Are you considering getting Solar Energy Grants for Homeowners? There’s no doubt that non-renewable energy is getting more and more expensive, therefore renewable energy such as the solar energy is –on paper– a perfect solution. However, our current solar energy technology and the business size are still far from the ideal, making solar energy units and its installation expensive.
That said, solar energy can actually help you to reduce your energy bills by providing free heat for your home and free hot water. This can be a good long-term investment because there’s one thing for sure: energy price will be higher and higher.
For the record, heating is one of the most consumptive applications, and cutting that out of your monthly bill will surely save you a lot of money. In addition to that, there are many homes with solar energy units that have excess electricity. This electricity can be sold to local utilities company, adding more money for your family and you can help your community too!
In order to help you cope with your solar unit cost, you may want to consider getting grants for it. Grants come from various sources, but the most reliable ones usually come from the Federal and state government. Below are some of your options:
Solar Energy Grants for Homeowners
The Federal Government grant for this cause is available only if you have purchased and install the solar energy system. If you have, then you can apply for the indirect grants that will give you tax credit, which will reimburse 30 percent of the installation cost. However, this program expires next year, and we haven’t gotten any information if it is extended or not. We sure do hope that this program continues.
It is also important to note that the program requires homeowners to have a system with a minimum 30% efficiency. The system should also be the main support your home energy (at least 50%). Fill out the IRS Form 5695 to see the amount of tax credit you can receive.
Meanwhile, there are other grants coming from State or Local government. The eligible participant will receive incentives from the utility company. We suggest you contact your local or state energy office and ask about it.
Farmers and ranchers living in rural areas may get an additional grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Their REAP grant can cover up to a quarter of the total cost for the project. The maximum value for solar energy systems is $500,000.
Another department that provides a financial funding for solar energy is the Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Under the Housing Recovery Act and through the Affordable Housing Preservation will help eligible homeowners with their alternative energy tech, including solar energy systems.
If you are from tribal lands and are interested in learning about the solar energy system you can go to the Department of Energy’s Tribal Energy Program. This program will educate, train, evaluate and develop the solar energy resources.
As you can see, there are many programs available for solar energy grants for homeowners.
References:
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
- Federal Solar Energy Grants for Homeowner
- Image: inman.com
