While the Mid-Atlantic States were under a blizzard warning
and getting pounded with the most snowfall they have seen in years-I was
dreaming of Solar Energy! It has been a
fantasy of mine to have my home heated/cooled and to run my electronics from the energy harvested from a
bunch of solar panels soaking up the sun’s rays. While the sun provides, I can just sit back
and bask in the savings. The threat of
the thermostat dipping and power outages no longer scare me, I remain calm
and cozy in my self reliant home, right? Well maybe, but perhaps what is
visible on the surface may differ down below, I decided it was time to answer a few questions.
With all the free time I had during this epic storm I started my research. I would
unearth the hidden facts about solar energy costs vs. the benefits. With a couple
clicks I dove head first into a sea of information from a multitude of sources.
The first and most important bit of information collected
was that this could be the last chance to receive a huge federal investment tax
credit worth 30% of the cost of buying and installing a solar panel system for
your home. Unless there is an extension, the 30% refund will expire after
December 31, 2016. This
incentive has been the direct cause for the boom in the solar/passive energy
industry with major increases in job availability thus lowering the cost of materials. Home owners have taken advantage of these tax
refunds and acquired sizable returns on
their investments. Leading me to conclude that my fantasy is not only good for the
environment but good for the purse. Home
owners often think of the valuable investment returns associated with a remodeled kitchen and/or bath. But installing
a solar energy system in your home could reap the most when it is time to sell. Don’t plan to sell your home in the next five years? That's fine, your investment
will, on average, pay for itself between 5-9 years insuring that your output was worth it. If you sell or stay put, you win!
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| Solar Roof Tiles-www.architectureanddesign.com |
After searching for important info. from the government and
from leaders in the industry, my suggestion would be to do your homework, there
is quite a bit of information out there.
Talk with someone who has gone through the research, purchase, and
filing for government refunds, their trials could lead you to a smoother
transition and easier transactions. Now
that we are almost a month into 2016, if you have had that “alternative energy”
itch, it could be the perfect time to scratch it. As with any deadlines there will be a surge
at the end of the year to complete projects to make them eligible for any and all
reimbursements, so don’t delay. I have
compiled a few interesting and informative articles to aid in your initial
research, and who knows maybe this will be the year that we Soak Up The SUN!
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| Forbes, Places & Spaces, May 2014 |
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