Comments on: Arizona State Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:34:57 +0000

Check out our State by State report card and go for the top. Although that data's a little old now, much still applies.

By: Mallik

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:53:02 +0000

If I were a residential solar panel installer , which top three state should I be targeting ?

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:05:22 +0000

Paul,

I’d love to tell you one way or another, but this is beyond our expertise. Please consult with a tax person. Sorry.

By: Paul

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:19:35 +0000

I signed a contract for solar panels and paid half in October. Installation was promised in December. Panels were not delivered, so installation is delayed until well into 2010. I want to claim the tax credits for 2009–can I?

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:50:32 +0000

Brad, We haven’t heard of any issues. But just be sure that you or your installer comply with all of the code requirements and any other regulations. If you put panels up and claim to them that they will generate so much power, be sure that’s accurate and that your angles, wires, and other inefficiencies are taken into account. Don’t try to fudge anything, because there’s a good chance they will audit all of your figures before giving you the rebate with a site visit.

Hope that helps.

By: Brad Traver

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:06:19 +0000

I’m penciling out whether to pay APS the $15k they want to bring power to my site (so I could install a grid-tied system)or to go with an off-grid system. It comes down to whether APS will make good on the $2/watt rebate they advertise for off-grid systems. Have you heard of any difficulties getting this rebate? Thanks.

By: Lars Pettersen

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:47:42 +0000

Lars Pettersen, Peoria, Arizona. Very informative except for SRP caps out at $13,500 where APS goes to 50% up to $75,000 Great webb site!! From American Way Solar, Lars Pettersen

By: jerry

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:00:26 +0000

We are thinking about building in oracle, az but the electrical utility, BIA San Carlos Irrigation Project, does not allow net metering. I believe the only utility in state after january 1, 2010 to not allow. Anyone with suggestions on how to get SCIP on board?

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00:33 +0000

Good info, Richard. Thanks! These are always estimates we do with software, but they do get out of date. The differences here, as you noted, could extend your payback time, depending on your usage, time of usage, and utility. Thanks again for commenting!

By: Richard

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:29:45 +0000

Although the current incentives are good (and real money), the payback analysis is flawed (as of 2009). If you are on any of the TOU plans, power you generate is credited to the future purchase of the SAME TIME CLASS of power. That is, power you generate at on-peak times is not applied to off-peak use. APS has only one plan without this gotcha – their “Standard” rate. Also, for every KWh you buy from APS, you pay for “system benefits”, transmission, and delivery charges per KWh but you don’t get paid back for these charges when you put the power back on the grid. You only get credited for the “generation” part of the calculation. Unfortunately, the bottom line is that the power company is in business to make money and they will play numbers games as necessary in order to make what they want from you.