Wednesday, June 22, 2011

You Have the Power to Go Solar

One of the more frustrating trends happening today has to be the ever rising energy prices. Filling a car with gas or receiving that monthly electric bill has become quite a scary experience. Although this daunting expense seems unavoidable, there are ways to help make it hurt a bit less. Solar panels are becoming more affordable than ever. Not only are they now affordable, but solar customers can expect to save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of their solar systems, which are warranted for 25 years. It is an investment where you are all but guaranteed a return for your money – try that in the stock market.


One of the main reasons solar is so affordable is help from the federal and state governments, which support an investment in solar through incentives and rebates! In addition to these rebates, solar adds value to your home (according to the EPA and the National Appraisal Institute, for every dollar you save on your energy bill you add 20 dollars to the value of your home), and you are able to start saving on your utility bills immediately. The federal government alone will refund 30% of the cost of your solar electric or solar hot water system.

There are also state incentives that make solar easier than ever to acquire at a low price. One state that is showing its commitment to going green and saving you money is New Jersey, which offers exemption from the 7% state tax on all solar PV and solar thermal equipment. That is not all - New Jersey has also made a commitment that by the year 2021, 22.5% of its electricity sold will come from renewable sources. Therefore, it offers one of the best SRECS (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate) in the country.

Although New Jersey is making a big statement in the renewable energy world, it is not the alone in making solar a more worthwhile investment for taxpayers. The Pennsylvania Sunshine Program offers a rebate of 35% on your solar thermal or PV installation costs. In New York, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) is offering money back on electricity produced with solar thermal and PV systems as long as certain criteria are met. There is also the NY Solar Jobs Act that, if passed, could create over 20,000 green jobs and boost the local economy. All federal and state incentives can be found at http://www.dsireusa.org/solar/.

Here at Earthsponse, we believe that producing your own solar energy will be one of the most rewarding investments you make. You will be energy independent, you will help to save the planet, and you will save money. How much better can it get? Visit our website, fill out your free virtual solar assessment and our solar experts can tell you! http://earthsponse.com/

-Lisa Dougherty

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