Solar Affordability And Incentives Now Make It Easy To Switch

| Saturday, January 21, 2012
By Nathan Thompson


The price of carbon-based fuels like crude oil, coal, and gas oil continue going up, straining budgets. Savings achieved by switching to solar energy continue increasing as a result. Moreover, governments are assisting people to make the switch to solar. They have introduced a range of measures to improve solar affordability and incentives and in that way encourage the switch to solar. The move is also a positive for a cleaner, greener environment. Finally, it can assist national security because it reduces dependence on oil imports.

Both national and state governments extend incentives. The range of incentives is very large. In the USA, the federal 2005 Energy Bill was a landmark piece of legislation that provides significant benefits for people installing solar systems. It established a 30 percent residential energy credit for solar for two years capped at two thousand dollars. At the regional level, sun states like California, Texas and Florida are leaders in offering incentives.

A specific case study may be helpful for readers. In Florida, a homeowner installing fifty or sixty thousand dollars worth of energy product can expect to receive tax credits and rebates valued at over fifteen thousand dollars. The precise amount will depend on the particular products installed. Solar water heaters, a solar pool heaters and solar power (photovoltaic) systems attract particularly strong incentives.

The federal government offers tax incentives for the purchase of solar photovoltaic systems that generate electricity and solar water heaters. At the state level, Florida provides rebates on the purchase of solar water heaters and pool heaters. Arrangements vary from state to state.

Subsidized finance is also provided. Green loans at government subsidized rates are available to support purchase of solar products. Fannie Mae allows home owners to roll-up the purchase price into their home mortgage loan. This allows the homeowner to finance the purchase at a home mortgage interest rate rather than a higher interest rate applying, for example, to a personal loan.

Switching to solar energy is good for the environment. It assists adverse climate change by reducing carbon emissions. As an example, an average sized home solar hot water heater can reduce annual carbon emissions by around 1 ton (precise figure varies depending on fuel source of existing heater). This is equal to the carbon produced by an average sized petrol-driven motor car that is driven 10,000 miles.

In summary, homes and businesses are increasingly making the switch to solar energy products. Solar affordability and incentives offered by governments help the transition. Solar hot water systems are popular because they are relatively simple to install. Solar hot water can supply about 90 percent of the hot water needs of a typical family, the remaining 10 percent being fueled by an alternative like grid electricity.




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