Vermont Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

george

i live in vt. and the state can do better in programs than what they have. i bought a hot water system to offset our heat and hot water, i had to install it myself – why? the solar store raised their price from 1200.00 to 2000.00 to install the unit. with that, i got online found a company in new york to buy the unit from. found out how install, pipe, soder, insulate. So the fed rebate of 1300.00 no state rebate because you have to have an installer certified (by the state) of 2000.00 (min) to install and get state rebate 276.00 the numbers don’t add up .

Brian Steele

I’m intrested in getting a job with an electrical contractor who specializes in solar. I there a list of aproved contracts?

gabriel and cecille kissell

WE had solar panel hot water system installed back in June of 2008 and we have not received our rebate yet. We were told it would be not until August before we got it. We live in Ruland City and Brad Rousseau did the installation who is licensed and registered with the state to do this work. Can you refer this to the proper people who handle the rebates. We don’t know who to contact. Telephone 802-773-8782

Scott Beck

Solar electricity in VT is BS. Here is what anyone thinking about alternative energy should ask themselves. Will my investment save money tomorrow. If not, forget it. Of course, if you want to ignore economics, and do it so that you can brag to your tree-hugging friends, go right ahead. p.s. I did geo-thermal heating, 100% and it makes a heck of a lot of economics sense, and I can still brag to the tree-huggers.

Melody Houle

MASSIVELY CONFUSED!!
They say save the planet, go renewable,get state/goverenment incentives.
My Husband and Son have talked about doing this for several years but does it make sense?
Some of what I’ve been reading broken down in to everyday lingo says that you won’t save more than $10 a month over a 25 year stretch!!!!!
Now what is the price of wind mills, solar panels, and how does it off set anything.
One can’t afford paying a regular bill, how will one afford to pay for units like this large enough to be self-sufficient?
Lost and obviously without a clue!!
Melody

Charlie Morgan

Right now, you don’t go solar to save money, you do it to save the planet. (Same with wind power, thermal energy, etc.). Eventually, you may be able to think in terms of 10 year returns on investment, but for now it isn’t that cheap. So indeed, it is only for people who have some disposable income or who can afford home equity load.

BUT, it is worth the cost even now, for the superb conservation benefits it provides. And a good system installed by a reputable installer is relatively trouble free. Just make sure your installer lives close enough to do any repair work.

Solar and thermal are sure things; wind is more problematic since even the best residential turbines are difficult to site, difficult to install (they need to be way up high), and not particularly reliable. We have one, and when it is working it provides maybe 20% of our energy in the winter, which is great.

We are totally off-grid, powered by sun and wind, with refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, coffee grinder, etc. etc. It is not primitive in any way, though we have become much more attuned to simple conservation measures (like turning out lights, etc.). We do have a propane generator back-up, and sometimes it goes on to charge the batteries when days have been gray or excessive energy used. But mostly we live by the sun.

We paid with a home equity line, and rebates and tax incentives knocked about 25% off the price. But it still cost us around 25,000 dollars for a top-quality but relatively small single-home system.

Bottom line: do it if you can!

Tor

Good news, Vermonters. Vermont finally passed its Feed-in Tariff legislation. For some basic details, See:

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/06/vermont-fits-become-law-the-mouse-that-roared

Solar Fred
http://www.solarfred.com