15 Best Solar Companies in Essex, VT (Mar 2023 Review)

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Essex

Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you first need to pay to install your system. Some important factors that affect the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:

• Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
• Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 30% of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $23,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
• Your power bills: This will affect how much money you might save. In Essex, the average resident can save about $1,400 a year on their electricity bills.
• Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be a high-cost option for families that don't use a lot of energy a month.

There are several good benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your wallet. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.

Solar Incentives in Essex

If you're planning on making the switch to solar energy, a variety of government incentives and subsidies can immensely lower the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment. These incentives mostly include cash rebates, tax benefits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can cut the cost you pay for installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on your location. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in Essex.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Essex

Many want to do what they can for the planet, which for many is the main reason for installing solar panels. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? Your energy usage is an important factor to keep in mind. The more power your home uses, the larger your impact when you make the switch to solar power. In Essex, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 40 pounds a year after going solar. As you can see, going solar has so many other benefits besides saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the planet too.