evansville
Solar providers offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar loans, solar leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand 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. Like an auto or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement 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 appropriate in particular circumstances. Look for providers that offer multiple 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 Evansville.
A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Extra incentives may be available through local governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.
Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
---|---|
1 kW | 2.1 years |
2 kW | 4.1 years |
5 kW | 10.4 years |
10 kW | 20.7 years |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Evansville
How much energy and money could I save per year by switching to solar?
Is solar energy readily available in Evansville?
Should I expect a boost in my property value after adopting solar power?
What can I do to assess my home's solar potential?
Is solar installation a fast job?
How long does it take to pay back a solar loan in Evansville?
Should I get quotes from multiple Evansville solar companies?
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