16 Best Solar Companies in Somerville, MA (Aug 2022 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Somerville

Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will first need to pay to set up your panels. Some main factors that influence the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time include:

• Typical energy usage: The more electricity your home uses on average and the higher your current electricity bills are, the more benefits you'll see from making the switch to solar.
• The kind of solar panels you're planning on getting: Some cost more, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
• The amount of sunlight your roof gets: Due to Somerville's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your energy bills.
• Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 26% of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $22,000 over 20 years with your system, too.

Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping the environment.

Solar Incentives in Somerville

Although installing solar panels is typically a large investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money in the long term due to reduced utility bills and government incentives. On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local programs, which in almost all cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. The table below lists out the incentives you can find in Somerville.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Somerville

There are a few key reasons why many people are interested in solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Somerville, though. The average person has a considerable carbon footprint. Between their car, which releases over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year, and powering their home, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do. Switching to solar is a practical thing you can do to help. Since solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good swap for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 pounds each year. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.