Costs and Benefits to Solar Customers
Solar Purchasing
a Solar System
Residential Installations
The solar rebate for a residential installation is capped
at 80% of the invoiced cost or a maximum of $15,000, whichever
is less.
Commercial Installations
A solar rebate for a commercial installation is capped at
80% of the invoiced cost or a maximum of $100,000.
The total cost for purchasing and
installing the solar system is based on three criteria:
A solar system installer selected from our Participating Company List will assist in you in determining the specific needs for your property.
| Typical Residential Solar System |
| Size |
1 – 3 KW |
| Area covered |
100 – 300 square feet |
| Location |
Installed on roofs, poles or on the ground |
| |
|
Energy Production and Lower
Electricity Costs
| The amount of electricity produced and the potential energy savings vary based on three criteria: |
 |
Size of your system |
|
System orientation |
|
Amount of sunlight processed |
| 1 KW Solar System |
| Produces |
1,700 kilowatt-hours per year |
| Maximum Output |
Summer |
| Cost |
$8,000/ installed (estimate) |
| Electric Bill Savings |
$85/yr - $170/yr |
| |
|
Because solar systems work best during the
summer, customers with solar systems get the greatest benefit
during that time. This is because there are more hours of
sunshine in the summer and summer electric rates are slightly
higher than winter electric rates.
Net Metering - Electric
Bill Credit for Excess Power
Austin Energy customers with solar
systems continue to receive electricity as needed from the
Austin Energy electric grid.
Austin Energy will provide "net metering" for customers
on solar systems. Should a solar system produce more power
at any given moment than the property consumes, the extra
power will flow into the Austin Energy electric gird.
Over any month when a solar system sends
more power into the Austin Energy grid than the homes takes
from the grid, the difference or net will result in a credit
on the customer's electric bill. The credit will be determined
by multiplying the net kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity
fed into the grid times the current fuel charge.
Low Maintenance, Easily
Expandable Systems
Solar systems are easy to maintain
because they have no moving parts. Solar panels can also be
added to the initial system to increase its power capacity.
Solar System Warranties
Solar system modules typically carry
20-30 year warranties. Your system inverter typically carries
a 5-year warranty. The Austin Energy Solar Rebate program
is requiring approved solar system installers to offer 5-year
system warranties.
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