WHAT TO EXPECT?
Every site and project is unique. The project costs below represent our general but extensive experience in bringing renewable systems to a variety of clients and buildings.
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR
Solar domestic hot water – – Cost: @ $12,000
Easily the best of renewable investments: reasonable payback, durable and reliable technology, easy to install. On new construction, often pays for itself from day one.
Solar hot water and space heating — – Cost: @ $30,000
Excellent overall value. On sunny winter days, produces big energy savings and is readily incorporated into existing mechanical and heating plant systems.
Solar electric—fixed mount — – Cost: @ $10,000/kilowatt, or $35,000 for 3.5 kW system
Stable design, relatively low cost, easily integrated into existing electrical system. With net metering, many days will see the meter spinning backward—and no messy batteries.
Solar electric—dual axis tracker — – Cost: @ $13,000/kilowatt, or $45,000 for 3.5 kW system
High-tech sensor driven motor tracks the arc of the sun daily and across seasons. Produces more power per panel, so higher efficiency at a higher cost.
Note: The average home in this area uses @ 7,200 kWhs a year, and a 3.5 kW solar array produces @ 4,300 kWhs annually, or 60% of typical consumer’s electric needs.
RESIDENTIAL WIND
Small turbines (2.5 kW producing @3,500 kWh) — – Cost: @ $25,000-$30,000
Small turbines work well, are reliable and have a long history. Very solid producers in the right spot but make less energy per dollar invested than most solar electric systems.
Mid-size turbines (5 kW producing @ 8,000 kWh) — – Cost: @ $60,000
Outperform solar on return on investment, but with 80’-120’ towers are still relatively hard to site and, with significant moving parts, do require regular maintenance.
Large turbines (10-70 kW producing @ 25,000 kWh): @ $85,000
Good return on investment. High producer of electricity and will require interconnection and buy-back agreements with utility. These are big units needing space to site major towers as well as regular professional maintenance.
INCENTIVES AND GRANTS
State: Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program provides grants for investing in solar and wind projects, but not every utility in Wisconsin subscribes to Focus on Energy. Check with your local utility for details.
The Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program: PDF and the Minnesota Solar Hot Water Rebate Program: PDF provide rebates for Minnesotans investing in solar hot water and electric systems.
Federal: For individuals and businesses, starting in 2009 there is a 30% Federal tax credit for investing in solar PV, with no cap or AMT liability limitation. Federal solar hot water tax credit is also at 30%, but is capped at $2,000. Currently there is a $4,000 Federal tax credit for individuals investing in wind turbines, and a Production Tax Credit for wind-generated electricity sold back to the utility.
Local: Some local utilities will provide additional rebates for solar hot water systems, and some local utility cooperatives in Wisconsin who are not part of Focus on Energy have their own incentive programs.
SAMPLE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR HOT WATER WORKSHEET
SolRes™ 80
Initial Cost: $12,000
State Rebate: $2,500
Fed Tax Credit:$2,000
Rebates and credits: $4,500
Final Project Cost $7,500
Energy Saved: @125 thermal units of natural gas annually.
