What if going solar was as good for your bank account as it is for the environment?
Now, it can be! With so many people switching to solar energy in recent years, the cost of solar panels has dropped dramatically.
Solar energy is an investment that pays for itself many times over the course of the 25 to 30-year lifetime of your panels.
How can you learn about solar without having to do a bunch of research?
Southern Tier Solar Works (STSW) is a non-profit organization with the mission of making solar affordable and easily understandable. STSW streamlines the process of going solar into simple steps and connects you to 5 key financial benefits:
1. Community bulk buying through trusted installers
STSW has competitively selected three solar panel installers who provide discounted pricing and free solar assessments to everyone who enrolls through the STSW program. This allows you to gather individualized information about going solar at no cost, helping you to make an informed decision. If you do choose to go solar, you can access community bulk buying to access below-market pricing.
2. Federal tax incentive
This a government-sponsored tax credit that pays for 30% of the cost of your system. The federal tax incentives end in 2016, so start the process of going solar to get the best deal now.
3. NY State tax incentive
This tax rebate takes care of another 25% of the cost of going solar, up to $5000. (Check with a tax professional to ensure you qualify for tax incentives.)
4. NYSERDA's Megawatt block grant
This pays 50 cents per watt of the cost of your system right off the top. Since the average system is about 7,000 watts, you save a lot of money. However, this grant is decreasing. At the beginning of the summer, it was at 70 cents per watt. Once enough people go solar at this 50 cents-per-watt block, it will go down again.
5. Loans and leasing options
NYSERDA offers low-interest loans to homeowners and businesses to purchase solar panels. Leasing is available directly from the installer partners.
How can you start the solar process?
The easiest way to learn about achieving true energy independence is to attend a Solarize workshop. Our Solarize Catskills workshop was very well attended, and lots of people signed up to start the process of going solar. To find a Solarize workshop near you, go to: www.southerntiersolarworks.org/event