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  • Get Involved
    • Become an Installer
    • Become a Member
    • Become a Partner
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Contact Us
    • Donate
  • Group Buys
    • Find a Group Buy
    • Illinois
      • Solar Switch Chicagoland
    • Iowa
      • Grow Solar Jasper + Poweshiek
    • Wisconsin
      • Grow Solar Central Wisconsin
      • Grow Solar Door Co.
      • Grow Solar Green Bay – Fox Valley
      • Grow Solar La Crosse
      • Grow Solar Milwaukee + Waukesha
  • News
    • Requests for Proposals Announcements
    • Rise Up Midwest Podcast
  • Community Resources
  • MREA Resources
    • Business Member Directory
    • Industry Demo Day / The Energy Fair
    • Rise Up Midwest!
    • Solar on Schools
    • Solar Project Builder
    • Solar Project Finance
    • Solar Training
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  • Getting Started
  • Incentives
  • Net Metering
  • Owning Solar: FAQs
  • Solar Storage

Getting Started

Are you ready to take a step towards a sustainable future? Click on the buttons below to explore our comprehensive Steps to Solar guide, where you’ll find everything you need to know about the process of going solar. Or, if you’re curious about the benefits and considerations as a consumer, dive into our Consumer Guide. The consumer guide has information about choosing an installer, consumer protection, and financing.

The Solar Project Builder is an easy-to-use online tool for universities, hospitals, municipalities, and businesses to simulate long-term financial forecasting for four types of solar photovoltaic (PV) investment. Using their own values, users can simulate and compare financial projections for direct ownership, power purchase agreement (PPA), debt financing, and operating lease. The tool can be used to guide or validate potential projects, compare proposals, or simply help users become more familiar with financing structures and common transaction costs.

Choosing an InstallerConsumer GuideSolar Basics and GlossarySolar Project BuilderSteps to Solar

Incentives

Federal Incentives

The inflation reduction act has made the federal tax credit for the purchase of solar panels even more attractive. Agrivoltaics is an emerging segment that offers farmers the opportunity to produce both food and energy from their land.

There are two tax credits available for small business owners who install solar, the investment tax credit (ITC), and the production tax credit (PTC).

Typically, these cannot be claimed for the same property. The ITC offers a 30% tax credit, while the PTC offers a 2.75 cent/kWh credit for the first ten years of your systems operation.

For further resources, click the button below.

Farming + Solar

State Incentives

While the federal tax credit for purchasing solar applies to all property owners in the U.S., state incentives vary greatly. Click your state below to find more information about incentives where you live.

IllinoisIowaMinnesotaMichiganMissouriWisconsin

Rural Energy for America Program

Agricultural producers and rural small businesses may be eligible for the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP . This program provides loan financing and grant funding for farms to install renewable energy systems, or make energy efficiency improvements. Grants for renewable energy systems have a $2,500 minimum, and a $1 million maximum, and can cover up to 50% of an eligible system.

You are eligible if at least 50 percent of your entity’s gross income comes from agricultural operations.

Small businesses can be eligible if they are located in an eligible rural area. Click here for a map of eligibility.

Click the button below for more information on the REAP program.

REAP Info

Net Metering

What is Net Metering?

People often connect the concept of solar to the concept of going off-grid and using battery backups. However, the most common residential solar systems are grid-tied. 

In the grid-tied design, your solar system provides power to your home and any excess electricity generated beyond your energy use is delivered back to the utility grid. If your solar PV system is not producing enough energy to meet your needs, (e.g, at night when there is no sun), then you use electricity from you utility.

Grid-tied is the least expensive type of system design. It also allows for net metering – which is how you make money from your utility when they buy back your extra energy from your solar array, which appears as a credit on your electric bill. 

In essence, net metering is your electric meter spinning in reverse.

Some months, your solar array will generate more energy than you use and other months you will be using the grid plus your solar array for energy consumption. 

Net metering still works to save you money over the course of the year as your credit for excess production rolls over to future months.

Net metering policy can vary by region.

Watch this short video from EnergySage to learn more.

Owning Solar: FAQs

Storage

Can I use a solar battery with my existing solar panel system?

In most cases, solar batteries can be integrated with existing solar panel systems. However, it is recommended to consult with a solar installer to ensure compatibility and proper installation.

How long do solar batteries last?

