WYOMING
Solar in Wyoming
With an average of 222 sunny days a year, it makes sense that the Cowboy State is one of the sunniest places to live.* As a result, a whopping 86% of (or 53.1K) roofs in the state are solar-viable.* With the fantastic amount of sunlight the state receives, Wyoming could potentially produce 72 million MWh of solar power each year.*
However, Wyoming is lagging behind 40 other states in its “giddyup.” It needs a little boot-spur action to kick it into a more competitive pace of producing solar energy to help electrify the state. With so much potential, Wyoming should be leading the herd.
Solar potential in Wyoming?
Wyoming receives an average of 5.2 hours of sunlight per day, which is well above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that Wyoming has a good potential for solar energy generation.
As of the first quarter of 2021, Wyoming’s national ranking is 41st place in solar power, with just over 2,000 solar installations generating 139.8 MWh—that’s only 0.42% of the state’s electricity.* The state currently generates enough solar energy to provide electricity to 22,382 homes.* That’s a great start, but the gap between the current 139.8 MWh and the potential of 72 million MWh is a crevasse just waiting for Wyoming to bridge it.
Cost of solar in Wyoming?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include the:
Quality of your solar panels
Condition and angle of your roof
Solar panel installation quality
Local weather
In Wyoming, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,400 to $14,700, or in other words, from $2.68 to $2.94 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
The main incentive for going solar comes from the federal government through the Federal Investment Tax Credit or ITC. When qualified Wyoming residents claim the ITC on their taxes, they receive a tax credit worth 26% of the total cost of their new solar system equipment and installation.*
Statewide incentives for going solar in Wyoming include:
A 50% residential rebate worth up to $3,000.
A sales tax exemption for solar power equipment.
Several client-based rebates from Wyoming utility companies.*
Wyoming also requires investor-owned utility companies to offer net metering to solar customers in return for credits toward energy bills for generating surplus electricity. Net metering is the ability to sell excess energy that your solar system produces back to your utility company, creating an extra source of energy savings.*
Advantages?
Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of \$15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Environmental benefits: Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy. It does not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy can also help to make Wyoming a more sustainable state.
Job creation: The solar industry is a growing industry in Wyoming. The industry employs thousands of people in the state, and it is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
Self-reliance: Solar panels can help you become more self-reliant on energy. This can be a valuable asset in the event of a power outage.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Wyoming state policies?
Net metering: Wyoming has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to their utility company at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemptions: Wyoming exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $15,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $15,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs): Wyoming offers Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Rebate: The state of Wyoming offers a rebate of up to $1,000 for homeowners who install solar panels. The rebate is available for systems that are installed on single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes.
Tax credit: The federal government offers a tax credit of 26% for the cost of installing solar panels. The tax credit is available for systems that are installed on homes and businesses.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Wyoming? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Wyoming, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!