Daunted by all the quotes and estimates, keeping it all straight in your mind, or just don't have time for all that? We hear you! Try these simple steps:

1. Consult an Energy Coach. A number of experienced residents volunteer as coaches to help fellow residents understand and get through the process of installing solar PV and maximizing other renewable energy opportunities for their particular home. Email Sherborn’s Head Coach David Green at davidlcgreen@gmail.com.

2. Start getting estimates from multiple installers in the area, such as  Boston Solar (617-858-1645) and  Sunlight Solar (781-373-3263), and  SolarFlair Energy Inc. (508-293-4293). Be advised that due to the popularity of solar, most installers are booked out for many months.

3. Would you like more estimates? Go to  EnergySage, a clearinghouse for solar installs: they will help you put your bid "out there" - many more installers will get back to you.

4. Let us know how it went! Contact us or contribute a story under the “Testimonials" tab.

Why start getting estimates from Boston Solar, Sunlight Solar, and SolarFlair first? Other MassEnergize communities have provided positive endorsements about the quality of their equipment and installation and their exceptional customer service. Boston Solar has served Natick well for a very successful round of Mass Solarize. Green Newton has worked with Sunlight Solar on their most recent solar campaign and was impressed with their low cost and quality service. SolarFlair has served Sherborn in a successful solar campaign resulting in over 40 residential systems. Please note that Sustainable Sherborn does not receive compensation from these companies. 

We strongly recommend that you consider going solar asap and cash in on the incentives:

• Federal Investment Tax Credit  (ITC) of 26% (decreasing to 22% in January 2023, and zero at the end of 2024) of the total cost of your PV solar energy system. (This applies only to those who buy their PV system outright, either with a cash purchase or solar loan). If you don't pay a lot of federal taxes, you can spread the credit over multiple years. There is no $ limit on the credit, and the cost of roof replacement or tree work related to the installation may be eligible for the tax credit as well. 
• MA income tax credit of 15%  coverage of the system cost, with a $1000 maximum credit amount. Also only for homeowners.
• Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART): the State of Massachusetts pays utility customers a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy produced for 10 years. For systems under 25 kilowatts (kW), the rate ranges from 29 to 31 cents per kWh, depending upon your location and utility. For comparison, the regular retail rate in MA is closer to 20 cents, indicating large savings from the SMART incentives. The state also provides higher incentive rates for low-income customers or those who install battery storage to pair with their solar panel system, making solar power more accessible to more customers in the state. 
• Sales tax and property tax incentives are two additional major Massachusetts tax exemptions for solar homeowners. Both of these tax breaks are attractive ones because they ensure 100% tax exemption from both sales and property tax payments which certainly add up over time.
• Retirees or single-earner families with lower incomes may qualify for  Mass Solar Loan incentives and see an even quicker payback.
• Net metering: solar homeowners receive bill credits from their utility for the energy they are overproducing and sending back to the grid.

FAQ

• • How does solar power work? Solar electric systems, also known as solar photovoltaics or solar PV, convert sunlight into electrical energy through an array of solar panels that connect to a building’s electrical system or directly to the electrical grid. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has some good background information on this here. 
  • How do I know if my home is suitable for solar? You can view your roof on Google Project Sunroof and get a quick analysis of your roof’s shape, orientation, and potential number of panels that can be placed on it. That analysis also provides a rough estimate of financial savings and compares financing options available to the homeowner.
  • In general, south-facing roofs with little shade are best, but east and west-facing roofs work well too as long as there is little shade. Ideal roofs have long expanses of open areas but panels can be placed on smaller areas as well. Any installer you contact should be able to tell you on the phone if your roof is a good candidate. Some installers only want to work on the best roofs, but ultimately it is up to you to decide if you want solar or not. 
  • What if my roof is old? Should I replace it before installing solar panels? 15 years is about the dividing line between installing panels on the current roof and replacing the roof and then installing panels. If you install the panels on the existing roof, the panels will protect the part of the roof on which they are installed. You can have the panels taken off and reinstalled when you decide to re-roof.
  • Do I have to maintain my solar system? Generally, the panels will sit up on the roof out of sight and out of mind, powering your home, even on cloudy days. There are no maintenance contracts to buy and New England weather will keep the panels pretty clean.
  • What happens when it snows? Snow will pile up on solar panels, but the sun’s energy soon melts the bottom layer next to the panels and the snow will come sliding down quickly, assuming you have a pitched roof. Snow guards are available to protect people and plants walking below the edge of the roof.
  • What about critters? If you frequently see squirrels on your roof, you can add critter guards to prevent them from damaging your system wiring.
  • How do I get paid for the electricity my system sends to the electric grid? On the days that your system makes more electricity than you consume, your meter will run backward. This is called net-metering. If you consume more than you produce over the billing period, Eversource will charge you for the excess (kilowatt-hours) purchased. If your system has overproduced, Eversource will not pay you back at the end of the billing period. Instead, they will put those kilowatts-hours in reserve. You can use up that credit during the winter months when your system won’t produce as much. If at the end of a full year you still have a credit, you may transfer your credit to any other electricity user in your load-zone. More info  here.
  • How big should my solar system be? It makes sense to have a system that is properly sized just to cover your electric bill. However, you may decide to install a bigger solar system with future added electricity use in mind, like an electric car, or air-source heat pumps for heating and cooling.
  • What is the process for going solar? Generally, a solar installer will ask for a copy of your electric bill and will prepare a proposed layout and financial estimate based on that and your roof space. Some parts of your roof may get more sun than others; you can change the layout to meet your needs. Once you have approved the design and signed off on the financials, the solar installer will handle the installation, checking roof structural support, pulling permits, obtaining equipment and scheduling the work. Actual installation usually takes about 2 days – electrical work and roof racking on day 1 and panel installation on day 2. After building and electrical inspections, Eversource will come out to install a new meter and give you approval to power up your system.
  • What happens when the grid is down? If you're looking to keep using solar-generated electricity when the grid is down, you'll have to add a backup battery system. Otherwise, if there is a power outage, your electricity generation will be disabled automatically during the power outage, for safety.