The federal government is chipping in 30 percent of the cost, so generating power at home makes economic sense for many Americans. In addition to the federal tax credit, 44 states offer renewable-energy tax incentives, ranging from property and sales tax discounts to income tax credits.  Rebates are available in 42 states from a variety of sources including utility companies.

Lower prices, combined with government incentives, means that home solar panel installers could install solar powered panels or an entire home solar system that should pay for itself over a short period of time; however in most cases it’s a long term proposition. One thing a homeowner can count on: energy prices from their local utility company will be going up, so their home power system will look like a smarter decision as time goes by.

Long Beach solar quotes can help with solar electric.  Most homes are fitted with solar panels; all you need is enough space and not too much shade.  And as far as material costs go down, solar power systems are becoming less expensive.  As a result of the recession, there is an oversupply of solar panels right now so prices for PV panels have dropped approximately 20 to 30 percent from a year ago according to Brad Collins, executive director of the American Solar Energy Society.

The average home’s electrical needs could be met by a 4 kilowatt solar power system.  Figure the price, including installation from a San Francisco solar panel company, at about $8,000 per kilowatt making the total $32,000.  State tax incentives range from 15 percent in North Dakota to 50 percent in Massachusetts and in Louisiana with 25 percent – the most common among the states. Knocking that much off the $32,000 brings the total down to $24,000 and then deduct the federal government’s 30 percent “discount” drops the total down to $16,800 and according to the American Solar Energy Society, your break-even point is somewhere between 15 and 25 years.

The power from such a system can be “banked” and in 42 states and the District of Columbia have net-metering agreements: if your system is tied to a power grid, the utility company has to credit you the retail rate – the rate customers pay – for the power you contribute to the grid.