Solar for BUSINESSES
Madison businesses have many incentives for the purchase of solar energy systems.
Financial Incentives
- Federal Tax Credit – Covers up to 30% of the system cost
- Focus on Energy Incentive – FOE pays up to 35% of the system cost
- Solar systems are exempt from property tax
- The return on investment is typically quicker than with residential systems
Energy Saving Incentives
From the date of installation, a solar electric system will reliably produce electricity during daylight hours for more than thirty years. As the cost of utility supplied electricity inflates, the actual energy savings from the solar system will increase.
Integrating energy efficiency measures into your building can further increase energy savings.
Free Solar Consultation – The MadiSUN Solar Agent
The City of Madison provides FREE consultation to businesses through a “solar agent.” For more information, contact (608) 243-0586 or solar@cityofmadison.com.
What can the solar agent do for me?
- Evaluate your business’s solar options
- Advise you on architectural options
- Explain permits needed, zoning issues that may exist, and how to deal with them
- Find an installer for you and receive quotes from them
- Provide you with a list of local installers
- Assist in applying for Focus on Energy funding for your business
- The installer can fill out the necessary forms for you
- Don’t proceed before the application is approved
- Assist in hiring the installer and proceed with installation
- Installer takes care of building, electrical and plumbing permit
- Installer supplies information needed for Focus on Energy funding
- Installer coordinates connection to utility grid with utility
- Installer installs and commissions the complete system
What does the solar agent need from me?
- The building address—to allow the agent to do an aerial evaluation of your property for proper system siting
- Three years of utility bills, if available—to provide you:
- Net present value (NPV), cash flow analysis, and internal rate of return
- Amount of carbon dioxide avoided per year
- The solar system module capacity for energy production in kilowatt hours (kWh)
- Energy produced and payback
- Rates in kWh
- Depreciation on system
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