One of the discussions that comes up in almost every client meeting, when discussing Sustainable Design Principles is solar panels. The question is “Is producing electricity with solar panels on our roof cost effective,” and the answer is finally YES!
Cost
The cost of installing solar panels varies from installer, according to David Dixon of Native, the cost for a system with a standard inverter is around $3.00 per watt. And a system with a micro-inverter is around $3.20 per watt.
Rebates
Austin Energy is rebating $1.25 per watt, on a first come first serve basis.
You may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit to install a solar PV system, including labor costs. Visit the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for federal incentives information.
Cost
The cost of installing solar panels varies from installer, according to David Dixon of Native, the cost for a system with a standard inverter is around $3.00 per watt. And a system with a micro-inverter is around $3.20 per watt.
Rebates
Austin Energy is rebating $1.25 per watt, on a first come first serve basis.
You may qualify for a 30% federal tax credit to install a solar PV system, including labor costs. Visit the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for federal incentives information.
3 kilowatt Roof Mount Solar Array How many panels
How many solar panels will you need? That’s a tough question. It depends heavily on your overall goals. Most homeowners install between 6kw and 9kw of solar panels, however, if you are trying to get to where you are producing the majority of your own electricity you might need as much as 15-18kw.
If we take the 9kw system as an example, the cost after Austin Energy’s rebate and the federal tax credit is around $11,000. The system will produce about 13,000 kw per year, saving you somewhere around $1,300 per year, so about an 8.5 year payback.
How many solar panels will you need? That’s a tough question. It depends heavily on your overall goals. Most homeowners install between 6kw and 9kw of solar panels, however, if you are trying to get to where you are producing the majority of your own electricity you might need as much as 15-18kw.
If we take the 9kw system as an example, the cost after Austin Energy’s rebate and the federal tax credit is around $11,000. The system will produce about 13,000 kw per year, saving you somewhere around $1,300 per year, so about an 8.5 year payback.
The fight against rooftop solar
Recently a new dialogue about rooftop solar is occurring across the country. It to complex an issue to discuss here, yet you should be aware of it prior to making the decision to invest in solar panels.
I always say “you can’t overcome an inefficient house with solar.” Invest in making your home as energy efficient as possible and then consider solar.
In 2012 the City of Austin developed the Value of Solar Tariff or VOS, and set 12.8 cents as the amount it would credit consumers for the solar you produce on your roof (you pay for 100% of all the electricity you use regardless if it is provided by AE or produced on your own roof).
In 2014 AE dropped the VOS to 10.8 cents, with no city council approval and no input from consumers. This change affected every solar consumer's expected payback by 15-20%.
There is nothing to prevent AE from lowering the VOS further in future years, and with the growing effort of utilities throughout the country to minimize and discourage rooftop solar, there is every likelihood that they will.
Recently a new dialogue about rooftop solar is occurring across the country. It to complex an issue to discuss here, yet you should be aware of it prior to making the decision to invest in solar panels.
I always say “you can’t overcome an inefficient house with solar.” Invest in making your home as energy efficient as possible and then consider solar.
In 2012 the City of Austin developed the Value of Solar Tariff or VOS, and set 12.8 cents as the amount it would credit consumers for the solar you produce on your roof (you pay for 100% of all the electricity you use regardless if it is provided by AE or produced on your own roof).
In 2014 AE dropped the VOS to 10.8 cents, with no city council approval and no input from consumers. This change affected every solar consumer's expected payback by 15-20%.
There is nothing to prevent AE from lowering the VOS further in future years, and with the growing effort of utilities throughout the country to minimize and discourage rooftop solar, there is every likelihood that they will.
9.2 kilowatt Ground Mount Solar Array
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