If you’re looking for a way to save money on your household bills, you’ve probably considered investing in solar energy. However, did you know that you can also get a residential energy credit from the government to fund your solar installation? All you need to do is meet certain requirements. In this article, we’ll discuss how to get a residential energy credit so you can save money on your household energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
The Requirements
The first step to getting a residential energy credit is to determine whether or not you’re eligible for one. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a federal energy program, a state energy program, or a residential energy program offered through your local utility. More information about these programs can be found at http://eere.energy.gov/, http://www.ct.gov/energy/residential/index.php, and http://www.seia.org/, respectively.
The Benefits
The next step is to determine the various benefits that you’ll receive once you meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for a residential energy credit, you’ll need to install solar photovoltaic (PV) technology on your roof and connect it to the grid. Once this is done, you’ll receive a credit that’s directly proportional to the amount of electricity that you produce. This credit, which is known as a renewable energy credit (REC), can be used to offset your monthly utility bills or donated to a charity of your choice. More details can be found on the Southeastern Energy Association (SEEA) website. http://eere.energy.gov/rebuilding/solar/.
A REC provides more benefits than just helping you to lower your energy costs. A study from the American Institute of Stress found that people who install solar PV technology on their homes report less stress, lower blood pressure, and improved their quality of life. In addition, the report states that people who installed solar PV technology on their homes are more engaged with their neighbors and community members. This is important because if you produce your own energy, you aren’t relying on others for a supply. Therefore, you can be sure that the energy you produce is only beneficial to you.
How to Install Solar
The final step before you can get your renewable energy credit is to determine where and how you’ll install solar. When determining where to install solar, you must take several factors into consideration. These include the sun’s path, how much space you have to work with, and whether or not you want to obstruct the view of people driving by. Ideally, you want to place the panels so that they’re facing south to take advantage of the sun’s rays all year long. If this is not possible, then you should look into other alternatives like south-facing windows or skylights. Another point to consider is how much space you have to work with. Some people opt to install solar on the roof because it provides an opportunity to put up more panels than other places. For instance, some roof spaces provide enough room for four or more panels while other spaces can only accommodate two or three. The choice is up to you. In terms of how to install solar, you should follow the guidelines and instructions of your local utilities or energy providers. Doing this assures that your solar installation will be configured correctly and that you’ll be able to take full advantage of it.
Funding
Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll be able to apply for funding. This can be in the form of a one-time grant or a loan that you have to pay back. You’ll need to submit an application to your local energy provider or federal agency detailing your desire to invest in solar energy. It is important to note that these applications can and often do get rejected for a wide range of reasons. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t continue to try and apply for funding until you succeed or fail. It just means that you have to be persistent.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed how to get a residential energy credit. We discussed the requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible as well as the benefits that you’ll receive from this type of loan or grant. We also discussed how to install solar and how to fund your installation. Not sure if you’re eligible for a residential energy credit or wanting to install solar on your roof? Reach out to your local utility or energy provider for more information. As always, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask them below!