Home Solar Power Options

Home Solar Power options (image from mjmonty on Flickr)

These days, it is easier than ever to switch to solar electricity.  Home solar power options abound!  Whether you are thinking about installing solar panels on your rooftop, solar roof shingles, or simply tapping into a utility-based renewable energy certificate program, you don’t have to power your home with dirty coal or gas any longer.

In fact, you may live in one of the 29 states in the U.S. that have mandatory renewable energy electricity standards (RES).  That means that utilities in your home state may be required to generate a percentage of electricity from renewable resources.  If you take steps to purchase that greener power from your utility, you can be tapping into solar energy without delay.

So many ways to switch to solar power (image from Pink Dispatcher on Flickr)

If you own your abode, you have several home solar power options.  First and foremost, many residential property owners consider installing solar panels on their rooftop.  Prices have fallen dramatically recently, and government all levels have adopted incentive programs and offer tax rebates to further encourage a switch to solar power, with even more cost-saving programs on the horizon!

If you are concerned about the cost of solar panels, there are plenty of ways to save.  From solar loans to solar leases, you can minimize upfront costs and start to save immediately on your electricity bills.

Solar Loans:  As with any major purchase, you may be able to qualify for a loan with good credit (and perhaps a sizeable down payment).  Some utilities, private firms and solar installers – even government – may offer loan programs for solar panels.  That could minimize the up front “hit,” but you will still want to cut down the overall costs, if possible.

Programs with No Up-Front Costs: Perhaps your city or county will offer a so-called FIRST or PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy), program under which municipal bonds for home solar power systems that leave the owner paying little or no up-front costs. The initial costs are instead carried by the municipality, which are then paid back through an increase in the homeowner’s property taxes.

Here is a synopsis of how the program works in Sonoma County, California:

So many options for installing solar panels (image from mjmonty on Flickr)

Group Discount Programs:  Shop Costco?  Then you know about the premise of buying in bulk to reduce overall costs.  The approach is similar with respect to solar panel installation.  Simply find or create a group of other homeowners who want to purchase solar panels and then use a service like One Block Off the Grid or SolarCity to help you negotiate a discount.   They can even help you with rebate and other incentive paperwork!

Solar Leasing:  Like leasing an automobile, you can reduce the cost of solar panels by leasing a solar array, as well.  Under typical solar lease contracts, the utility owns, installs and maintains the panels.  The homeowner pays a monthly or annual fee as “rent,” for the term of the lease.  The rental fee is usually far less than annual electricity bills.  At the end of the lease, the owner may opt to purchase the panels outright for a reduced fee, or return them to the utility.

In summary, there are many home solar power options for those of you who want to switch to solar electricity, but are concerned about the cost.  Which one sounds best to you?

Tags: home solar power, property assessed clean energy, renewable electricity standards, renewable energy certificate program, solar electricity, solar lease, solar loan, solar panels rooftop, solar power options, solar roof shingles