New England’s Rising Star shines bright with solar power

The state of solar in Hartford

While the national annual average of sunny days is 205, Hartford, CT, only has a yearly average of 189 days.^*Best Places, Climate in Hartford, Connecticut (accessed 8/25/2021) However, the city is taking strides to bring clean energy to its residents, which is why it ranks at Number 20 in the nation for solar power generation. Hartford expects to continue expanding its solar initiatives, including growing its six-acre solar farm on a former landfill.^*Hartford Courant, "Hartford's former landfill is home to nearly 4,000 solar panels. The city wants to build more" (published 8/2/2019)

How much solar energy does Hartford produce?

Hartford is one of the top twenty cities in the country that offers more than 50 watts of solar energy capacity per capita. Shining City reports that Hartford has 69.8 watts of solar capacity per capita, with 8.56 megawatts (i.e., 8.56 million watts) of total solar installed.

What are the advantages of going solar in Hartford?

Going solar in Hartford offers many environmental benefits. Every county in Connecticut, including Hartford County, has a failing grade for ozone pollution, according to The American Lung Association’s 2020 “State of the Air” report.^*Hartford Courant, "Hartford's former landfill is home to nearly 4,000 solar panels. The city wants to build more" (published 8/2/2019) Since solar energy is clean and sustainable, it won’t contribute to air pollution or negatively impact water sources and ecosystems.

Residents who go solar can also experience financial savings. Generating energy from the sun significantly reduces your reliance on the municipal electrical grid, which saves on monthly expenses. Installing solar panels will also boost your home’s property value, making the investment worthwhile.

How much does solar cost in Hartford?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Solar panel quality Household energy needs

• Solar energy provider

• Roof size and shape Weather

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources,^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020. for thousands of homeowners across the country.

In Hartford, we found that the investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,650 to $19,100, or, in other words, from $2.73 to $3.82 per watt—and that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

A kilowatt is 1000 watts of power. A measure of energy output, a kWh (kilowatt-hour) is 1000 watts (a kilowatt) producing energy for one hour. The average U.S. household uses just over 900 kWh per month.^*Energy Sage, What is a Kilowatt Hour? (Accessed Sept. 10, 2021).

People often assume that the cost of installing a solar system is as expensive as it was in previous years, but that is a misconception. The cost of solar equipment is steadily declining and is currently 65% lower than it was a decade ago.^*Department of Energy, Top Reasons to Love Solar Energy (accessed 12/20/21) You can save more on a solar system with federal, state, and local incentives.

In the U.S., all residents who install a new solar system can claim the solar tax credit on their federal income taxes. The incentive makes going solar in Hartford less expensive and more accessible by providing a 26% tax credit on the cost of the solar system.^*Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

The state also provides tax exemptions for all residents who go solar. In Hartford, you won’t have to worry about paying additional fees for property or sales taxes; they are entirely exempt from taxation.^*Solar-Nation, Hartford, CT Solar Panel Installation Info, (accessed 8/25/2021)

Another way to save is through net metering with Hartford utility companies like Eversource. The program allows eligible customers to connect their solar systems to the electrical grid with a meter. If the system is less than 2 megawatts and produces a surplus of solar energy, you would send the overflow to the grid in exchange for credits on future utility bills.^*Eversource, Connecticut Net Metering (accessed 8/25/2021)

Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Similarly, the availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Hartford?

The best way to go solar in Hartford is to work with a reputable solar provider with experience meeting the clean energy needs of their clients. It takes a lot of work and research to go solar on your own, but you can take the guesswork out of the process by working with a professional solar contractor.

Before meeting with a solar contractor, it’s worth using a solar savings estimator to quickly build an initial custom solar system design for your roof with an estimate of how much money you’ll save on electric bills and the amount of power it will produce.

The solar provider has the experience to help you determine the number and quality of high-efficiency solar panels you need to meet your household’s energy needs. These professionals will consider your home’s exterior aesthetic, budget, roof size, and solar energy storage needs to find and install the best solar system for your property.

Get started now. Request your consultation with SunPower representatives. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.