Guide to Go Solar For Embassies
There are many reasons to install solar panels for an Embassy. After all, the benefits of saving our planet and saving money are clear and it’s never been easier or smarter.
Ipsun Solar works and installs solar panels in and around Washington DC. We’ve worked with other Embassies in Washington DC and are ready to share your experience with you.
4 Steps to Go Solar
Step 1: Learn about solar incentives in Virginia and the DC Metro Area
Step 2: Contact a local solar installer near you
Step 3: Choose a way to pay for your solar system (cash, loan etc)
Step 4: Get it done
Resources
Step 1: Learn about solar incentives in your state
Researching the solar incentives in Virginia – or any of the states we serve – isn’t time-consuming. There are five points you need to know:
- Federal Incentives:
- There is a Federal Tax Credit of 30%: This means you can deduct 30% of the total cost of your solar project from your tax liability. For the most up to date information about the Federal Solar Tax credit, see our incentives page at ipsunsolar.com/solar-incentives
- State Incentives: Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) are available in DC, VA and MD.
- County Incentives: Every county is different, and some have property tax exemptions or other solar policies. Fairfax County has several incentives for example that are different from Arlington County. Reach out to us any time for an overview of what may available in your county.
- City Incentives: Some cities have their own incentives unrelated to county incentives.
- Utility Incentives: Depending on which utility you will interconnect your solar panels with, you will get access to different incentives and solar programs. Dominion Energy has different solar incentives and programs than NOVEC and Rappahannock, which are member-owned electric cooperatives. Some utility companies are very formal in their approach to solar, others are more difficult to navigate and less formal.
Step 2: Contact a local solar installer near you
- Choose a company licensed and insured for solar photovoltaic system installations.
- Read reviews of the solar installers you’re considering. A solar installer has to be good if many reviews all point towards the same dedication to quality work with attention to detail and a fair price. Read reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook and other similar websites and platforms.
- Ask questions. Every solar installer does things slightly differently. Voice all your questions! A good company will explain their warranty policy, standard equipment used, and whether their installation and engineering teams are in-house.
- Financial Benefits. Most people go solar at least in part for financial reasons. Make sure to have a clear view of your financial benefits of having solar installed – reputable installers will provide a detailed proposal, modeling your solar savings after examining your utility bills and speaking with you at some length.
- Get a detailed price and contract. Watch out for installers that present you with a loose, vague contract with a price that is not set in stone. You’re better off with a starting, fixed price for a solar installation with change orders in case the project changes.
- Compare apples to apples: Make sure you compare solar installers and solar panels for the same type of solar projects.
- Maintenance: Ask your installer about their warranty and maintenance plan.
Step 3: Choose a way to pay for your solar system (cash, loan, line of credit)
There are several ways to pay for your solar panels:
- Pay cash
- Bank loans: We can offer you several options for financing your project. We are especially proud of our partnership with the Clean Energy Credit Union. This partnership allows us to offer you the lowest loan rates in the area!
- Home Equity Line of Credit: If you already have a HELOC, be sure to do the math and decide whether using the HELOC or a loan from Clean Energy CU makes the most sense. Our solar experts are here to walk you through all the options!
Step 4: Get it done
Why delay your solar project? You pay for power from your utility company every minute you don’t act. Homeowners are kicking off new solar projects every day that will add to home value and provide lasting benefits.
Now that the price of a solar system has come down, it’s finally a real financial option to switch from a centralized utility company that you pay every month. Partner with Ipsun Solar to generate your power yourself with solar panels on your own home.