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Thank you for your interest in Self-Reliance’s Photovoltaic Program.
Since 2002, Self-Reliance has been proudly facilitating photovoltaic system installations in our region. In 2004, Self Reliance became a partner of the US Department of Energy Million Solar Roofs Initiative, with the goal of facilitating 510 solar installations in the region by 2010.
 In 2008 the new Commonwealth Solar Initiative was introduced. This Initiative offers a revised rebate program that supports the installation of photovoltaic systems up to 10 kilowatts (5 kW for residential applications). Below is a table outlining the base rebate available under this new initiative.
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Residential Rebates ($ per watt) through Commonwealth Solar Initiative (effective January 2009)
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Base Incentive
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$ 1.00
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MA-Manufactured Adder
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$ 0.15
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Moderate Home Value Adder
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$ 2.00
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Moderate Income Adder
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<=$91,552 (120% of MA median household income
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$ 1.25
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These rebates are funded from the renewable energy funds that are collected as a 1/10-of-a-cent charge per kilowatt-hour on all Massachusetts electric bills as well as the alternative compliance fee collected from electricity companies that don’t meet the renewable portfolio standards (RPS). The RPS, created by Massachusetts electricity utility restructuring legislation, specifies that 1% of electricity be generated from renewable sources in 2003, with the percentage increasing by 0.5% per year thereafter through 2009. Thereafter, the annual percentage increase is 1% per year, until suspended by the MA DOER.
Self-Reliance works with reputable, locally-based solar installers to conduct the site evaluations and to present you with recommendations for moving forward with a system. Our solar evaluators will thoroughly assess your available south-facing, unshaded roof space, and your electricity demand so that they can propose the best system to meet your needs. We have outline a sample of system sizes and average costs for a standard installation with the available tax credits and rebates.
 The photovoltaic systems typically installed are “grid-tied.” This means they are connected to the utility grid through your electric panel. As the sun shines, the collector array on the roof makes direct current (DC) electricity. This current passes through the inverter, mounted next to your electrical panel, to become alternating current (AC), which is what most appliances in your home use. When your system is producing more electricity than you are consuming, the electricity is fed back into the electrical grid for use elsewhere and your meter spins backwards. This is called “net metering” and allows you to sell your PV system’s excess generation. At night, when no solar power is produced, your electric meter spins forward as you use electricity. In Massachusetts the electricity company reads your meter monthly and charges you for the amount it has spun forward.
You are probably wondering just how much energy the system would produce for you. A 1.5-kilowatt photovoltaic system of 1500 watts will produce around 2190 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. The average home in our area uses 500 kWh per month, or 6000 kWh per year! But because everyone’s habits and consumption are different, we recommend that you have a comprehensive site evaluation done to determine if you have a suitable site, what you average electric consumption is, the recommended system size for your roof, based on your budget and roof space.
Before you consider a solar system, you should invest in energy efficiency for your home. For every dollar spent on energy efficiency, you save three to five dollars in renewable energy costs. We strongly recommend that you have your building undergo a free energy audit provided by the Cape Light Compact. A free energy audit can help you decide how best to reduce your energy use. They offer rebate coupons for lighting and other efficient appliances, and an incentive program to help people insulate their homes. For information and to sign up, call 800-797-6699 and ask for a comprehensive energy audit. Please tell them Self Reliance referred you!
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1.5 kW System |
2 kW System |
2.5 kW System |
3 kW System |
3.5 kW System |
4 kW System |
4.5 kW System |
5 kW System |
| Average Total Price Before Rebate |
$13,095 |
$17,460 |
$21,825 |
$26,190 |
$30,555 |
$34,920 |
$39,285 |
$43,650 |
| State Tax Incentive* |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
| Federal Tax Incentive* |
up to $3,479 |
up to $4,638 |
up to $5,798 |
up to $6,957 |
up to $8,117 |
up to $9,276 |
up to $10,436 |
up to $11,595 |
| Base Installation Rebate |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
$4,000 |
$4,500 |
$5,000 |
| MA-Manufactured Adder |
$225 |
$300 |
$375 |
$450 |
$525 |
$600 |
$675 |
$750 |
| Moderate Income Adder |
$1,875 |
$2,500 |
$3,125 |
$3,750 |
$4,375 |
$5,000 |
$5,625 |
$6,250 |
| Moderate Home Value Adder** |
$3,000 |
$4,000 |
$5,000 |
$6,000 |
$7,000 |
$8,000 |
$9,000 |
$10,000 |
| Estimated Final Cost after Incentives |
$3,547 - $11,595 |
$5,062 - $15,460 |
$6,578 - $19,325 |
$8,093 - $23,190 |
$9,609 - $27,055 |
$11,124 - $30,920 |
$12,640 - $34,785 |
$14,155 - $38,650 |
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Annaul Output Range in Kilowatt Hours
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1245 - 2190
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2487 - 2920
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3109 - 3650
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3731 - 4380
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4353 - 5110
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4975 - 5840
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5597 - 5670
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6219 - 7300
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State & Federal Tax Incentives: This is for installations completed after December 31, 2008. The information contained here is general in nature and is not intended as tax advice. Furthermore, the information contained herein may not be applicable to or suitable for the individuals' specific circumstances or needs and may require consideration of other matters. Self Reliance assumes no obligation to inform any person of any changes in the tax law or other factors that could affect the information contained herein. You are encouraged to seek professional tax advice for personal income tax questions and assistance. For further information on the federal residential energy credit, please refer to IRS Form 5695.
**Your solar contractor can help you determine whether you qualify for this additional rebate.
After the site assessment, our solar contractor partner will send you a written evaluation outlining the proposed system recommendations and any necessary site considerations that would be required to address prior to installation. The cost of the site analysis is $95. Our schedule for site visits fills up quickly, and rebates are available on a first come, first served basis, so please return the preliminary site evaluation form, along with a check made payable to Self-Reliance, promptly so that we may schedule your visit as soon as possible.
Thanks again for your interest in our program. We look forward to working with you to obtain solar energy.
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