How Do I Read This Bill
Clean energy and a reliably comfortable home starts by controlling your energy costs with solar. Most electric bills cover a few standard components. With a home solar system, these components are generally up front and center:
Service Fees
A home solar system wont remove standard service fees. Service fees are the electric companys charges for connecting your home to the grid. Generally, its a flat monthly cost not based on how much electricity you use.
Taxes
Benjamin Franklin said nothing is certain in this world but death and taxes. Yet, a solar installation sure makes living in your home a lot more fun and financially secure.
Taxes from electric companies are typically based on the amount of grid power used. So, the more electricity generated by your home solar system, the less you pay the tax man.
Here, the financial benefits of using a storage battery are readily evident to reduce your draw from the electric grid.
Electricity Use
After the bottom line on your energy bill, electricity use is the component we look at. The electric company charges based on a volume rate .
However, with a home solar system, your electric bill only includes the number of kilowatt hours youve used from the grid. They dont add in any electricity used from your solar panels.
In fact, they dont even see how much solar energy youve used. So, if you only used power generated by your solar panels, the amount of electricity use on your bill would be zero.
What It All Means
Installing solar panels and battery storage will have a positive impact on your electric bill. Overall, the amount depends on a few variables. The primary factors are: the size of your solar installation, if you have battery storage, your amount of energy consumption, and your electric rates.
In the big picture, your electric bill with a home solar system is based on your energy consumption needs and your electricity production goals. An appropriately designed solar installation can make it possible to absolutely minimize your monthly payments.
And, this financial incentive will only increase as electricity costs rise. Over the lifespan of your system, youll see that investing in solar panels can reward youwith tens of thousands of dollars that would otherwise fly out the window.
After installing solar, feel good supporting a sustainable, clean environment by comparing your previous years electric bill with your new solar panel bill for the same month. Soon, youll just glance to see how much electricity your solar panels are producing and how much your household is using.
Sunrun can help you feel knowledgeable on how solar panels will influence your electric bill. And, well ensure you have enough understanding to know youre on the right path to energy security.
What Is The Cost Of A Solar Panel System For Your New Mexico Home
Solar is just going to replace your monthly electricity bill. If you qualify to get solar, once its installed and turned on you start harvesting electricity from your solar panels instead of buying electricity from the utility company.
You dont pay both. If you switch your cell phone service to another provider, you stop paying for service with the old company and only pay for service from the new company. With solar, this is all you are doing. You are saying goodbye to the giant natural monopoly and taking a large part of your everyday life into your own hands.
Solar panel cost is not crazy expensive like you might think. If it were, no one would be doing it! If you can afford your current electricity bill then you can afford solar, because it costs the same and most likely even less. If you end up paying more monthly than what you are paying now just give it a year or so because the price your utility company charges is likely going up!
And guess what? The federal government is going to try and help you go solar by offering a 26% tax credit. That could be the biggest discount you will ever get in your whole life! Just a couple things to remember here You have to have enough tax liability to claim the credit and if you finance the system your monthly payment depends on how much of that tax credit amount you give to your lender. Well talk about solar tax credits more belowand youll be surprised at how many of them there are and how much they can save you.
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New Mexico Solar Market Development Tax Credit
This credit is new as of 2020, legislation passed in the beginning of the year. It offers up to a 10% tax credit with a value up to $6000. But theres a limitation that encourages you to act now: Only $8 million was allocated to the project and its first come, first serve starting March 1st, so if you want to take advantage of the credit you need to act fast.
What Is The Roi On Solar Panels
You can calculate the return on investment for installing solar panels by calculating your total payback. Calculate the amount you spent to install a solar panel system and then figure out the amount you will save on energy bills monthly. These two numbers show how quickly your savings will cover your initial costs. Electricity rates will vary by region, being higher in the Northeast than in the Northwest. Solar tends to be more cost effective where electricity prices are high and sunshine is abundant.
40 percent of homeowners
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So How Much Does Solar Actually Cost
The short answer? It depends.
The longer answer? On EnergySage, the average solar panel system costs between $25,000 and $30,000 prior to incentives and rebates. That figure may sound like a lot of moneyand it is!but just looking at the upfront, pre-incentive cost of solar doesnt tell the whole story.
Take into consideration, for instance, how much you pay for electricity right now. Compared to a $25,000 cost for solar, an electricity bill of $200 per month may seem low. However, that cost adds up quickly: if you pay $200 per month in electricity, that means youll spend $28,000 in the next ten years alone, and over $120,000 over three decades.
Now how does that $25,000 pre-incentive price tag for solar sound?
