Solar energy is an intelligent choice for Yale University’s hometown

The state of solar in New Haven

At 204 sunny days per year,^*Best Places. Climate in New Haven, CT, April 2021. New Haven experiences an average level of sunshine compared to other U.S. cities, but 79% of the rooftops in the city are still solar variable.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018). The City of New Haven has committed to purchasing 100% clean energy for municipal buildings, encouraging residents to power their homes with solar energy as well.

How much solar energy does New Haven produce?

As of 2018, New Haven had 735 kW of installed solar PV on residential properties, and this power continues to increase as more residents switch to solar energy. New Haven currently has several community solar projects installed across the city, including a 9.24 kW project on Button St. and an 11.24 kW array on Plymouth St.

Yale's campus in New Haven also uses solar arrays to power academic and residential buildings. The school's largest solar installation is the 1.34 MW West Campus Solar Array, which generates 1.6 million kWh of solar power each year^*Yale University. Yale Sustainability, Energy, May 2021..

What are the advantages of going solar in New Haven?

Connecticut has the highest energy costs in the U.S.^*WalletHub, Most & Least Energy-Expensive States, July 2020. However, the cost of solar in the state has fallen 45% in the last five years.^*Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Connecticut Solar. Q4 2020. As a result, switching to solar energy could offer significant electricity cost savings. A 5 kW solar system has the potential to pay for itself within a decade and save you over $30,000 with 20 years of use.^*Energy Sage, Solar Panels in New Haven, CT, May 2021.

Going solar is also an effective way to reduce carbon emissions throughout our community. If New Haven reached its solar potential, the city’s carbon emissions would decrease by 177,000 metric tons. This reduction is equivalent to removing 37,500 cars from the road for a year.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018)

How much does solar cost in New Haven?

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

• Available roof space

• Weather

• Household’s energy needs

• Quality of the solar system

• Angle of the roof

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 for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020

In New Haven, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,600 to $21,000, or in other words, from $2.72 to $4.20 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

You may be able to take advantage of the Connecticut Green Bank Residential Solar Investment Program (RSIP) to offset your solar installation costs by $0.426 per installed watt. The program’s performance-based incentive could also allow you to lease a solar system for little to no upfront costs. This program can potentially be utilized alongside the 26% federal tax credit.^*Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What's the best way to go solar in New Haven?

Every solar installation is different. The best way to maximize your return on investment is to work with a reputable solar provider to evaluate your average energy usage, available unshaded roof space, and budget constraints.

You'll also need to consider if you want a just solar, or solar + battery storage for additional peace of mind. You should be offered a consultation, where your installer will provide a custom system design, price and savings quote, an overview of any available incentives, and much more. This consultation also provides an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about solar power or the installation process.

If you’re ready to make the switch, we’re happy to help. Simply contact our team by requesting a free consultation. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time that works for you. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.