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Product Info
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“I love the convenience of having power on a consistent basis. Independent Power has been very responsive to my questions and always helpful to explain aspects of the system.”
Sigrid Bott
Georgetown, ME
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Our Solar Electric Systems
An off-grid path to energy independence!
Cost:
The Price
Our off-grid solar electric systems generally start in the $25,000 to $30,000 range and go up from there. Currently, a 30% Federal Tax credit is available and will help offset the price. The cost of your power system depends on its size. System size is not determined by the square footage of your home, but by how much electricity you need to generate and how much solar gain is available. The Maine climate is less sunny than other parts of the country and therefore a larger system is needed to generate the same amount of electricity that a smaller system in a sunnier locale can produce.
Because solar electric power can be expensive, reducing your electrical demand will help keep your costs down. For every dollar you spend on energy efficiency in your home, you will save approximately $3 to $5 on your power system. While energy efficient lights and appliances will keep costs down, keep in mind that small solar electric systems are not practical for powering electric space heating systems or water heaters, air conditioners, electric stoves, or electric clothes dryers.
Once you’ve determined that the ballpark cost of an off-grid power system works with your budget, we can start the design process. The first step is to analyze your electrical requirements. How many lights and appliances will be included and how long will you run them? Will you be using power tools of any kind? Heat, refrigeration and water pumping are major draws on your power system and will need to be reviewed carefully. Our expert will then specify the proper equipment based on your power requirements, site considerations, and expected usage (year round or seasonal). We’ll then provide you with a written quote and you’ll be on your way to energy independence!
The Payback
The investment in a solar energy system goes well beyond the financial realm. The money spent on the system is just one piece of the payback analysis. Solar energy systems may or may not have a fabulous financial payback as other fuel costs rise, but there are enormous paybacks in reliability, environmental friendliness and the independence they provide.
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