Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- Better energy independence: Solar panel systems can keep your home running through blackouts and emergencies. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
- Lowered energy bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy to power your home, lowering your periodic 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: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Attleboro Homeowners?
Governments and utilities often reward homeowners for going solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits 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: Personal Tax Credit
Incentive Amount:
15%
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Website: mass.govIncentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Industry Recruitment/Support
Incentive Amount:
100% deduction
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: capelightcompact.orgIncentive Amount:
Appliances
Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling: $125
Electric Clothes Dryers: $50
Clothes Washer: $350
Dehumidifiers: $30
Room Air Purifiers: $40
Room Air Conditioner: $40
Heating & Cooling
Oil Heating System: Up to $800
Propane Heating Equipment: Up to $2,300
Oil Water Heater: Up to $400
Propane Water Heater: Up to $800
Heat Pump Water Heater: Up to $600
Central AC/Heat Pump: Up to $250/ton
Mini-Split Heat Pump: Up to $250/ton
Programmable Thermostats: Up to $25
WiFi Thermostat: Up to $100
Solar Domestic Hot Water heater: $500 - $1,500
Home Electronics
Advanced Power Strips: Varies
Home Insulation
Limited Time Enhanced Incentive: 75%
Year-Round Tenant Incentive: 100%
Enhanced Residential Program: 100%
Lighting
LEDs: Varies
Home Energy Assessment: Free
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Website: masssave.comIncentive Amount:
$25,000 ($50,000 for some expanded HEAT offerings)
Incentive Type: Performance-Based Incentive
Website: masmartsolar.comIncentive Amount:
(Base compensation rate + compensation rate adders - greenfield subtractor) * total kWh generated - value of energy generated
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Website: masssolarloan.comIncentive Amount:
Maximum required: $35,000; maximum possible: $60,000
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: masscec.comIncentive Amount:
New GSHP Rebate: $2,000 per ton with adders to eligible applicants
Retrofit Existing GSHP Rebate: varies with installation costs
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Website: masscec.comIncentive Amount:
Standard Residential:
Pellet Stove: $1,000 - $1,750
Catalytic Woodstove: $750 - $1,250
Non-Catalytic Woodstove: $500-$1,250
Fully Automated Wood Stove: $1,500 - $1,750
Low-Income Residential:
Pellet Stove: $2,500 - $3,250
Catalytic Woodstove: $2,250 - $2,750
Non-Catalytic Woodstove: $2,000-$2,750
Fully Automated Wood Stove: $2,750 - $3,250
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Financing amount locally determined; 20-year financing term
Incentive Type: Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Website: mass.govIncentive Amount:
Varies, depending on market supply and demand
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 Attleboro
Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and valuable solar energy system. Consider all of these criteria in your contractor search.
Licensing and Training
Massachusetts requires new solar PV systems in the Commonwealth to be installed by a licensed electrician and new solar water heaters to be installed by a construction supervisor. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar industry's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.
Cost of Solar Panels in Attleboro
The style of solar panels you choose dictates how much electricity you can generate. 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 recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.
If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar provider offers these extras, so look for a provider that sells them if it's crucial for you.
You can expect to pay about $20,300 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Attleboro. Use the table in this section to get an idea of the amount Attleboro solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
---|---|
Solar Monocrystalline | $1,247 |
Solar Polycrystalline | $973 |
Thin-Film | $569 |
Solar Battery | $798 |
Solar Home EV Charger | $2,993 |
Financing Solar Energy in Attleboro
Choosing the correct financing plan will impact your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include power purchase agreements, leases, loans, and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend paying cash or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they save you from 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 as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to rent 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 do not provide you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We advise working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each consultant about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Attleboro.
You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy devices until the year 2032. Local and state governments and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and dedicated financing plans that could save you more.
Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
---|---|
1 kW | 2.0 years |
2 kW | 3.9 years |
5 kW | 9.8 years |
10 kW | 19.6 years |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Attleboro
How much money could I save by going solar in Attleboro?
How widespread is solar energy in Attleboro?
Should I anticipate a boost in my property value after installing solar panels?
What can I do to predict my home's solar potential?
How long does the solar panel installation process last?
What's the average solar system size in Attleboro?
What's the difference between a PPA and a solar lease?
You don't own the panels with either option, though you can choose to "buy out" of the contract for a fee.
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