A Taste of Solar Power Comes to Westwood

A transition to using solar energy can not only help reduce household costs, it can help increase the value of your home.

On Wednesday evening, Kaity Goldsmith from SolarFlair Energy, Inc. explained this during an informational seminar at Westwood Family Chiropractic.

In her presentation, which focused on ways and reasons to "go solar," Goldsmith explained that anyone interested in reaping the benefits of going solar can do so by effectively reducing their carbon footprints.

For example, the original cost (turnkey) for a residential home that uses 4.5 kilowatts (kW), which is the average amount, costs $25,000.

But after installation, participants will receive a ‘Commonwealth Solar Rebate’ for $4,000; a Federal Tax Credit of $6,000; and a State Tax Credit of $1,000. After all of these benefits, the cost is diminished to $14,000. This goes on top of an average annual utility savings of $1,800 and an average annual SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate) of $1,000. In short, the system will pay for itself after five years.

Solar hot water is also available for a turnkey cost of $11,000. After a state rebate of $1,000; a federal tax credit of $2,000; and a state tax credit of $1,000; the cost drops to $7,000, and the system will pay for itself in the span of 10 years.

For a commercial system of 100kW, the turnkey cost is $550,000. After a 30 percent Federal Stimulus Grant of $150,000, a State Tax Deduction of $50,000, and a Tax Savings Depreciation of $200,000, the cost is diminished to $150,000. On top of that, there is an average annual utility savings of $36,000 and an annual SREC revenue of $34,000.

“In Massachusetts, the DOER (Department of Energy Resources) has stated that electricity produced by solar renewable energy is two products,” Goldsmith said at the presentation. “One being the actual electricity that you’re getting from it, and two being the renewable benefit that comes to the environment. For every kilowatt hour a system produces, that is equal to one SREC. One SREC is sold for between $.28 and $.55 on an open market.”

Solar panels, meanwhile, are designed to withstand in fickle weather conditions. 

“(The systems) are made of tempered glass, and they are protected against hail and severe windstorms,” Goldsmith said at this week’s seminar. “That being said, if it’s a ground mounted system, we always recommend putting a fence around it, just to be on the safe side.”

The solar panels are built to last for at least 25 years.

“(The panels are at) 100 percent efficiency up until year 15, then it’s 95 percent efficiency up until year 20,” Goldsmith said. “Then, it’s 85 percent efficiency after year 25.”

Some may worry about solar panels having a negative effect on the way a house looks, but Goldsmith ensured that all panel placement is done in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Anyone interested in moving forward with solar paneling should contact Goldmsith at Kaity@solarflair.com, or 508-293-4293.