It’s Not Too Late for Solar Incentive Tax Credit Eligibility… Here’s Why

When you install your home solar system with Alba Energy before December 31st 2020, you may be eligible to earn 26% of your system cost as an Investment Tax Credit, or ITC.

How Does The Solar ITC Work?

Here’s an example:

Gross System Price: $20,000

Less 26% Tax Credit: ($5,200)

Net Cost: $14,800

Let’s say the system you purchase is $20,000. Your 26% tax credit would be worth $5,200 dollars, meaning that the net cost of your system is now only $14,800 dollars. What’s even better is that using Alba Energy’s SMART Solar Finance options, this system would only be $97 per month. 

And in addition to the 26% solar tax credit, you may also be eligible for solar rebates/incentives from Texas power companies, helping you save even more. The Austin Energy Solar Rebate and CPS Energy Solar Rebate Programs pays as much as $2,500!

How Do You Apply For The Solar Incentive Tax Credit?

File the form 5695 as part of your tax return, and then enter the value of the 26% solar ITC into line 53 of form 1040. Don’t worry, Alba Energy is here to help if you have any questions!

Click to read more on How To Claim The Solar Tax Credit

As always with tax matters, make sure to consult a tax professional or CPA if you have any questions related to your specific situation.

Remember, in order to qualify for the tax credit in 2020, Alba Energy will need to substantially complete your installation by the end of the year, so act fast.

Alba Energy is proud to be a leading solar installer in Texas, with offices across the state. Alba’s SMART solar financing programs allow you to POWER your home with solar panels, pay LESS on electricity bills, and contribute to a CLEAN energy future! Contact Us to find out how much you could be saving with solar.

Request A Free Solar Quote Today!

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Oncor is Giving Incentives for Going Solar

Details of the 2020 Oncor Solar Incentive Program have been released and the Program Launches February 3rd. The Texas-based electric utility will be offering incentives to home and business owners who install solar panels throughout the Oncor Service Region, but it doesn’t last long, so find out now if you qualify.

Though it may seem counter-intuitive for a power company to offer solar rebates & incentives, many electricity providers in Texas have programs that are designed to encourage their customers to go solar to help relieve the stress on the grid at peak usage times.

Request a FREE analysis of how much money you could save by installing a solar system at your location! Just fill out the form below.

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Top 5 Things To Know About Oncor’s Solar Incentive Program

• Energy created from solar panels is energy that electric utilities do not have to produce from their own power plants or purchase on the spot market at higher-than-usual prices. Installing solar panels on your home helps you lower or eliminate your power bill, save money immediately, benefit the environment and also relieve stress on the grid during “peak demand” periods.
• Your solar system becomes your primary power source, with additional power seamlessly available from Oncor (the grid) anytime it is needed.
• Homeowners in the Oncor service regions can receive substantial incentives to offset the cost of installing solar panels on their homes or businesses. The amount of the incentive varies depending on system size, placement and power generated, but our experts can calculate exactly what it will be for your specific application.
• Historically a typical 10 kW residential solar system facing south would be eligible for a $5,000 solar incentive.
• Homeowners must use an approved solar contractor, like Alba Energy, to receive the incentive.

Locations Eligible for the 2020 Oncor Solar Incentive

Oncor’s Service Region spans across Texas and includes 402 cities across 91 counties, encompassing nearly one-third of the state’s geographic area. The map below shows locations within the Oncor Service Region that are eligible for the solar incentive:

SMART Solar Financing Available in the Oncor Region

With SMART Solar Financing from Alba Energy, going solar is affordable for all qualifying applicants, allowing you to save money INSTANTLY! Once you go solar, your new power bill, if any, plus the fixed monthly solar financing should be less than your current power bill! Making it a no-brainer to go solar!

Installing solar panels in the Oncor Region lets you take ownership of your energy supply and stabilize and/or eliminate your bills over the long-term. Let one of Alba Energy’s 5-star solar professionals show you how to save money with a solar panel installation. Contact Alba Energy to request a free consultation about going solar TODAY!

Latest News Stories About Solar Power In Texas

Texas Solar Energy News November 2018

Click to learn more about IDEA School’s solar roof in Weslaco.

Georgetown, the suburb north of Austin that gets all of its energy from renewable sources, was among nine winning cities announced in November under the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2018 Mayors Challenge aimed at tackling climate change and promoting sustainability.

Georgetown will receive $1 million and a huge shot of publicity; it was the only city in Texas among the nine winners.

Contact Alba Energy of Round Rock to get a quote for going solar if you live in Georgetown.

Irving-based Luminant announced in November that Texas environmental regulators awarded the company a $1 million grant to build the state’s largest electricity storage facility of its kind. To be located adjacent to Luminant’s 180-megawatt Upton 2 solar power plant in West Texas, this 10-megawatt battery would be the seventh largest in the U.S., according to Luminant.

