CONNECTICUT
Solar in Connecticut
With 194 days of sunshine per year,* Connecticut may not be the sunniest state in most Americans’ minds, but that doesn’t stop the state from creating an impressive solar presence. Currently, Connecticut is the 21st-ranking solar state in the nation, an improvement over its 24th-place ranking in 2020.*
While Connecticut has been installing large-scale solar systems for about a decade, the best is yet to come. In March 2021, the Connecticut Siting Council approved a 120 MW solar farm in East Windsor to produce enough clean energy to power 12,000 homes.* This solar farm should be the largest in the Northeast.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Connecticut currently produces 908.6 MW of solar energy annually through 53,946 installations.* Solar panels for homes and businesses throughout Connecticut give the state enough solar energy to power 130,963 homes.
Switching to solar power is an effective way to do your part in helping Connecticut reach its clean energy goals. In 2019, Connecticut Gov. Lamont released a plan to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity across the state by 2040.* If Connecticut reaches its solar capacity, it will reduce carbon emissions by 5.4 million metric tons,* contributing to this goal.
Additionally, switching to solar energy can produce significant cost savings for you and your family. The average homeowner in Connecticut saves $15,000 over the 20 years following their solar installation.* Solar energy is cheaper to harvest and use than traditional energy sources such as natural gas, making solar panels an investment that pays for itself over time.
Solar potential in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a high potential for solar energy production. The state receives an average of 4.5 hours of sunshine per day, and the average annual solar irradiance is 4.2 kWh/m2. This means that solar panels in Connecticut can generate a significant amount of electricity.
Cost of solar in Connecticut?
The cost of a home solar system can vary due to a range of factors, even in the same state. These include:
Quality of the solar panels
The angle of the roof
Roof space
Weather
Household’s energy needs
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 Connecticut, we found that the investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,400 to $36,200, or in other words, from $2.68 to $7.24 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives. Connecticut residents can receive financial incentives to decrease their overall costs of going solar.
For example, the PosiGen Solar Lease and Energy Efficiency Energy Savings Agreement*, launched in 2015, helps low- to moderate-income residents better afford solar energy measures through a savings agreement plan.
Another significant incentive is the Connecticut Property Assessed Clean Energy program. This financing program provides multi-family property-owners with long-term financing to cover the costs of clean energy upgrades to their homes.
Connecticut homeowners can also take advantage of tax exemptions after switching to solar energy. The Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Solar and Geothermal Systems* eliminates the sales tax on solar systems purchases. Additionally, the Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems* prevents homeowners from paying additional property taxes.
Connecticut residents can also benefit from the federal investment tax credit, a 26% tax credit that homeowners can claim on their federal income taxes.*
Advantages?
Connecticut is a great place to go solar. The state has abundant sunshine, which means that solar panels can generate a lot of electricity. In addition, Connecticut has a number of financial incentives that can help offset the cost of solar panels.
Here are some of the advantages of going solar in Connecticut:
Lower electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you save money on your electricity bills. The average Connecticut homeowner can save up to $30,000 on their electricity bills over the lifetime of their solar system.
Increased home value: Solar panels can add value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Studies have shown that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
Reduced carbon footprint: Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment. Solar panels produce no emissions, which can help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Financial incentives: Connecticut offers a number of financial incentives that can help offset the cost of solar panels. These incentives include the federal solar tax credit, state rebates, and utility company incentives.
Sales tax exemption: Solar panels are exempt from the property taxes in Connecticut. This means that you will not have to pay property taxes on the value of your solar panels. This can save you money on property taxes each year.
Home solar looks even more attractive considering that Connecticut homeowners who choose to install a PV system can enjoy 30% in federal solar tax credit.* Additionally, the state offers lucrative solar incentives that include 25% (up to $1000) state solar tax credit, property tax exemption on added value, and 5.6% sales tax exemption.
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.
Connecticut state policies?
- Property tax exemption: Solar panels are exempt from property taxes in Connecticut. This means that you will not have to pay property taxes on the value of your solar panels. This can save you money on your property taxes each year.
- Sales tax exemption: Solar panels are exempt from sales tax in Connecticut. This means that you will not have to pay sales tax on the purchase of your solar panels. This can save you money on the cost of your solar system.
- Net metering: Net metering is a policy that allows solar customers to sell excess electricity back to their utility company at the retail rate. This can help offset the cost of your solar system.
- Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs): SRECs are tradable credits that represent the environmental attributes of solar power. Utilities in Connecticut are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators, which can provide additional income for homeowners with solar panels.
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 Connecticut? 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 Connecticut, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!