How to Save Money with Home Solar Panels

May 25, 2022

There are several reasons why people install solar panels on their homes. According to Solstice, around 58% of homeowners who have installed solar panels on their homes list the fact that solar energy is clean and does not contribute to climate change. Apart from that, there is a lot of information on how solar panels can help you save money. However, this leaves some homeowners confused, considering how costly solar panels are to install. So how exactly can solar panels help you to save money? Here's how you can save money by installing solar panels in your home.



Reduced or Zero Electric Costs


This is probably one of the most obvious ways to save money with solar. Electricity bills can be quite expensive. Fortunately, the moment you install solar, your electric bill will become significantly lower, or even nonexistent. This is what makes solar so attractive for most homeowners.



Electricity bills go up each year. Once you install
home solar panels, you will be shielded from the effects of these increases. The more these bills go up, the more money you save by having solar on your home. This is because solar makes your electricity bill consistent.



It might seem like you are not saving a lot on electricity bills when you install solar panels. Well, after all, all you need to pay for electricity is $50 or $100. This doesn't seem like much when you are making payments each month. However, these bills will quickly add up when you look at a ten-year period, or even thirty years.



You Can Sell the Electricity You Generate


Did you know that installing solar on your home basically turns your home into an electricity-generating plant? Depending on where you stay and the type of solar system you have, you can even sell solar power back into the grid. This is done through a process known as net metering. Net metering enables you to use the power you put into the grid to offset your electricity cost when there is less solar energy generation.



There are seasons when the power you generate with your solar panels is way more than the power you use in your home. During these months, your extra electricity will not go to waste. Instead, it will go back into the grid, where it will be distributed to other homes. During seasons like winter, when you are not generating a lot of electricity through solar, the extra energy that you contributed to the grid will then be given to you as credits that you can use to pay your increased winter bills.



Solar Protects You From Expensive Electricity Pricing Schemes


A lot of utility companies in the United States work with pricing schemes that enable homeowners to be charged using different rates at different times during the day. This is done to mimic the exact cost of energy generation at different times of the day. For instance, you may be charged higher rates in the afternoon and lower rates at night. Installing home solar panels can be quite beneficial if you are in an area where these time-varying rates are used. The solar energy that you produce during the afternoon will offset the most costly electricity.



The extent to which this is beneficial will depend on the exact timing and degree of rate changes under such plans. Similarly, some utility companies have rates that vary seasonally due to demand fluctuations. Companies that charge higher rates during the summer months make solar more valuable.



Home Solar Panels Boost Home Value


Did you know that installing solar panels on your home increases its value? For instance, a home in a state like California will be worth more the moment you install home solar panels. Therefore, if you are looking to buy a home that has solar installed, you should expect to pay more than what people are paying for non-solar homes. This is because such a home will give you a lot of energy savings, tax credits, and rebate programs.



According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, home solar panels generally add about $15,000 to a home's value. This makes installing solar a great way to save money and increase the value of your home.



These are some of the ways you can save money with solar. If you are looking to add some home solar panels to your home, get in touch with us today.

June 20, 2025
Right now, the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) offers a 30% tax credit to businesses that install solar energy systems. Originally scheduled to continue through 2033, the current Senate version of the bill maintains this 30% rate only through the end of 2025. After that, the credit is set to step down sharply: 18% in 2026, 6% in 2027, and 0% in 2028 and beyond. Don’t Miss the Safe Harbor Window Fortunately, there’s a way to lock in the full 30% credit before it’s reduced. Under the IRS’s "safe harbor" provision, you can preserve the full ITC by beginning physical work on your project or making a minimum 5% down payment by the end of 2025 — even if your system is completed in 2026. This is a powerful opportunity to secure long-term financial benefits while the full federal incentive is still available. Stackable Incentives Make the Financials Even Better Beyond the ITC, there are several additional programs that can dramatically reduce your project’s net cost: 10% Domestic Content Bonus: Earn an extra 10% tax credit for using U.S.-made solar components. Focus on Energy Rebates: A Wisconsin-based program offering upfront cash rebates for solar projects. MACRS Accelerated Depreciation: A federal tax benefit that allows you to recover the cost of your solar system more quickly through tax deductions. Solar Central Wisconsin Grow Solar Group Buy: Group pricing and additional resources that make going solar more affordable for local businesses. When stacked together, these incentives can cover a significant portion of your total investment, all while reducing your energy bills for decades to come. Why Act Now Solar has always been a smart investment, but today’s environment is uniquely favorable. With utility energy costs rising and key federal credits sunsetting, 2025 is the year to take action. Whether you’ve previously explored solar or are just getting started, revisiting your project now could mean locking in tens of thousands of dollars in savings. Northwind Solar can help you navigate every step, from incentive qualification to project design and installation. Improve your profitability by making a high-performing energy investment in your business. Achieve energy independence, support local businesses, and contact Northwind Solar today! REQUEST A FREE ESTIMATE Reach out anytime at: 715‑630‑6451 ___________________ Additional Resources: Update on Residential Solar Incentive Changes Solar Incentives Overview Grow Solar Central Wisconsin Group Buy Program
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June 10, 2025
Northwind Solar is proud to continue its partnership as the official installer for the 2025 Grow Solar Central Wisconsin Group Buy Program , in collaboration with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association ( MREA ). This initiative offers homeowners and small businesses in Portage, Marathon, Waushara, Waupaca, Wood, and Lincoln Counties an exceptional opportunity to invest in solar energy at below-market rates through a limited-time group purchasing program. However, a critical deadline is approaching. Recent legislative developments indicate that the 30% federal Residential Solar Tax Credit —a significant incentive that substantially reduces the cost of solar installations—may expire on December 31, 2025, nearly a decade earlier than previously scheduled. This potential change underscores the urgency for homeowners to act swiftly to secure both the group buy discounts and the federal tax credit. “We’re excited to once again be working with the Grow Solar program to expand solar access in our region,” said Woody Bolton, employee-owner at Northwind Solar. “With the possibility of the federal tax credit ending soon, it's more important than ever for our neighbors to take advantage of these combined savings.” The Grow Solar program facilitates community members joining forces to leverage bulk pricing for solar installations, significantly reducing the cost of going solar. The program features free educational events, called Solar Power Hours, which help residents learn about solar energy, how it works, available incentives, and what to expect from an installation. “In times of uncertainty and climbing prices, one thing remains the same: we all need electricity,” said Evonne Waugh, program manager at MREA. “Investing in solar means securing lower bills for many years ahead.” Since its inception, Grow Solar Central Wisconsin has helped over 250 households and businesses make the switch to solar, adding nearly 2 megawatts of clean energy capacity to the local grid and generating millions of kilowatt-hours of renewable power annually. REQUEST A FREE ESTIMATE TODAY! ATTEND A SOLAR POWER HOUR INFO SESSION
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