A little guidance for going solar

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Interested in powering your home with solar energy but don’t know where to start?

Before investing in solar, you should apply some of the simplest energy-saving improvements—get an energy audit, seal air leaks, add insulation, maintain or upgrade heating and cooling equipment, use a programmable thermostat. By investing in energy efficiency first, you can decrease your overall energy demand, reduce the size of and the investment needed for your solar energy system, and optimize the returns on your system.

Now that you’re ready to explore solar, here are a few steps to follow:

Get educated. Solar power can generate electricity, heat water, or help heat your home. Making electricity is the most common application of solar energy in Minnesota today, and solar heating applications are increasing too. Learn about solar through sources such as the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), Minnesota Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Take a class on solar basics. Check the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system or community education opportunities in your area. Also, talk to neighbors and friends who have installed solar.

Plan your system. Find out if your location is suitable for solar. A “Minnesota Solar Suitability App” developed by the University of Minnesota can help identify the solar potential for homes and businesses in Minnesota, but you will need a site assessment to determine if your location can capture enough of the sun’s rays. A third-party source, such as the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, can provide an independent site assessment.

Learn how to pay for it. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency provides the most complete list of financial incentives for solar systems. It includes information on the 30 percent federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit (good through 2016); incentive programs, rebates, and loans from utilities and state agencies (including the Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program); and state sales and property tax exemptions. Your solar contractor can help identify financing options.

Get bids. To locate installers near you, check lists from Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and the Clean Energy Project Builders. Get two or three bids and make sure you compare apples to apples. Be sure each bid specifies system type and size, expected energy production, maintenance requirements, warranties, and installed cost.

Finalize a contract with a professional solar installation company and have your system installed.

Maintain your system and keep track of its energy production.

If your home is not suitable for a solar energy system, you can consider subscribing to a community solar garden. CERTs offers information on Community Solar Gardens, an emerging option among several Minnesota electric utilities. Another option for some electricity customers is a green pricing program.

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