In the race to see which state can top the charts for the most solar powered homes and businesses, Washington is determined to take the lead. To do this, the government and private companies are offering incredible incentives, updated solar-led policies, and multiple strategies to entice people to make the switch to clean, efficient solar energy.
Washington has a bad reputation for being too cloudy for solar panels to work well, but that is a badly held myth disproved over years and years of solar studies. Solar maps of the Pacific Northwest region show that the upper areas of the United States receive more than enough sunlight to effectively power both homes and businesses throughout the year, even factoring in cloud cover and dreary days!
So, to combat rumors and falsely held beliefs, Washington legislators have had to work extra hard to spread the word that solar power works. They have done a great job with this, throwing in extra incentives and policies that reward home and businessowners to go solar – and they even pay you for your electricity!
What Kinds of Rules Does Washington Have About Solar?
Not every state pushes the solar power agenda, although there are numerous widespread benefits to this type of clean energy. When there are favorable policies and rules set in place by the state’s government, more people are apt to turn to solar panels to power their home. Just because your state has a lot of daily sunlight does not necessarily mean the government is helping to make it affordable for you to use solar power. It doesn’t make sense, but there it is.
However, Washington and some of the other darker states, like New York and New Jersey, have implemented rules and policies that encourage home and businessowners to turn away from fossil-fueled, environmentally unfriendly electricity and turn towards the clean energy that is solar power.
Some of the policies that Washington has enacted that help with this agenda include the following:
- Passing a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which mandates that at least 15% of the production of electricity from all utility companies be generated from clean, renewable resources by 2020. Even though 15% is a low target to be aiming for, the fact that it exists at all is a great step in the right direction, and Washington is one of only a handful of states that has an RPS policy.
This policy helps homeowners because it, in effect, tells utility companies that unless they reach that goal, they have to pay the state mega fees. These companies don’t want to do that, but they don’t want to pay you for your electricity, either. However, creating solar incentives to work with homeowners is a better option for them than the potential fees they face if they don’t, so on top of lower electric bills, you also can make money off of your extra power.
- Washington offers “performance payments” for you to use solar power. Currently, the minimum payment is $0.15/kWh, which means that for every kilowatt-hour that you generate with your solar system, you get money back, at least through June 2020.
- Net metering is not available in all states, but Washington encourages this policy. This simply means that you get a credit for all of the energy generated by your solar panels.
- Washington also has solid interconnection policies. These rules determine how easy it is for you to utilize net metering. While the two are similar, some states allow net metering but don’t make it easy for homeowners to actually utilize the procedures. Washington’s interconnection policies are simple and understandable, allowing any solar system, regardless of size, to connect to the power grid and send power to the attached utility company.
These policies show the country, and the citizens of Washington, that the legislators are serious about increasing solar power generation in their state and they will do what is necessary to make it happen.
Washington Proves They are Serious About Solar
Sure, it’s easy to adopt a bunch of policies and expect others to enforce them – anyone can do that. But Washington takes on their own aspect of the financial burden by adding solar incentives and rebates to help ease the startup costs.
Like any home renovation, there is an up-front cost that has to be dealt with when you make the switch to solar. Unlike other home improvements, though, this cost quickly pays for itself, even without incentives, net metering, and rebates. But Washington wants to help homeowners early on in the process, so you have multiple avenues of financial assistance.
Of course, everyone gets the Federal Solar Tax Credit, regardless of where they live in the United States. This credit gives you 30% of your solar system costs back on your income taxes the following year and it can be deferred in case you really just didn’t need to save 30% quite yet.
Additionally, some counties in Washington offer solar rebates. These work like any other rebate – you pay for the cost up front and you receive a check in the mail if you qualify. Some companies take you out of the picture as the middle man, reducing your cost right away and waiting for the rebate check themselves.
Rebates are a great way to entice homeowners to invest in solar power, which then creates new jobs in the solar sector, which then enhances the economy overall. It’s a smart move, and the government encourages this.
Not only do certain counties offer rebates, but if you work with your solar installation company, they may be able to help you determine if you can qualify for other rebates from private businesses and other entities. Nationwide Solar Pros stays up-to-date with the most current offers and discounts available to you.
Paying Your Way to Solar Freedom
Yes, there is always an upfront cost to any home improvements, but how many of your home’s renovations can you say have the ability to make you money, too?
Solar power does just that.
The return on investment for solar power is considered to be one of the highest that you can get with your home. Not only will you qualify for tax credits, rebates, and net metering money, but solar power also puts money back in your pocket and gives you other benefits in the following ways:
- Your monthly electric bills are reduced or eliminated completely. By working with your solar installation company and evaluating your past year of electric bills, you can determine the solar system size that fits your family’s or business’s consumption needs best. If you get the right size and have an average month’s usage, you won’t see an electric bill at all, and any surplus power will go to the utility company if you are signed up for net metering.
This means that if you ever do get a bill (within the stipulated time period) it will be reduced based on how much surplus power you generated, or you will be paid for that excess power if that’s how your utility company’s net metering policy works.
- Your home’s value will increase. No matter where you live, solar panels increase your home’s property value significantly. This amount varies by state and county, but you can expect to be able to receive thousands of dollars more – at a minimum – when you sell your house after you own the system. The average home with a solar system sells for $15,000 more than its non-solar powered counterpart.
Additionally, homes with solar panels sell much faster – up to 20% quicker – than fossil-fuel powered homes.
- The upkeep is minimal. As long as you get regular roof maintenance and inspections, keeping up with your solar panels is not a costly project.
- The environmental benefits are incredible. Like the butterfly effect, your choice to make the switch to clean energy will have far-reaching consequences beyond any that you can foresee. Fossil fuel reserves are depleting, and the use is causing global warming on an unprecedented scale.
Every person who turns to solar or renewable energy to replace their dependence on fossil fuels is making a significant impact. In fact, the incentive of simply reducing their carbon footprint is enough to make millions of people turn to solar power. The financial perks are simply a bonus.
Simply put, it pays in enormous ways to turn to solar – but staying with fossil-fueled electricity means that future generations will pay the cost for our decision.
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Go Solar
Washington’s policy of ensuring at least 15% of the state’s electricity is generated from clean energy is coming to a head. That means that companies who haven’t met their quota yet are going to be scrambling to come up with new ways to entice users to turn to solar. That’s a great thing for you – there’s never been a better time for you to get on board!
Call Nationwide Solar Pros to see how we can help you start reaping the benefits of solar today!
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