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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. Currently, both the federal government and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are offering incentive programs to encourage homeowners to switch to renewable energy.
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!
You are probably wondering just how much energy a PV 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 your average electric consumption is, the recommended system size for your roof, based on your budget and roof space.
In 2011 the new Commonwealth Solar II Initiative was introduced. This Initiative offers a revised rebate program that supports the installation of photovoltaic systems up to 5 kW for residential applications. These are rebates from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Renewable Energy Trust Fund, paid by a surcharge on all Massachusetts electric utility bills. Below is a table outlining the rebates available under this initiative.
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Residential Rebates ($ per watt) through Commonwealth Solar II Initiative
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Base Incentive
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$ 0.75
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MA-Manufactured Adder
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$ 0.10
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Moderate Home Value Adder OR
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$ 0.85
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Moderate Income Adder
<=$91,552 (120% of MA median household income)
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$ 0.85
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The Solar II rebates combined with the federal government tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of a solar installation are enabling homeowners to realize the environmental benefits from generating clean pure energy from the sun and simultaneously to reduce our collective dependence on fossil fuel. In 25 years, a typical 5 Kw PV system will offset 300,000 lbs of carbon dioxide.
In order to participate in this program, you are required to have a thorough site evaluation to determine the feasibility of photovoltaics. 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.
Self-Reliance works with certified, 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 outlined a sample of system sizes and average costs for a standard installation with the available tax credits and rebates.
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1.5 kW System
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2 kW
System
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2.5 kW System
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3 kW
System
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3.5 kW
System
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4 kW System
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4.5 kW System
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5 kW
System
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Average Total Price Before Rebate
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$10,875
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$13,500
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$16,125
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$18,750
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$21,375
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$24,000
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$26,625
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$29,250
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State Tax Incentive
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$1,000
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$1,000
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$1,000
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$1,000
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$1,000
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$1,000
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$1,000
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$1,000
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Federal Tax Incentive (up to 30%)
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up to $3,150
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up to $4,200
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up to $5,250
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up to $6,300
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up to $6,825
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up to $7,800
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up to $8,100
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up to $8,500
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Base Installation Rebate
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$1,125
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$1,500
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$1,875
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$2,250
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$2,625
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$3,000
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$3,375
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$3,750
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MA-Manufactured Adder
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$150
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$200
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$250
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$300
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$350
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$400
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$450
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$500
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Moderate Income Adder *
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$1,275
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$1,700
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$2,125
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$2,550
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$2,975
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$3,400
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$3,825
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$4,250
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Moderate Home Value Adder *
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$1,275
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$1,700
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$2,125
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$2,550
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$2,975
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$3,400
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$3,825
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$4,250
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Estimated Final Cost after Incentives
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Up to $4,175
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Up to $4,900
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Up to $5,625
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Up to $6,350
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Up to $7,600
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Up to $8,400
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Up to $9,875
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Up to $11,250
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Annual 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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*Use one or the other
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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