Connecticut solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows homeowners to claim 26% of the cost of their solar power system installed until 2022 as an income tax deduction. For example, if your solar system costs $20,000, you are eligible for $5,200 (26% of the total gross cost) in tax credit. Solar system cost comprises not only the money spent on solar panels, but also freight shipping costs, professional installer fees, tools bought or rented, and so on. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

The Net Metering policy in Connecticut has made it easier for its customers to sell excess solar power instead of storing the energy in batteries. Your PV system will start to pay for itself primarily through the Net Metering program by selling solar energy that you haven’t used into the commercial grid. You will gain credits from the utility company to zero out future bills.

The credit value in Connecticut is slightly less than your utility retail rate per kWh. Credits continue to roll over monthly and are stored for up to a year which need to be cashed out at the beginning of the new annual cycle.

One of the top Net Metering programs in Connecticut is by Eversource. To join the program, you must submit an application and pay an interconnection fee.

Supported by the Connecticut Green Bank, the Residential Solar Investment Program is a rebate program open to households of 1–4 that are customers of Eversourse or United Illuminating. This rebate is worth $0.463 per watt of solar power installed (up to 10kW) which would equal $2,315 directly for a 5kW system. This program has a capacity of 300MW so make sure to sign up while there's still room.

Connecticut PV System owners can avoid paying additional property taxes on the added value their solar system brings to their home by applying for a solar system tax exemption. This certificate will ensure any new PV system installed and its equipment will not be part of your property tax. Additionally, any such home improvement will definitely make it about 4% more valuable on the property market, says the 2019 Zillow report.

Although Connecticut doesn’t offer solar easements, it does offer a land subdivision which will help ensure your PV system always has adequate sun exposure, protecting you from potential obstacles. Subdivision of land will help guarantee that your neighbor will not 

enlarge the size of their building or allow their vegetation to block sunlight from reaching your system.

It is legal to install solar panels on your house in Connecticut, but a permit application is required before you begin. You may also face some restrictions when installing a solar PV system, so it’s better to contact your homeowner’s association (HOAs) to be certain of any restrictions that may be in your area. HOAs in Connecticut define a neighborhood’s aesthetic rules. You may have to submit your project for approval before changing the exterior of your house. The board may ask you to hide the system from view, reduce the number of panels or just reject your proposal.

Hurricane season peaks in Connecticut from June through November. Located right on the east coast, Connecticut residents should always be prepared for a hurricane. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy left over 486,000 of customers without power across Connecticut. Solar panels are manufactured to withstand most hurricanes, and in any power outage, solar panels will help you survive a blackout. As stated by the Environmental Protection Agency, our climate is changing and natural disasters are becoming more frequent, but by powering your home with solar energy you will no longer have to worry about blackouts.