Tag Archives: solar incentives

Shopping for Solar Panel System: Don’t Just Focus on Dollars per Watt

Leave a reply
Reading Time: 3 minutes

When shopping for solar photovoltaic (also known as solar panel, solar electric) systems, many businesses and homeowners focus mainly on price. To that end, dollars per watt is a key metric when comparing quotes because it allows the consumer to adjust for differences in system size. While price is certainly an important factor, maximizing the value of your investment both financially and environmentally, involves consideration of several other, equally important factors. Here are some that we think are vital to making the right decision about your solar panel system.  Continue reading →

EnergySage and Massachusetts Sierra Club announce solar partnership

Leave a reply
Reading Time: 2 minutes

EnergySage is pleased to announce the development of a formal relationship with the Massachusetts Sierra Club to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic (electric), solar thermal (hot water) and geothermal-heat pump (space cooling and heating) systems. The joint effort will focus on proactive outreach, education and free advocacy services for owners and decision-makers at commercial properties, including businesses, religious institutions, government buildings, schools and non-profits. The details of this partnership can be viewed here. Continue reading →

Timing Is Everything: When to Start Researching Your Clean Energy Options

Leave a reply
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Even though a pretty powerful V.I.P. had his back, Noah didn’t wait for the rain to start falling before he started planning his ark. After all, timing is everything, and it’s always good to be ahead of the game. The same holds true when you’re thinking about switching to a clean energy system.

While you might not be ready to buy right away, it’s still in your best interest to begin your research process sooner rather than later. Here’s why: Continue reading →

MAJOR MYTH: Solar Panel Systems Are Only a Good Investment Because of Rebates and Incentives

2 Replies
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Lately, there’s been a lot of noise in the marketplace about whether or not solar panel systems would make financial sense without the government tax incentives and rebates that are available today. Even the Wall Street Journal seems to have jumped on the band wagon.  Continue reading →

List of Financing Options for Clean Energy Systems

1 Reply
Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Breakdown of Solar Financing Options

Most people who are sold on the financial, environmental, and community benefits of clean energy systems such as solar photovoltaics, small wind and geothermal, may still find the upfront cost to be a stumbling block. Before you become discouraged, make sure that you’ve done the math. There are many rebates and incentives available, that can significantly reduce the cost of your system, anywhere from 30%-50%. If you still feel that that you can’t afford the upfront investment, you still have options. Rather than buying a clean energy system outright, you may be able to A) borrow the money you need to purchase your system or B) you could lease the system with no upfront cost to you. Both options ensure that you can still save a significant amount on your energy bills.

Understanding your financing options can go a long way toward getting over this final hurdle. Continue reading →

Solar Energy Systems: The Good and Bad News About What’s Keeping Consumers from Installing Solar Panel Systems.

Leave a reply
Reading Time: 2 minutes

A recent EnergySage survey found that close to 90% of the consumers surveyed had at least some level of interest in a buying a solar panel system (and the same applies to other clean energy systems like solar hot water, solar thermal, geothermal, small wind turbine systems). So, if interest is so high, why aren’t more people investing in a solar energy system? Continue reading →

Solar Panels: Smart Investment or Big Expense?

1 Reply
Reading Time: 3 minutes

We all know that perception is everything. There’s a huge difference in how people view a $10,000 investment versus a $10,000 expense. So could solar power systems be suffering from a perception problem? EnergySage set out to find out just that.

In a survey of 150 consumers interested in solar energy and other clean energy systems (like solar hot water, small wind turbines and geothermal) for their home or businesses, EnergySage found that 50% of respondents thought of solar panel systems as an investment, 30% considered it an expense, and 20% did not know enough to tell the difference between the two. Continue reading →