For those asking themselves “should I go solar”, the cost of solar installation continues to fall. According to data from the EnergySage Marketplace, installing a residential solar energy system costs almost 13 percent less than it did just five years ago, which is great news for today’s solar shoppers. But the ever-decreasing costs of solar create a conundrum: should I go solar now or wait? For many, daily headlines that declare lower and lower prices can stir them to action. For others though, these same headlines can cause them to wait a few more years in hopes of saving even more money. So who’s right?
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New Jersey’s new solar incentive program: SuSI
New Jersey is no stranger to solar incentives, thanks in part to having one of the most ambitious renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in the country. The clean energy targets laid out here–and more specifically, the solar carve-out portion–prompted the state to implement one of the country’s most successful solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) programs as early as 2004.
But the incentive landscape has been shifting in New Jersey, and change is finally here; beginning in late August, the Garden State will launch its new Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) program. Below, we’ll give an overview of the new incentive program, and discuss what it means for New Jerseyans going solar.
Continue readingSRECs in Massachusetts: prices and program status
The Massachusetts solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) program is one of the most advantageous financial incentives for solar available at the state level. Massachusetts property owners who buy and install a solar panel system can earn hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars a year by selling the SRECs the system generates.
Continue readingNJ TRECs: the Garden State’s transition solar incentive
New Jersey has always been one of the best states for solar: higher-than-average electricity rates and strong solar incentives have helped thousands of New Jerseyans achieve quick payback periods on their solar investments. Above all, the state’s renewable portfolio standard and associated solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) market have been instrumental towards growing solar throughout the state. However, in June 2018, the state decided to phase out SRECs in favor of a new, yet-to-be-established successor solar program. In an effort to bridge the gap between SRECs and the next phase of solar incentives, the Garden State decided to implement an intermediate transition solar incentive, known as TRECs.
Continue readingSRECs in D.C.: prices, projections, and program status
If you’re considering installing solar in Washington D.C., the most important solar incentive to be aware of are solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). D.C. is one of the few governments that offers this performance-based incentive to people generating solar electricity. Even better, the District’s program is the most lucrative one in the country: when you buy and install a solar panel system in D.C., you can earn thousands of dollars each year just from selling the certificates your system generates.
This article describes how the District’s SREC program works, explores current prices for SRECs, and discusses the future of the SREC program so that you can make a well-informed decision about going solar.
Continue readingRenewable portfolio standards explained
Following the 2018 elections, there was a flurry of state-level action on climate change and clean energy to begin the new year. Outside of proposals at the federal level for a Green New Deal, many states proposed and passed a suite of climate-related legislation, from emission reduction goals to clean energy procurement targets. Perhaps the most common policy instrument for growing clean energy at the state level is the renewable portfolio standard (RPS).
Continue readingSRECs: understanding solar renewable energy credits
Of all the incentives for installing solar panel systems, solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) are some of the most beneficial, yet most complicated to understand. However, SRECs can provide sizable income to owners of solar power systems that live in eligible markets.
Continue readingSRECs in Pennsylvania: prices, projections, and program status
If you’re considering installing a solar panel system in Pennsylvania, one incentive to be aware of is solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). Pennsylvania is one of the few states that offers this performance-based incentive to property owners generating solar electricity. Pennsylvanians who buy and install a solar panel system can earn hundreds of dollars each year by selling SRECs.
Continue readingSRECs in Maryland: prices, projections, and program status
If you’re considering installing solar in Maryland, one incentive you should be aware of is solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). Maryland is one of the few states that offers this performance-based incentive to people generating solar electricity. Property owners in Maryland who buy and install a solar panel system can earn hundreds of dollars each year by selling the SRECs their system generates.
Continue readingSolar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART): Massachusetts’ SREC II replacement program
Massachusetts has always been one of the best states for solar. Not only does the Bay State have the high electricity rates that lead to a short payback period for your solar investment – it also has a history of having strong solar incentives for property owners looking to own a solar panel system.
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