Solar vs. grid power: how much can you save?
Electricity rates are on the rise. The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that electricity prices in the U.S. rose 6.2% in 2023 alone.
Homeowners across the country are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs and many are turning to solar energy. But just how much can you save with solar and is it worth the investment?
Solar customers can often save tens of thousands of dollars over the lifespan of their solar system. To determine exactly how much you can save, you’ll have to do a little math.
Compare your current cost per kW from Avista Corp with the cost per kW of your solar system. Then calculate your monthly or yearly expenses across a 25-year period. Finally, subtract your total cost of energy with solar from your total of energy from the grid to determine your savings
A simpler way to estimate your savings potential is to compare your current monthly energy costs with your projected solar payments. If your energy costs are higher than your solar payments, there is a good chance you will see savings.
At Solar Cost Calculator, we suggest that anybody paying more than $100 a month for electricity should consider solar.
What solar incentives Avista Corp does offer?
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.myavista.com/energy-savings/tools-for-your-business/rebates-idaho
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Federal Government
Incentive Amount : Foodservice Equipment Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV): $600/HP Deep Vat Fryer: $850 - $1,000/unit Steam Cooker: $2,300 - $2,500/unit Cooktop & Range: $100 - $250/unit Griddle: $600/foot Conveyor Toaster: $200 - $400 Steam Table: $200/unit Induction Soup Well: $150/unit Holding Cabinet: $200 - $500 Holding Bin: $30/bin Hand Wrap Machine: $125 Dishwasher: Up to $5,850 Ovens: $800 - $7,000 Ice Machines: $150 - $450 Ultra Low Temp Freezer: $1,200 Lighting Replacement Lamps: $3 - $35 Replacement Fixtures: $20 - $600 Controls: $17 - $150 New Construction Lighting (MH, HPS, MV): $170 - $250 HVAC and Water Heating Air Source Heat Pump: $300 - $500 Mini-/Multi-Split Heat Pump: $180 - $600 Air Source Heat Pump: $300 -$600 Furnaces: $400 - $650 Heat Pump Water Heaters: $100 - $600 Gas Water Heaters: $100 - $475 HVAC variable frequency drive retrofit: $200/unit Insulation:$1.00 - $1.25/SQft Grocer Program: See form for details Multifamily Development: Up to $3,000 Green Motors Initiative: $1 per horsepower Commercial Compressed Air Program: See website for details Pay for Performance Program: $0.08 per kWh and $1.25 per therm Site-specific incentives: Up to $0.23 per kWh saved or up to $3.50 per therm saved
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.myavista.com/energy-savings/rebates-idaho
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Rebates Electric to Natural Gas Furnace: up to $2,100 Energy Star Certified Smart Thermostat: $150 Insulation: up to $0.75 per sp. ft. Windows: $90 - $225/unit Sliding Glass Doors: $240 - $600/unit Energy Star Certified or R-5 Insulated Exterior Door: $100 Energy Star Certified Appliance Rebates Front Load Washer: $50 Dryer: $50 Refrigerator/Freezer: $100 Freezer: $50 Energy Star Certified Manufactured Homes Avista Electric and Gas Customers: $1,000 Avista Electric or Gas Customers: $600 HVAC and Water Heating Program See incentive details here
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.myavista.com/energy-savings/green-options/go-solar/getting-connected
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.myavista.com/energy-savings/rebates-washington
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Furnaces: $450-$800 Boilers: $450 Water Heaters: $100-$500 Tankless Water Heater: $400 Smart Thermostat: up to $200 Insulation: up to $1.50 per sq. ft. Windows: Up to $10.00 per sq. ft. Clothes Washers/Dryers: $50 ENERGY STAR Certified Refrigerators/Freezers: $50-$100 Doors: up to $100 Conversion to air source/ductless heat pumps: up to $1000 Multifamily Rebates Baseboard heat thermostat: $20 Insulation: $0.75 per sq. ft. Windows: Up to $10 per sq. ft.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.myavista.com/energy-savings/tools-for-your-business/rebates-washington
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Federal Government
Incentive Amount : Food Service Equipment: varies widely Lighting: Varies HVAC Variable Frequency Drives: $200 per unit Green Motors Initiative: $1 per HP, from 15 hp - 500 hp Wall Insulation: $1.00-$1.25/sq. ft. Roof Insulation: $1.00/sq. ft. Attic Insulation: $1.00-$1.25/sq. ft. Compressed Air: Varies Fleet Heat Program: Varies Commercial Clothes Washers: $200 Commercial Connected Programmable Thermostats: $150
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.myavista.com/energy-savings/tools-for-your-business/rebates-washington
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Federal Government
Incentive Amount : Food Service Equipment: varies widely Lighting: varies widely Furnaces and Boilers: $12.00/kBtu Air Source and Mini-split Heat Pump: $300-$600/unit Heat Pump Water Heater: $600 HVAC variable frequency drive retrofit: $200/unit Wall Insulation: $1.00-$1.25/sq. ft. Roof Insulation: $1.00/sq. ft. Attic Insulation: $1.00-$1.25/sq. ft. Commercial Clothes Washers: $200 Commercial Connected Programmable Thermostats: $150
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : http://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/energy/Pages/netMetering.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Net metering with Avista Corp
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.myavista.com/energy-savings/green-options/go-solar/getting-connected
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : http://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/energy/Pages/netMetering.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Installing and connecting your solar system
When you install a solar system in Avista Corp territory, these are steps you can expect to go through:
Once you’ve hired a contractor, you will need to communicate with Avista Corp to prepare the interconnection paper. Your contractor will handle most of these responsibilities
After the interconnection agreement has been finalized, your contractor can begin the installation process.
Once your system is installed, it needs to be inspected for safety and code compliance.
After the final inspection, you will receive a written notice within a few days that your system is approved to operate. You can turn on the system yourself or you can contact your installer for further assistance.
Most homeowners prefer to do it themselves. The whole process should only take 10 - 15 minutes.
Is solar worth it for Avista Corp customers?
The short and sweet answer is a resounding YES. Going solar is definitely worth it for Avista Corp customers. The average homeowner in _UtilityCompanyName_ can save an estimated #### over the lifespan of their solar system.
Going solar is a long game so you need to think several years ahead. It can take a few years to hit your break even period. But between net metering and solar incentives, you can drastically reduce that timeframe.
Want to get an idea for what it will cost you to go solar with Avista Corp? You can use our Solar Cost Calculator to generate a customized estimate instantly. We take into consideration a wide range of criteria including location, electric bill, roof size, and other factors. Try it out today and start planning for your future.