The lifespan of a solar battery depends on several factors, including the type of battery, usage patterns, and maintenance. On average, solar batteries can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. It’s essential to consider the warranty and performance guarantees provided by the manufacturer before making a purchase.

Can I get financial assistance for purchasing a solar battery?

There are various financial incentives available to help offset the cost of solar batteries. These include federal tax credits, state rebates, and utility-specific programs. It’s recommended to research and explore available incentives in your local area or consult with a solar professional who can guide you through the process.

Solar Panel Maintenance

What kind of maintenance does a solar system require?

Solar systems require little maintenance due primarily to having no moving parts. A tracking system of a pole mount array does contain moving parts and has the potential to require maintenance. Many battery backup systems also require maintenance to ensure battery longevity. Work with your installer to set up an operation and maintenance plan to ensure that the system is operating at optimal capacity.

 

Do I need to clean snow off of my solar panels?

Any shading to a solar panel will reduce electrical output. Solar panels can still produce while covered by a very light snowfall, but any more than that and the panel will not generate electricity. Solar panels have a slippery surface and are positioned on an angle. This can help snow slide off as the sun melts it. Ground mounted solar arrays can easily be brushed clean after a snowfall. If you have an off-grid system and depend on every photon, getting on the roof and dusting off your panels with a broom may be necessary (with proper safety restraints of course).

 

How long do solar panels last?

Most solar modules are guaranteed to last 25-30 years, and even after that, we are seeing efficiency output of 80+%. The kilowatt output degrades slightly each year yet can continue to provide consistent output. Most solar manufacturers provide a performance warranty of 25-30 years. Other PV system components, such as an inverter, could possibly need replacing during the lifetime of your array. Inverters often carry a warranty of around 10-12 years.

 

Sizing

How do I determine the right size for my solar system?

Determining the size of your solar system involves assessing factors such as your energy consumption, available roof space, and local climate conditions. It is recommended to consult with a solar installer who can conduct a thorough assessment and provide accurate sizing recommendations tailored to your needs.

What factors should I consider when sizing a solar system?

When sizing a solar system, you should consider your average energy consumption, peak energy usage, available roof space, shading, and the orientation and tilt of your roof. These factors will help determine the number of solar panels.

How can I estimate my energy consumption?

To estimate your energy consumption, review your utility bills to determine your average monthly kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage. You can also use online calculators that consider factors like your location, household size, and energy usage patterns to provide a rough estimate.

What if my energy needs change in the future?

It’s important to consider future energy needs when sizing a solar system. If you anticipate changes such as an increase in energy consumption or the addition of electric vehicles, inform your solar installer. They can design a system that accommodates future changes, ensuring your solar investment remains viable in the long run.

Agricultural

Can I graze cattle near my solar panels?

Cattle grazing has been implemented at a few solar installations, however, co-locating cattle and PV installations can require fencing, and raising the height of the panels, which can increase cost.

Sheep are often co-located with solar, as the standard height is high enough for sheep to access the vegetation beneath the panels. According to NREL, 794 megawatts of solar in the US are incorporated with sheep grazing.

Will solar panels affect soil quality?

The most common panel design utilizes silicon. Panels are typically covered in a glass pane, and sealed. Due to this sealed nature, leaching of metals from the modules will not affect your soil health.

Can I grow crops under my panels?

Shade-tolerant crops can be grown under solar installations. Panels will cool vegetation during the day and keep them warmer at night, so the daily average crop temperatures are similar to crops in full sun. Note that harvest equipment may not be able to operate under installations. The concept of using land for both solar panels and crops is known as agrovoltaics: a relatively new area of research with great potential. For a more detailed look into agrovoltaics, we suggest diving into these resources from the US Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): https://www.nrel.gov/solar/market-research-analysis/agrivoltaics.html & https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/potential-agrivoltaics-us-solar-industry-farmers-and-communities

Solar Storage

Solar Storage

Solar storage, offers an alternative to net metering. While net metering allows you to sell excess solar energy back to the grid, solar storage allows you to store that excess energy for later use. This means you can harness the power of the sun even when it’s not shining, giving you greater control and independence over your energy consumption.

Solar storage can come with a larger price tag compared to net metering. With solar storage, you can maximize your energy savings by avoiding peak electricity rates and reducing your reliance on the grid. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have a reliable and sustainable source of energy, even during power outages.

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