Solar Energy Solutions for Massachusetts Homes

There are a number of factors that are driving residents to look for solar energy solutions in Massachusetts. Massachusetts currently ranks 6th in the nation in solar energy stored capacity due to net metering. The state has set even more aggressive goals at 1.6GW by 2020 in comparison to the previous goal of 400 MW they set in the past and have surpassed. The good news is that the price of going solar is falling at a time when the state is striving to shift their energy reliance to a more sustainable energy source.

Is Solar Energy the Right Energy Solution for You?

Before you start looking for a solar energy supplier for your home, you need to start by having it accessed to determine whether the specifics of the site are a good match for solar and to determine your options for federal rebates when you make the conversion. In an attempt to persuade more home owners to switch to a clean, renewable solar energy choice, participants will receive a 30% Federal tax incentive to make the transition more affordable. However, there are some guidelines to consider that will help you determine if it is a viable option that will work for you in the long run. To make sure, contact an assessment company like http://sunbugsolar.com to evaluate your home. These are some of the details they will be looking for.

1.    How much of your home’s surface is facing south? The more southern exposure the system has the more energy it will produce. The ideal guideline is to place the solar energy system on a surface with 40° directly south to achieve optimal energy production. There are many solar energy solutions in Massachusetts for homeowners so that those installed on a flat surface can be tilted to provide the necessary southern exposure.

2.    How much shading is there on your house? – Most homes are not located in a wide open field, but in neighborhoods where other structures and/or trees can restrict the amount of sun that reaches them. Although you may have the option to remove trees that limit exposure of the sun to your home, tall buildings provide a greater challenge that you probably have no option in changing. Look at your home and determine what might be causing shade and what options you have to eliminate them.

3.    How much roof space do you have available? The design of the roof can determine whether solar energy is a possibility for you. Roofs with multiple dormers or lots of angles are more difficult to work around. While it is possible to work around chimneys, vent pipes and other structures, the more clear space you have available the better.

Getting the Most from Your Solar Energy Solutions in Massachusetts

Although more individuals are taking an interest in “going green” and decreasing the country’s reliability on fossil fuels, the financial incentives are a large reason that so many residents in Massachusetts have made the transition to solar. There are multiple sources from which residents receive incentives including tax breaks and through the SREC program. Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) are the benefits to the environment that come from producing a single megawatt hour of electricity with Photovoltaic technology.

SRECs are bought and sold on a market much like stock certificates through the administration of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). While not an actual measure of electricity, the SRECs provide the user with financial incentives. They can be earned by Massachusetts resident who installs a qualified solar electric system and produces electricity. In addition, they must register the system with the DOER and provide a monthly report of solar electric production.

Tax breaks for Massachusetts residents with a qualifying solar system are 30% from the federal government and 15% from the state for electric and hot water systems. There are also credits given to home owners who generate more solar energy than they need. Metering benefits account for the position of Massachusetts as being one of the most affordable states in which to use solar energy. Additionally, Commonwealth solar hot water provides rebates for qualifying homes and buildings for use of solar powered hot water heaters.

Lower Energy Bills

One of the biggest advantages to Massachusetts residents is the savings they will see on their monthly energy bill once they make the switch to solar. Once they find the best solar energy solutions in Massachusetts for their situation, they will pay far less for the same energy than they would with other fuel sources. The specifics of any situation, including the size of the system and the amount they receive in rebates, determines just how affordable solar can be. Taking advantage of all the incentives available will also help to reduce the cost of creating solar energy.

For some residents, the cost of initial installation is the biggest financial obstacle in spite of the rebates and tax credits which they will receive later on. In these cases, solar financing is well-worth the effort to take advantage of the solar energy solutions Massachusetts has to offer their residents. Another option is to lease the solar equipment needed to produce solar energy without making a large initial investment.

Water Heating Solar Energy Solutions for Massachusetts Homeowners

The colder climate in Massachusetts makes many people think the use of solar energy to heat water will not be an effective way to increase energy savings. In reality, the opposite is true. Since the water enters the home at a colder temperature than it would in warmer climates, more energy is required to heat it to the desired temperature (usually 120°F). This also means that there is an even greater savings in the amount of electricity, gas or oil used to heat the water. In addition to the added incentives, this additional savings in energy is a good reason to include water heating in your solar energy solutions for your Massachusetts home.

For any Massachusetts resident thinking of installing a solar energy system, getting the advice of an experienced solar energy company to assess your situation and provide you with a simple explanation of your financial incentives and commitment will help you make the best choice from the many solar energy solutions Massachusetts home owners have available to them.