How do I Get Free Solar Panels in Michigan?
Solar panels are an energy-efficient way to heat or cool your home. Rays from the sun are converted to energy via these panels. This can relieve you from traditional home temperature control costs based on fuel or electricity. If you live in Michigan, you can even own these solar panel for free after obtaining a rebate and government assistance. The state offers several plans that can help defer the cost of heating and cooling your home even more. Does this Spark an idea?
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Solar Currents Program
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If you live in the Detroit area, this program can provide you with a cash rebate based on the size and wattage of your solar panels. The program offers $2.40 per watt and 11 cents per kilowatt for every kilowatt produced by your panels. This is in addition to the 30 percent tax credit that Michigan residents and all U.S. residents can receive by switching to solar power. By using this program, your solar panels will pay for themselves over time and therefore be free.
Feed-In Tariff (FiT)
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By installing panels that are associated with the FiT program, you will be producing not only energy to power your own home, but also energy that will support your city. As a result, you will be considered a utility service and will receive payment for the energy that you export. So, if you have a $50 electricity bill but you put out more energy than you are using just for your home, you will obtain a profit every month. Over time, this will cover the cost of your solar panels.
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Net Metering Program
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This program will monitor the amount of extra energy that is produced by the solar panels during daylight hours. Then, during darkness, when the panels are no longer creating energy, you will get the extra energy back for the lower daytime price. This price is lower than the "prime" night rates. If you produce enough unused energy, your savings could be great enough that they will defer the costs of your panels. This is good for people who don't use much electricity during prime hours.
Solar Rebate
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This rebate is upfront and depends on the number of kilowatt hours that your solar panels produce throughout the year. It can cover up to 35 percent of the cost of your solar panels, which gives you some of the panels for free. New homes get $3 per kilowatt. If your home is older and has the solar panels installed, you will get $2.50 per kilowatt. You are also still eligible for the nationwide 30 percent tax credit on this program.
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References
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