Whats more, there are a number of incentives and rebates that can reduce the price you pay for solar by a quarter or more, quickly cutting $5,000 or more off the cost of your system.
Are Solar Panels Worth It
This is what I’ve been asked by many friends and family. Many of them simply refer to the lack of efficiency on cloudy days or that the payback period would be too long because they use most of their electricity at night.
But most of those arguments are based on old solar technology standards.
Here’s why I think a solar energy system is worth it.
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How Much Do Solar Panels Save Per Month
Every year, more and more people install solar panels on their property to reduce their carbon footprint. In addition to being eco-friendly and offering independence from the power grid, switching to solar lowers your electricity bills.
But how much do solar panels save per month? Heres what you need to know.
Type Of Solar Panel Systems
The type of solar panel system you chose will greatly affect the cost. Grid-tie, grid-tie solar and energy storage, and off-grid solar are all options differ in price. Remember, the best solar panels for your property will fulfill your needs and meet your price point.
Lets break down the primary purpose of each system:
- Grid-tie: You have access to the utility grid. Your primary goal is to save money on your electric bill
- Grid-tie solar and energy storage: You have access to the utility grid and your primary goal is to have backup power when there is an outage.
- Off-grid: You do not have access to the utility grid. Your primary goal is to live where it is not accessible.
Once you identify your goals, you can make a final decision based on price.
If you have access to the grid, you can lower the cost of solar panels by using a grid-tie system. When you choose a grid-tie system with energy storage, you have the potential to save even more. Storing electricity in the grid doesnt cost anything, and you may be able to sell your stored energy . An off-grid system is a significant extra cost.
With an off-grid system, youll need to purchase batteries which represent almost half the cost of an off-grid solar system.
If you have the option, we recommend connecting a grid-tied system. However, off-grid solar will still save you money in the long run if you want to live away from a utility grid.
Browse our grid-tie solar kits and off-grid solar systems for up-to-date pricing.
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How Do Seg Tariffs Work
All energy firms with more than 150,000 customers have to offer a SEG tariff, but smaller firms can choose to do so too.
A fixed rate SEG tariff pays a set amount per kWh of electricity you export to the grid.
A flexible rate tariff pays a different rate depending on how valuable the electricity is to the system at different times. So you could get more money if there is a high demand.
Multi-rate tariffs, meanwhile, offer set rates for different times for example day and night rates, or weekend and weekday rates.
And if you dont want to sell the electricity, you could buy an electricity storage unit and keep hold of it.
This can be a good strategy if you find you produce more than you need in the brighter summer months when theres more heat and light, to cover you during the winter months when youll likely generate less.
Estimating Your Solar Cost
There are two main parts of solar energy for your home. Most of the expense that comes along with solar panels is the cost to install solar panels, and the cost to purchase the panels themselves. You can even reduce the cost of solar installation by taking the proper steps beforehand.
The upfront cost is really the only struggle for many homeowners. Otherwise, there are minimal long-term expenses, and systems are designed to last for 20 years or more.
The best way to calculate how much your solar panels will cost is by taking a look at your energy usage. How much energy do you regularly consume? Your energy usage is typically listed on your utility bill, this is important to note.
The average residential 5kW size system cost per watt is between $3 and $5. This results in system costs of $15,000 to $25,000 range. Despite this number, this is the cost before federal tax credits and incentives.
After the tax credits and incentives, the cost of a 5.76kW system in the United States will range between $10,068 to $12,305. This is after claiming the 22% federal solar tax credit for installs during the 2021 calendar year. This leads to the average solar panel costing $2.49 per kilowatt-hour of solar installed.
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Solar Power For The Home: Costs
Solar power is capital intensive, and the main cost of owning a system comes upfront when buying the equipment. The solar module will almost certainly represent the largest single component of the overall expense.
Other equipment necessary for installation includes an inverter , metering equipment , and various housing components along with cables and wiring gear.
Some homeowners also consider battery storage. Historically, batteries have been prohibitively expensive and unnecessary if the utility pays for excess electricity that is fed into the grid . The installation labor cost must also be factored in.
In addition to installation costs, there are some further costs associated with operating and maintaining a PV solar array. Aside from cleaning the panels regularly, inverters and batteries generally need replacement after several years of use.
While the above costs are relatively straightforwardoften a solar installation company can quote a price for these for a homeownerdetermining subsidies available from the government and/or your local utility can prove more of a challenge. Government incentives change often, but historically, the U.S. government has allowed a tax credit of up to 30% of the system’s cost.
How Much Do Solar Panels Save Over Time
The amount that a family can save from the installation of solar panels varies greatly based on several factors.
