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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 Unitil Energy Systems 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 Unitil Energy Systems does offer?
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.energy.nh.gov/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-rebates/non-residential-sector-competitive-grants-program
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Varies
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://unitil.com/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-programs/natural-gas-programs-rebates-assistance
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Water Heater Rebates Weatherization: 50% of costs Natural Gas Furnaces: $300 - $450 Natural Gas Boilers: $1,000 Condensing Boilers: $1,000 On-Demand Tankless Water Heater: $500 Heat Recovery Ventilators: $500 Boiler Reset Controls: $225 Programmable Thermostats: Up to $25 Wireless Thermostats: Up to $85 Heat Recovery Ventilator: $500
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.energy.nh.gov/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-rebates/commercial-industrial-solar-incentive-program
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Tribal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount : New PV systems less than or equal to 500 kW AC: $0.20/W New Solar Thermal systems with 15 or fewer collectors: $0.12/rated or modeled kBtu/year New Solar Thermal systems with more than 15 collectors: $0.07/rated or modeled kBtu/year
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.unitil.com/ways-to-save/rebates-incentives
Applicable Sectors : Construction, Residential, Installers/Contractors, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Appliances Dehumidifier: $25 Room Air Conditioner: $20 Room Air Purifier: $40 Refrigerator: $40 - $50 Clothes Washer: $25 - $50 Clothes Dryer: $40 Hybrid Electric Clothes Dryer: $100 Heat Pump Clothes Dryer: $200 Pool Pumps: $350 Refrigerator recycling: $50 Heating and Cooling Air Source Heat Pump: $250 per ton Central Air Conditioner: $70 per ton WI-FI Thermostat: $85 per unit Heat Pump Water Heater: $750
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://www.unitil.com/energy-efficiency/natural-gas-programs-rebates-assistance-for-businesses
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Schools, Federal Government, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Heating Condensing Boilers: $1,000-$10,000 Furnaces: $300-$450 Infrared Heaters: $750 Boiler/Water Heaters: $1,000-$1,500 Condensing Unit Heater: $750 Aftermarket Boiler Reset Controls: $225 Steam Traps: $50 Programmable Thermostat (only replacing non-programmable): Up to $25 Kitchen Equipment High-Efficiency Combination Oven: $1,000 High-Efficiency Conveyor Oven: $1,000 High-Efficiency Rack Oven: $1,000 ENERGY STAR® Fryer: $1,000 ENERGY STAR® Convection Oven: $1,000 ENERGY STAR® Steamer: $1,000 ENERGY STAR® Griddle: $500 High-Efficiency Pre-Rinse Spray Valve: $50
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.unitil.com/ways-to-save/rebates-incentives#options
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Federal Government, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Commercial and Industrial Retrofit Program LED Lighting: Varies, see program application for details VFDs: $800 - $1,575, Varies based on HP Custom Incentives: 35% of the project cost or buy down to 1 year pay-back Connected Solutions for Businesses Targeted Commercial/Industrial Load Curtailment: Minimum of $25 /kW-Summer Load Curtailment Storage Targeted Dispatch: Minimum of $170/kW-Summer Electric Kitchen Equipment Combination Oven: $2,000 Convection Oven: $500 Fryer Large Vat: $150 Steam Cooker: $1,000 Dishwasher High Temp – Door Type: $250 Ice Machine – Ice Making Head: $250 Refrigerator: $250 New Equipment & Construction Lighting: Varies, see program application for details VFDs: $800 - $1,575, Varies based on HP Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning: $70 - $250/ton Chillers: $1.25 - $3.50/ton Compressed Air: Varies, see program application for details Custom Projects: 75% of the incremental project cost or buy down to 1 year pay-back Municipal Heating Equipment: Varies by equipment type. See program application for more information.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/programs-and-services/financing
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.masssave.com/business/programs-and-services/building-energy-assessments/small-business-assessments
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Federal Government
Incentive Amount : Up to 70% of installation and equipment costs
Implementing Sector : Utility
Installing and connecting your solar system
When you install a solar system in Unitil Energy Systems territory, these are steps you can expect to go through:
Once you’ve hired a contractor, you will need to communicate with Unitil Energy Systems 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 Unitil Energy Systems customers?
The short and sweet answer is a resounding YES. Going solar is definitely worth it for Unitil Energy Systems 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 Unitil Energy Systems? 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.
