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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 Southwestern Electric Power Co 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 Southwestern Electric Power Co does offer?
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.lpsc.louisiana.gov/Utilities_NetMetering
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Residential, Agricultural
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.swepco.com/savings/business/louisiana
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Federal Government
Incentive Amount : Please contact SWEPCO Energy Efficiency & Consumer Programs Manager Steve Mutiso at [email protected].
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.swepco.com/savings/home/money/rebates/
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Advanced power strips: $10 - $25/unit ENERGY STAR® certified air purifiers: $50 - $125/unit ENERGY STAR® certified clothes washers: $75 ENERGY STAR® certified clothes dryers: $100 ENERGY STAR® certified dehumidifiers: $25 ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump water heaters: $500 - $1,150/unit ENERGY STAR® certified Level 2 electric vehicle charging station: $250/unit ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs: Up to $6/bulb ENERGY STAR® certified pool pumps: $250 - $275/unit ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats: $75/unit ENERGY STAR® window replacements: $2.50/sq. ft.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://swepcosavings.com/#/commercial
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Nonprofit, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Institutional
Incentive Amount : See website for detailed incentive amounts Standard Commercial and Industrial Pathway Incentive Rates: Incentives range from $0.10 - $0.14/kWh for varying energy efficiency measures. $0.10/kWh - PC power management $0.12/kWh - LED/fluorescent lighting, refrigerator & freezer gaskets/strip curtains $0.14/kWh - Air compressor upgrades, ENERGY STAR pool pumps, motor & VFD upgrades, lighting controls, refrigerator upgrades. CoolSaver Incentive Rate: $225 - $2,500 based on unit tonnage
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://swepcosavings.com/#/residential
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : ENERGY STAR Appliances/Products: Heat Pump Water Heaters - $500 Level-2 EV Charger - $250 Pool Pump - $250 Smart Thermostat - $75 Clothes Washers - $75 Air Purifiers - $50 Air Dehumidifiers - $25 Advanced Power Strips - $10-$25 LEDs - Up to $6 per bulb Multifamily Pathway/Residential SWEPCO Inspection Offers: Home Energy Assessment: No cost Ceiling Insulation Wall Insulation Attic Insulation Duct Sealing Air Sealing Direct Install Measures Residential Energy Improvement Program Rebates: Duct Sealing - $1.25/CFM reduction single-family, $1.75/CFM multifamily Duct Insulation - $0.50/linear feet Air Infiltration - $0.12/CFM reduction, $0.20/CFM multifamily Attic Knee Wall Insulation - $0.15/sq. ft Wall Insulation - $0.15/sq. ft. Ceiling Insulation - $0.12 - $0.25/sq. ft. CoolSaver HVAC Tune-up - $150 - $200 (tonnage dependent) Hybrid Water Heaters (Heat Pump) - $500 ENERGY STAR Windows - $30/window, $40/half-light door, $80/sliding glass door ENERGY STAR Smart Thermostats - $75 AC Installation - $75 - $200/ton Heat Pump Installation - $250 - $500/ton
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.aeptexasefficiency.com/
Applicable Sectors : Schools
Incentive Amount : SCORE/CitySmart Program: LED Lighting - $200/kW Chillers - $200/kW All Other Measures - $150/kW Air Infiltration - $10/door sweep, $20/weatherstrip
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.aeptexasefficiency.com/#/commercial/south-commercial-solutions
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, State Government, Tribal Government, Institutional
Incentive Amount : SCORE/CitySmart Program LED Lighting - $200/kW Chillers - $200/kW All Other Measures - $150/kW Air Infiltration - $10/door sweep, $20/weatherstrip
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://aeptexasefficiency.com/#/residential/south-coolsaver
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Residential, Installers/Contractors
Incentive Amount : Residential CoolSaver: Tune-up for Existing A/C Unit - $75 - $150/unit Installation of New A/C System - $120 - $1,225/unit Commercial CoolSaver: Tune-up for Existing A/C Unit - $100 - $350
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.swepco.com/savings/home/money/incentives/
Applicable Sectors : Construction, Residential, Installers/Contractors, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners: up to $3,500 Level 2 EV Charging Station: $250/unit Weatherization: Varies, contact AEP for more details Other incentive amounts can be provided by contacting an approved contractor.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Net metering with Southwestern Electric Power Co
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.lpsc.louisiana.gov/Utilities_NetMetering
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Residential, Agricultural
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Installing and connecting your solar system
When you install a solar system in Southwestern Electric Power Co territory, these are steps you can expect to go through:
Once you’ve hired a contractor, you will need to communicate with Southwestern Electric Power Co 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 Southwestern Electric Power Co customers?
The short and sweet answer is a resounding YES. Going solar is definitely worth it for Southwestern Electric Power Co 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 Southwestern Electric Power Co? 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.
