The Advantages of Solar Energy -- New Tax Incentives, Property Value Boost, and Going Green
As electricity bills climb every year, so do savings from using solar energy.
Photo by Brooklyn Solar Works
The advantages of solar energy become more apparent every day. It benefits the world and your wallet.
Let us explain. Here are several reasons to embrace solar:
1. New tax incentives
This is big news: NYC solar incentives are some of the best in the country, and as of January 1 they just got better. NYC’s property tax abatement recently increased to 30 percent. This means that with federal and state income tax credits and rebates, homeowners can cover anywhere from 75 to 95 percent of their project costs.
2. Reduce your carbon footprint
The most important benefit of solar energy is its environmental impact. Capturing the sun’s energy rather than burning fossil fuels can offset nearly 12,000 pounds of carbon emissions every year — equivalent to:
- 12,782 vehicle miles driven
- 1.69 tons of waste recycled
- 138 trees planted
3. Save on Con Ed bills
As electricity bills climb every year, so do savings from using solar energy. Although usage can vary from household to household, the average home in NYC can see savings of more than $50,000 over the lifetime of their system (25 to 30 years).
How? It’s called net metering. When your solar system produces more energy than your home needs (which it will), the excess energy is exported into the grid and Con Edison compensates you for it.
Check out this solar savings calculator and compare your current average bill to the average bill after solar.
4. Increase your property value
According to a 2019 Zillow study, the increase in property value for homes with solar in New York City reached 5.4 percent — translating to almost $24,000.
Why? It’s tied to the future electric savings that rooftop solar provides. Think about it: Producing your own renewable energy through solar panels means having a free, reliable source of energy. The home itself is producing energy.
5. Easy maintenance
Here’s an incentive that people don’t often expect from solar energy: Rooftop panels require little to no maintenance. There are no moving parts and you don’t need to clean them – they’re angled so that rainwater and debris can run off naturally. Solar panels are designed to withstand all forms of extreme weather, including heavy snow, hurricanes, and hail.
Brooklyn SolarWorks provides 24/7 real-time monitoring and a 30-year total system warranty. Visit Brooklyn SolarWorks online to find out more or get in touch.
[Photos by Brooklyn Solar Works]
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