18 Best Solar Companies in Essex, MA (Oct 2022 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Essex

Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you must first pay to install your system. The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:

• How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Essex pays around $1,000 a year on power alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
• The make and model of solar panels you're planning on getting: More efficient panels are more highly priced, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
• Average daily sunlight: Since Essex gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
• Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $22,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.

Although a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the angle of your roof and incentives.

Solar Incentives in Essex

Although solar power is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over several years because of smaller utility bills and government incentives. You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also possibly stack the ITC with other local incentives. The table below shows you the incentives you can benefit from in Essex.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Essex

One of the best reasons to use solar energy is to cut your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment. But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? One thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time on the road and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. After you go solar, your carbon footprint can be reduced by about 40 pounds a year. Since energy from the sun is abundant and generates electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.