The main factors that must be considered are:
- Did you lease, finance, or buy outright your solar panel system?
- How much energy, on average, is your solar panel generating?
- How much electricity, on average, is your home using?
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When To Install Solar Panels
Contrary to popular belief, winter is actually the best time to install solar panels. There is simply less demand for this service in winter, so the installation should cost less as a whole. Even if you live in a region that tends to be cloudy and/or chilly, your solar panels will still be able to generate energy and in some cases, will even generate more energy than they would in warmer months.
Installing solar panels during winter is, in addition to being cost-effective, efficient. With installation companies doing fewer jobs in the off-season, your panels are likely to be installed faster, and will be up-and-running in no time.
Pros And Cons Of Solar Panels For Your Home
Like most things, solar power has its benefits and drawbacks. At the same time, some economic costs may be defrayed by the social benefits to the environment and lowering your carbon footprint, which exceeds pure monetary evaluation.
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Green energy that lowers your carbon footprint
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Net metering allows you to sell back excess energy produced
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You may be eligible for certain tax breaks
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Installation and maintenance costs still high
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Solar only works when the sun is out
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Parts of the system need to be replaced every few years
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Some tax breaks may have expired or will be expiring
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Your Households Energy Consumption
How much electricity does your household consume on a regular basis? What are your power necessary equipment and personal habits? Do you conserve energy by hang drying your clothes? Or, do you prefer warm, fluffy towels straight from the dryer?
Obviously, your energy consumption is critical in calculating your electricity bill. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. average monthly household electricity consumption is 897 kilowatt hours.
So, before investing in a home solar system, clarify your households energy consumption. Ensure your home solar installation can generate your electricity requirements. Some households only wish to cover a percentage of their energy consumption. However, many in the solar market want to cover it all and envision negative meter readings.
Home solar systems are variable. Yet, a home solar installation that covers 100% of your energy consumption needs is the straightest route to lower electric bills.
The Solar Tax Credit: Solars Best Incentive
The best incentive for going solar in the country is the federal solar tax credit, or the investment tax credit . This incentive allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing solar panels from your federal taxes, and theres no cap on its value. For example, a 10 kW system priced at the national average comes out to $27,600. However, with the ITC, youd be able to deduct 26 percent of that cost, or $7,176, from your taxes. This essentially reduces the cost of your system to the $20,424 price tag we highlighted at the beginning of this article.
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How Long Does It Take Solar Panels To Pay For Themselves
Solar panels last long enough for you to recover your investment in them.
The payback period for going solar is different for every household. It varies according to the following factors:
- Total system cost
- Amount of your federal tax credit
- Annual cost savings
Its important to point out that the tax credit reduces your liability, but it does not result in a refund. Youll be able to take full advantage of your credit if you owe the federal government at least that much in taxes for the year.
If youre able to take advantage of the reduced tax liability, a basic formula looks like this:
Payback Period = / Annual Cost Savings
A solar panel system costing $20,000 might only cost the equivalent of $14,800 after taking full advantage of federal tax credits. If your estimated cost savings is $1,500 per year, it will pay for itself in just under ten years.
Sometimes, calculating the payback period isnt always straightforward. The time frame can be shorter or longer because of cost savings, which depend on the power produced by the system, state incentives, and the electricity rate increase.
The Cost Of Installing Solar Panels For A Business
The average size of a commercial solar system is between a 50 kW and 100 kW . Solar systems of this size will typically cost between $120,000 and $220,000 before incentives are utilized. With the available incentives, solar owners could receive 26% to 75% of the systems cost back within the first year after installation.
The average agricultural and commercial solar owner can expect to save $150,000 to $350,000 over the 30+years of the solar systems life.
Without solar, the average business and farmer will spend $240,000 to $500,000 in electricity over 30 years.
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Which Option Saves More Money Over Time
While leasing may seem like the cheaper option when comparing the upfront costs of obtaining a solar system, you may be wondering which option will save you the most money over time.
Even though it requires a larger initial financial investment, if you have the cash or ability to obtain a loan, buying your solar panel system will save you the most money in the long run.
This is especially true if your solar panel system can generate enough electricity to power your entire home.
It takes the average American household approximately 10 years to recoup the initial investment associated with installing a solar panel system. Assuming your system lasts the full 25-30 years of the warranty, this means that the average American household will enjoy 15-20 years of free electricity as a result of installing a solar panel system.
While leasing a solar panel system can result in significant monthly savings as well, John Farrell, of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, says that owning your solar panel system results in about 50% more savings than that of leasing.
