How the IRA Helps Property Owners Lower Energy Bills

The United States Congress recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which among several other things, aims to promote clean and renewable sources of energy. This is great news for homeowners who have been thinking about installing home solar systems, but perhaps needed a little push to do so. And by “push” we mean attractive incentives that will help you save up to 30% on solar installation costs.  Let’s take a look at what’s in the IRA and the benefits you can access by installing residential solar panels in 2022. 

Inflation Reduction Act 

The Inflation Reduction Act was passed in August 2022, and it’s touted as being a game-changer for both the solar industry and solar manufacturing in the United States. Some of its key provisions include changes to tax laws that will impact solar manufacturing, and incentives to combat climate change. 

Investment Tax Credit

The Investment Tax Credit has been increased from 26% to 30%, meaning if you install a home solar system you can claim back 30% of your installation costs. This tax credit applies to both residential and commercial solar systems, and it will be in effect until the end of 2032. 

Additionally, battery-based solar energy storage systems also qualify for the ITC on their own – you don’t need to have purchased one as part of a new solar installation to apply for the tax credit. 

Clean Electricity Production Credit

The solar power industry is now eligible for the Clean Electricity Production Credit. All solar power projects that meet wage requirements will receive a tax credit of 2.5 cents / kWh for the first 10 years of the project’s duration. This credit will be increased according to inflation year-on-year. 

Domestically Produced Hardware

To encourage an increase in US-based solar manufacturing, solar manufacturers will receive various tax credits for producing the components of a solar system, including solar panels, inverters, and racking components. 

Community Solar Projects

Solar panels that direct their energy into community solar projects for low-income people will receive an additional 10% tax credit, meaning the total tax credit could potentially be around 60! 

If you’d like to know more about how installing solar panels can help you lower your energy bills, or if you have any other questions about solar panel installation in NJ, please contact our team at Green House Solar today or visit: https://greenhouse.solar/

How to choose the best home solar panels for you

We’re thrilled that you’ve made the decision to install a home solar system! You’ll soon be joining many other homeowners across the country who enjoy the benefits of completely clean, free, renewable energy and you’ll be doing your part to make positive choices for the environment. 

A question many people ask is: what are the best home solar panels for me? As with many things there is no singular “best” home solar panel, and the answer depends on several factors that our team will discuss below. If you’d like to learn more about which home solar panels are best for you, our team will be happy to assist. 

Cost per watt

Your budget will be the biggest determining factor in which solar panels you choose, and panels come in many different sizes. Full-size panels are generally in the range of 275-400 watts, so to deduce the true cost, you can divide the total price of the panel by the number of watts it outputs. You may have the budget for full-size panels or you may want to go with a smaller option. We can work with all different budgets at Green House Solar. 

Efficiency

You obviously want your solar panels to be efficient because they’ll be powering your whole house with renewable energy. Check the efficiency ratings of the different brands you’re considering – between 15-22% is considered a good efficiency rating. 

Temperature Coefficient

Your solar panels will be subjected to all different types of weather conditions and varying temperatures, especially as our summers get hotter and our winters get more severe. Very hot temperatures can make your solar panels less efficient, so if you live in a place where it gets hot on a regular basis, we recommend asking your solar installer which panels are best suited for hot climates. 

Warranties

Home solar panels come with a workmanship warranty and a performance warranty. The workmanship warranty protects your panels against any manufacturer defects and other physical problems, while the performance warranty ensures your home solar system continues working above the efficiency rating for their entire lifespan. 

Company History 

When choosing a solar installer, we recommend selecting a company that has a long, successful history of installing home solar panels in your area. The company you choose will be with you every step of the way until your solar system is complete, so picking a company you feel comfortable with and that you trust is very important.

For more information about the various types of home solar panels, or if you have any questions about which ones are best for your home, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. We look forward to hearing from you.

What documentation do I need when installing solar panels?

If you’ve made the decision to install a home solar system, obtaining the necessary documentation is an important first step. Each year, thousands of homeowners go off the grid and make the switch to solar, but before you can have your solar panels installed, there is certain documentation that needs to be completed. In this article, our experienced solar technicians will explain the permits and the documents you’ll need, and if you have any questions – our team is happy to help. 

Permits and documents: the logistical paperwork required for your solar panel installation

The first step is to contact your county and city government offices and ask what their requirements are. If you’re working with a licensed solar company, then chances are they know the requirements and can help you understand them. It’s worth noting that not all cities require permits.

If your city requires you to obtain a permit, you’ll now need to prepare all the documents for your permit application. These typically include a roof plan, a site plan, a construction plan, an electrical plan, and a location plan, among others. Your solar installer should be familiar with the process and may be able to assist you in submitting your permit application. 

Next, your local government may ask you to attend a hearing before issuing your permit for solar panel installation. If this is the case, your solar installer can attend on your behalf and answer questions, such as what your panels will look like, but we also encourage you to attend the meeting as well. 

Solar panel permit approval and interconnection

Once your permit has been approved, your solar installer will pay for and pick up your permit, which needs to be on site during the installation of your solar panels. The permit will include information about which inspections are required during and after installation, and your solar company can help you schedule the necessary inspections. 

Many solar panels draw energy from the grid as a back-up electricity source, so you’ll also need to complete an interconnection agreement, which is between you and your utility company. This agreement notifies the utility company that you’re installing a home solar system and will be connecting it to their energy grid. 

For more information about the documentation needed to install a home solar system, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. We’d be happy to walk you through each stage of the solar panel documentation process.

solar-powered home building needs

As we move away from non-renewable energy sources, solar-powered homes are growing in popularity for many reasons. Homeowners across the country are interested in how they can power their houses as cleanly and efficiently as possible, but there is still some confusion and uncertainty about home solar systems and the components you’ll need to build a solar-powered home. In this article, we’ll explain the basic components of a solar system and how they work to power your home or small business. 

Continue reading “The basics needed to build a solar-powered home”