Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.
- 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 systems with battery storage function through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to depend on the power grid for your safety and comfort.
- Lowered energy bills: You can skip the added cost of grid-tied power by producing some electricity right where you use it.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to Brockton Homeowners?
Massachusetts homeowners who choose solar could qualify for reimbursements, rebates, special financing and tax credits. Here are just a few of the area's incentive programs.
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 Brockton
The price and performance of solar panels often rely on the solar company that mounted them. Here are some key items to keep in mind while shopping for a solar company.
Your photovoltaic panels' style will affect how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels aren't meant for large home installations, but they're excellent for small projects like sheds and RVs.
Additional accessories, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will raise your overall investment. By choosing the right ones, you can make your system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar provider offers these additional features, so look for an installer that has them if it's important for you.
Licensing and Training
Massachusetts requires new solar photovoltaic systems in the Commonwealth to be installed by a licensed electrician and new solar water heaters to be installed by a construction supervisor. Solar providers can also earn accreditations from standards organizations and trade groups. The top ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.
Financing Options
Choosing the best financing option will impact your overall solar system cost and potential savings. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, cash payments, and leases. We advise paying with cash or using a solar loan for the highest return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also have full ownership of your system and can apply for solar incentives to reduce your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We recommend working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each consultant about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Brockton
How much money could I save by going solar in Brockton?
Is solar energy widely available in Brockton?
Will solar panels improve my Brockton home worth?
What if I live in a heavily-wooded or dark
Is solar panel installation a fast job?
What's the average solar system size in Brockton?
How can I enhance my solar array's performance?
- upgrade to a more efficient inverter trim or cut down trees in the way of your panels ,
- optimize the panels' position with your solar installer ,
- regularly clean your solar panels ,
- use energy-efficient appliances
What are some "red flags" to watch for as I research companies?
- [RandomChoice||High-pressure sales tactics|Aggressive sales pitch|Pushy sales approach|Pressuring you into signing a contract]
- [RandomChoice||Dodging questions|Not being straightforward|Being evasive] about {"cost, warranties, references, the crew's [RandomChoice||credentials and training|training and credentials]"|shuffle_list("or")}
- [RandomChoice||Limited or no customization|"One-size-fits-all" approach|Inflexible options]
- [RandomChoice||Not thoroughly inspecting your site|Superficial, rushed site evaluation|Rushing through the site assessment]
- [RandomChoice||No references or testimonials|More mixed or negative reviews than positive ones|Limited customer feedback|Limited online information|No business filing with your local secretary of state]
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