ALASKA
Solar in Alaska
Despite Alaska receiving less sunlight than other U.S. states, with 121 sun-filled days per year, 76% of all rooftops in the state can still access clean energy through solar panels, each receiving about 75% of the maximum amount of sunlight yearly.
If 82% of the buildings in Alabama had solar panels, the state’s solar energy production could reach heights of 24.8 million megawatts of AC per year. This would be enough to power over 2.4 million homes.
Solar potential in Alaska?
As of 2022, Alaska has installed about 8 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity. This is a small fraction of the state’s total electricity generation, which is about 15,000 megawatts. However, the amount of solar energy produced in Alaska is growing rapidly. In 2021, the state added about 2 megawatts of solar capacity, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
There are a number of factors that are driving the growth of solar energy in Alaska. One factor is the state’s abundant sunshine. Alaska receives an average of 2,400 hours of sunshine per year, which is more than most other states. Another factor is the state’s commitment to renewable energy. Alaska has a goal of generating 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy that can help Alaska reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. It can also create jobs and lower electricity bills. Alaska has the potential to become a leader in solar energy production.
Cost of solar in Alaska?
The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:
Quality of the solar panels
Roof space
Quality of the system’s warranty
Roof material
To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.
In Alaska, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system is $14,000, or $2.80 per watt, and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Although Alaska’s natural resources (such as oil and coal) are thriving, many programs allow Alaskans to gain easier access to solar energy savings—even in winter months when Southern Alaska sees less than six hours of sunlight and Northern Alaska a mere few hours per day.
Advantages?
Going solar has its environmental perks. Looking specifically at Alaska, the EIA reports that, despite Alaska’s high latitudes and long dark days of winter, solar energy can play a significant role in remote, off-grid locations. These solar photovoltaic panels generate electricity on a small scale throughout the state, mostly at residential sites.
Solar panels for homes produced 4,000 MWh of electricity in 2019, accounting for 0.2% of the state’s total renewable generation, but this number increased to 7000 mWh by late 2020. Alaska’s largest solar farm (as of late 2018) included nearly 1,800 solar panels producing 563 kW south of Fairbanks.
The advantages of solar power also extend to your wallet since the prices of solar installations have dropped 43% within the past five years, making now the best time to convert your home to solar power. Going solar in Alaska—which has one of the highest electricity expenses in the country—will diminish the amount of electricity bought from your power company.
Solar energy is a relatively new source of energy in Alaska. The state has a long history of using fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, to generate electricity. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in solar energy as a way to reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change.
As of 2022, Alaska has about 8 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity installed. This is a small fraction of the state’s total electricity generation, which is about 15,000 megawatts. However, the amount of solar energy produced in Alaska is growing rapidly. In 2021, the state added about 2 megawatts of solar capacity, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
Disadvantages?
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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.
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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.
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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.
Alaska state policies?
Here are some of the solar incentives available in Alaska: These tax credits and incentives* include:
Federal solar tax credit: Homeowners who purchase their solar system can receive a tax credit of up to 30% of the total cost of the system.
Alaska Energy Authority rebate: The Alaska Energy Authority offers a rebate of $0.20 per watt for solar systems with a capacity of 10 kW or less. The maximum rebate is $1,000 or half of the cost of the system.
Municipal rebates: Some municipalities in Alaska offer additional rebates for solar systems.
Net metering: If you have a solar system that generates more electricity than you use, you can sell the excess electricity back to the grid. This can help you offset the cost of your electricity bills.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP) and the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)’s Renewable Energy Fund (REF) are available to assist Alaskans with loans to purchase their solar systems.
Please note that these incentives and rebates are subject to change. It is important to check with your solar installer or the Alaska Energy Authority for the most up-to-date information.
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 Alaska? 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, flat roofs generate the most energy yearly, almost tripling the energy that south-facing roofs in Alaska produce. North-facing roofs produce the least.
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 Alaska, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!