NOW’S THE TIME TO GO SOLAR
It seems like we’re always gearing up for the next solar deadline, even though we just passed some important ones, like those associated with the APS rate case in 2017 and the solar panel tariffs back in February. It’s all an important reminder that maximizing your solar ROI (Return on Investment) is much more about timing than panel pricing alone. From time-sensitive federal and state tax credits to the cooked-noodle-like rigidity of our local utility rates, maximizing the return on a solar purchase is definitely better if you jump on board early.
So, if you’re still waiting to go solar in hopes of a marginal decrease in panel prices, don’t forget these critical dates that are likely to have a much more immediate impact on your solar ROI.
1 | The APS solar buyback rate is likely to decrease by September:
In 2017, APS did away with net metering, the program that offered a 1-to-1 credit for any excess energy sent back to the grid. The current programs have a set buyback rate of 12.9 cents per kWh. This rate is currently being re-evaluated, as it will every year going forward. An Arizona Corporate Commission (ACC) vote in the coming weeks will set a new amount for the following year beginning in September. If you lock in your solar contract with Sun Valley Solar Solutions before August 24th, you’ll be grandfathered into today’s best rates for the next 10 years.
2 | Limited-Time Battery Incentives:
In March, Tesla and SRP announced a resolution to Solar City’s 2015 lawsuit. As a result, SRP is now offering incentives up to $1,800 for the first 4,500 customers who purchase and install qualifying battery storage systems. Batteries can be integrated into a new solar purchase, installed into existing systems, or installed without solar and charged entirely from the grid. Also, it’s not just SRP customers who get battery mojo right now. It was recently announced that the 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) can also be applied to batteries, as long as they are filled only with solar energy and regardless of utility!
3 | The 30% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit is ending soon:
The ITC is a great way to make your solar energy system more affordable. With this incentive, you can take a tax credit off your personal income tax return for 30 percent of the solar system cost with no cap. This can be taken all in the first year or spread it out over the maximum of five years. This 30 percent credit is available through 2019 before it starts decreasing and eventually ends in in 2022. The ITC only applies to systems purchased with cash or through traditional financing.
4 | State of Arizona Tax Credit:
At the state level in Arizona, not only is there no sales tax charged on the purchase of a solar energy system, but you can also receive a state income tax credit of up to $1,000 for a solar purchase. Like the federal ITC, in order to qualify for the Arizona solar tax incentive, your system must be installed before the end of the tax year you wish to file for.
If you’ve been considering making the switch to solar, now is the time to act. We invite you to schedule a free, no obligation quote with a member of our solar team. You can visit us at www.SunValleySolar.com, or call us at 480-689-5000.
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