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Solar Education
Solar Owners Manual
This guide serves as a support for solar homeowners whether you’ve just gone solar or you’ve had solar for years. Our goal is to provide practical information and tips to ensure you get the most out of your solar array.
We’ve partnered with Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to provide this Solar Owner’s Manual to you as a complimentary resource. We hope you find it useful now and throughout the life of your array.
Solar Education and Resources
Choosing A Solar Installer
Five Steps to Solar
Solar Funding Opportunities in Washington
Olympia Community Solar partners with Tribes, public agencies, non-profit organizations, and commercial entities to support their solar energy installations with grants. We have dozens of projects in our portfolio and have secured millions of dollars for solar projects around Washington State.
Click the button to learn about our services.
Washington Applicable Solar Incentives
Solar is exempt from Washington State sales tax (6.5%)
Washington has a NET METERING law that allows you to trade your solar generation with the electric utility. Credits in most utility districts are a one-for-one kWh trade, and each month any excess credits roll forward. Watch the video for details:
Federal Income Tax Credits
Residential customers: Your solar investment may be eligible for a Federal Income Tax Credit. Learn more about the ITC from the Department of Energy. Roofing work associated with a solar installation is not eligible for the credit.
Nonprofits, public entities, and Tribes are eligible for the tax credits using the “Elective Pay” option. Learn more about Elective Pay from the IRS.
Solar Financing - Washington
Most customers need financing for a solar installation, tree removal, roof repair, or anything else. Here are some credit unions that offer clean energy financing.
Resource: Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Financing
Generations Credit Union – EZ Solar Loans
generationscreditunion.com loans@generationscreditunion.com 360-357-5660 or 800-672-7211
For The KIDS
Why is Community Solar Important?
Community solar overcomes barriers to solar energy. Those who cannot put solar on their own roof or afford solar individually can participate in and benefit from community solar. Renters, multifamily buildings, and shaded buildings are only a few of the many barriers to solar ownership.
Community solar accelerates the adoption of solar energy through collaborative investment, builds new economic opportunities and creates good paying jobs, and reduces pollution.
Community Solar Education and Resources
Washington Solar Energy Industries Association
The Washington Solar Energy Industries Association is a professional trade association established in October 2013 to be a unified voice for the common business interests
Smart Electric Power Alliance
Community Solar Cost Allocation Strategies: Lessons from Six Utilities – This article gives an explanation as to why it is beneficial for utility companies to
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
NREL – The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides information regarding community solar: Sharing the Sun Sharing the Sun gives an in-depth analysis into what
Coalition for Community Solar Access
The Coalition for Community Solar Access has excellent resources on their webpage.
Tools for Solar Advocacy
EcoWatch: How to Be a Solar Advocate
Learn about the NW energy mix and growth of renewables: Northwest Clean Energy Atlas
Sign up for Olympia Community Solar’s policy advocate network.
Solar 101: A glossary of important terms
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