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Solar Energy Articles
Thinking About Going Solar?
Although the cost of equipment has come way down, for most homeowners the biggest obstacle to going solar remains price: For a typical house in this area, you’ll have to plunk down about $16,500. But you’ll get your money’s worth.
How to Find and Hire a Solar Energy System Installer
If you decide to buy or lease a solar energy system, there are many decisions to make, and the most important is selecting an installer.
Advice on Leasing Solar Energy Systems
If you live in the District or Maryland and want to go solar but don’t want to shell out $13,000 or more upfront or borrow money to pay for it, then leasing is an option. But, in general, we don’t think these arrangements represent good deals for most homeowners.
Solar Panel Discussion
Since whatever you buy or lease will be up there for years, research the options. Here are the main points.
Should I Add a Battery to My Solar Energy System?
An increasingly popular add-on is to install batteries that store surplus electricity. But batteries are quite expensive: They cost $10,000 to $20,000. Unless you plan to live completely disconnected from the grid, you don’t really need one.
Rebates, Tax Credits, and Other Incentives for Installing Solar Energy Systems
A generous federal tax credit and other local incentives can help cover a large chunk of solar energy project costs.