City Launches Solar Rebate Program [Video]

On the longest day of the year, the bright sunshine had the electric meter running backwards at Katharine Kilbourn and Scott Shear's home in Jamaica Plain.

Eight months ago the couple installed a solar array on the roof of their 98 Brookside Ave. house. And the city picked their front yard to announce that it will sweeten the pot for other home owners who want to add solar panels.

The new program is part of Renew Boston. It adds a city rebate to incentives already offered by the state and federal governments. The average residential rebate would run $1,000-$3,000, according to the city.

According to Jim Hunt, the city's chief of environment and energy, going solar will pay for itself in 3 1/2 to 4 years with the additional city rebate. With the federal and state incentives alone, payback time can be about 6 years.

Kilbourn and Shear, who have lived at the house for 22 years, say they will get their $36,000 investment back soon. They already have a $10,000 federal tax incentive and received a $4,600 rebate from the state. They won't be eligible for the new city rebate, but even without it they say they are happy with their decision.

The solar panels produce 90 percent of the power required for their four-person household.

Hunt said the first step for homeowners interested in going solar is to schedule an energy audit through www.renewboston.org. Homes must be properly insulated among other requirements before seeing if solar panels make sense.