INDEPENDENT ENERGY

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SPECIALIST

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOME STANDBY GENERATORS

BEST ELECTRICAL

17 WEST FIRST ST.

MONROE, MI. 48161

Phone: 734-384-9655

Fax: 1-734-322-9543

E-mail:bestelectrical@ymail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solar sizing and tax incentives

             The chart below shows the average cost of different size solar electric systems installed by us.  The purpose of the chart is for a reference to size a solar electric system based on your own preferences of price or replacing a part or all of your electrical bill. It takes in consideration the federal tax credit 30% of the total installed cost (see incentives below for more info). It does not however take in consideration the State or electrical utility incentives that may be available in your local area. Prices are subject to change with out notice. The price reflects just the average cost when purchasing a complete system which we mount the p. v. panels on  standard mounting for a basic installation. If you would like a actual quoted price we provide site surveys to our local area for the fee of $75. plus $20 for every 1/2 hour drive time one way. The site survey would include a suggested mounting area, info on local install codes, a actual quoted price, and an analysis of possible payback time when taking in consideration all the available incentives.

             If your goal is to wipe out your electric bill, then use the "$ worth of electricity @ .11/ KWH" column to match your average electric bill, then follow that row over tell you meet the desired application (grid tie, battery back up, or stand by). Our average prices are applied to this chart which are: $7/watt for grid tie, $9. to $10/watt with battery back up & $12/watt stand alone system. The average price for parts only (with out installation or electrical material) is $4 per watt for a grid tie system. The parts only package would include inverter, standard mounting, and PV panels. The tax incentive refereed to in this chart is the federal tax credit for 30% of the total installed price. The chart doesn't however take in consideration any local or utility rebate incentives.  All figures above are estimates using an average of 4.2 peek sun hours a day, 30day month, our current rates for parts and installation.           

 

 

Incentives

                 The best place to find out what incentives are available for you is at the desire website www.dsireusa.org There you can search for federal tax incentives, state tax incentives, and also Electric utility incentives. There is also incentives for certain criteria such as for businesses or farmers. The following information is just a summary of the current incentives that affect most of the home owners in our local area.

1. The Residential Renewable Energy federal tax credit: this credit is for 30% of the total installed cost of solar water heat, photovoltaic's, wind, fuel cell, geothermal heat pumps, or other solar electric technologies. There is no maximum on the 30% credit if it is installed after 12/31/2008 and it expires 12/31/2016. Excess credits will be carried over to the next year. The Solar Energy Industries Agency (SEIA) has made a three page document which has answers to frequently asked questions regarding the federal tax credit and solar energy.

2. DTE Energy Solar Currents Program: The DTE Solar Currents Program is a utility rebate program for photovoltaic's. You must be a DTE Energy electric utility customer in order to take advantage of the program. The system must be sized not to exceed the site’s electrical needs and be in between 1 and 20kw. The rebate amount is $2.40 per dc watt of the grid tie installation. Which they will pay upon the installation completion. Which reduces the upfront cost. Then you will be in a contract with DTE Energy where they will purchase all of the power produced by the installation at $0.11 per KWH produced for 20 years. There are specific equipment and installation requirement. The expiration of the program is when the funds are exhausted. The program is a first come first serve basis which starts with a solar currents application and a interconnection agreement. You can contact us for more information or visit DTE Energy’s website.

All figures above are estimates using an average of 4.5 peek sun hours a day, 30day month, our current rates for parts and installation which average about $7. per watt for grid tie. The chart only shows grid tie installation because when you take advantage of this program you are contracted into selling all the power that the panels produce for 20years. There for you are not authorized to use battery back up. The average price for parts only (with out installation or electrical material) is $4 per watt for a grid tie system. The parts only package would include inverter, standard mounting, and PV panels.   The tax credit refereed to in this chart is the federal tax credit for 30% of the total installed price.