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Cape & Islands Self-Reliance Corporation
Photovoltaic

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.  

 

Residential Rebates ($ per watt) through Commonwealth Solar II Initiative

Base Incentive

 $   0.75

MA-Manufactured Adder

 $   0.10

Moderate Home Value Adder  OR

 $   0.85

Moderate Income Adder
<=$91,552 (120% of MA median household income)

 $   0.85

 

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. 

 

 

 

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

$10,875

$13,500

$16,125

$18,750

$21,375

$24,000

$26,625

$29,250

State Tax Incentive

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

Federal Tax Incentive (up to 30%)

up to $3,150

up to $4,200

up to $5,250

up to $6,300

up to $6,825

up to $7,800

up to $8,100

up to $8,500

Base Installation Rebate

$1,125

$1,500

$1,875

$2,250

$2,625

$3,000

$3,375

$3,750

MA-Manufactured Adder

$150

$200

$250

$300

$350

$400

$450

$500

Moderate Income Adder *

$1,275

$1,700

$2,125

$2,550

$2,975

$3,400

$3,825

$4,250

Moderate Home Value Adder *

$1,275

$1,700

$2,125

$2,550

$2,975

$3,400

$3,825

$4,250

Estimated Final Cost after Incentives

Up to $4,175

Up to $4,900

Up to $5,625

Up to $6,350

Up to $7,600

Up to $8,400

Up to $9,875

Up to $11,250

Annual Output Range in Kilowatt Hours

1245 - 2190

2487 – 2920

3109 - 3650

3731 - 4380

4353 - 5110

4975 - 5840

5597 - 5670

6219 - 7300

 

*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.

In order to participate in this program, you are required to have a thorough site evaluation to determine the feasibility of photovoltaics. Please click here for a preliminary site evaluation form that you need to complete and return to us in order to schedule your comprehensive site analysis.
 
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.
Proudly making a difference in the following Cape Cod, Massachusetts towns and villages: Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Buzzards Bay, Centerville, Chatham, Cotuit, Craigville Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Hyannis, Hyannisport, Marstons Mills, Mashpee, Orleans, Osterville, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, Woods Hole, Yarmouth, Yarmouthport

Oil Cooperative also serves the following southeastern Massachusetts towns and cities: Abington, Acushnet, Assonet, Avon, Berkley, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton Brookline, Buzzards Bay, Canton, Carver, Cohasset, Dartmouth, Dedham, Dighton, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Foxboro, Freetown (Assonet) Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Humarock, Kingston, Lakeville, Manomet, ,Mansfield, Marion, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Milton, Needham New Bedford, Newton, Norfolk, North Carver, North Dartmouth, North Dighton, North Easton, Norton, Norwell, Norwood, Onset, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Quincy, Randolph Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Rockland, Sagamore, Sagamore Beach, Scituate, Seekonk, Sharon, Somerset, South Carver, South Dartmouth, South Easton, Squantum (Quincy), Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, Walpole, Wareham, West Bridgewater, Westport, Westport Point, Westwood, Weymouth, White Horse Beach (Manomet), Whitman
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Physical address:
1396 Route 28A, Cataumet, MA 02534
Mailing address:
PO BOX 396, North Falmouth, MA 02556
Toll-Free: 888.808.0120 or 508.563.6633 Fax: 508.563.1123
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