Related Reading: The BIGGEST Solar Farms in Texas

Sunnova Energy Corporation, a Houston-based solar energy company, said in November that it is introducing a solar-plus-storage system that will allow homeowners to store solar energy for use during nighttime. Sunnova’s residential solar-plus-storage system, SunSafe, debuted in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria caused the longest blackout in U.S. history. The service provides a 25-year performance guarantee.

Sunnova is one of Alba Energy’s local finance partners. 

A recent report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) shows just how cost-competitive wind and solar are becoming. The modeling found that wind and solar have reduced wholesale power prices by an average of between $1 and $2.50 per megawatt-hour each year from 2010 through 2017, resulting in prices that were between 2.8% and 8.2% lower than they would have been without these resources.

Save Money With Solar Panels In Texas!

Alba Energy is proud to be one of the premier solar installers in Texas with offices throughout the state. Alba’s services include residential solar for homeowners as well as commercial solar for business owners.

And by the way, Alba’s SMART Solar Financing means you can POWER your home with solar panels, pay LESS on electricity bills, and contribute to a CLEAN energy future. Request a FREE solar consultation today!

Request A Free Solar Quote!

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Alamo Solar Farms Produce MASSIVE Amounts Of Clean Energy For San Antonio

The Alamo Solar Project: San Antonio’s HUGE Solar Power Plant

Map view of San Antonio’s Alamo Solar locations.

Constructed from 2012 to 2016, the Alamo Solar Project will produce approximately 400 MW-ac of clean electricity to serve approximately 90,000 San Antonio, Texas homes in the CPS Energy service territory. Scroll down to learn more about the 7 sites making up the Alamo Solar project.

Alamo 1 – 39.2 MW Solar Power Plant

Aerial view of the Alamo-1 Solar Farm. Image credit: CPS Energy

View of the Alamo-2 Solar Farm. Image credit: CPS Energy

View of the Alamo-3 Solar Farm. Image credit: OCI

View of the Alamo-4 Solar Farm in Brackettville, Texas. Image credit: OCI

View of the Alamo-5 Solar Farm in Uvalde, Texas. Image credit: Mortenson

View of the Alamo-6 Solar Farm in Iraan, Texas. Image credit: OCI

View of the Alamo-7 Solar Farm in Haskell, Texas. Image credit: OCI

As you can see from above, San Antonians derive a relatively large amount of power needs from solar energy (and you probably never knew it)!

What’s better, CPS Energy is offering one of the best solar rebate programs currently available in Texas – Up to $25,000 in rebates for going solar! Find out how much your CPS Energy Solar Rebate is worth by contacting us below! 

Join the solar movement happening in San Antonio, Texas!

Alba Energy is proud to be one of the top solar panel installers in San Antonio, Texas. Our in-house team of NABCEP certified solar experts are trained to design beautiful solar energy systems that can produce as much power from the sun as your home requires, and at a cost that will allow you to save money from day one!

With SMART Solar Financing from Alba Energy you can POWER your home with solar panels, pay LESS on electricity bills, and contribute to a CLEAN energy future. Request a FREE solar consultation today!

Request A Free Solar Quote!

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How many solar panels are needed to power a home?

Solar Panel Wattage Rating

Solar Panel Efficiency

Image credit: Solar Power Rocks

Example of Solar Panels Wattage and Efficiency

Image credit: EnergySage

Other Factors 

There are a few other factors that play a role in determining how much power can be generated by solar panels, like climate, shading, and orientation. You can learn more about the benefits of adding solar panels to your home by reading more Solar Power FAQs below:

Solar Power FAQs: Do Solar Panels Work On Cloudy Days?

Solar Power FAQs: Is Going Solar Worth It In Texas?

Solar Power FAQs: What’s The Best Solar Warranty?

Solar Power FAQs: Are Solar Panels Hail Proof?

Solar Power FAQs: Where Do The Batteries Go?

Find out how many solar panels you need to power your house!

Alba Energy is proud to be one of the premier solar installers in Texas, with offices across the state. Alba Energy has completed hundreds of solar panel installations on both homes and businesses, helping our customers save thousands of dollars on electricity costs. Thanks to our SMART Solar Finance Programs, there’s a good chance you can install solar panels and pay less for the system than you currently pay for electricity. Your monthly energy savings pays for the system!

Request A Free Solar Quote!

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Latest News Stories About Solar Power In Texas

Texas Solar Energy News October 2018

Click to learn more about Alba Energy’s SMART Solar Power Purchase Agreements.

According to an article posted on the Austin Monitor, Austin Energy is in the process of negotiating a deal with a developer to build a 144-megawatt solar farm. AE will not yet disclose the location of the proposed site, only saying that it’s in the Austin metro area. The proposed solar farm was submitted to AE in response to a request for proposal from the utility. The RFP did not specify the location or type of renewable energy. If it is approved by City Council, it should be in operation by 2020.

Travis and Williamson counties have 5,313 registered electric vehicles, and the city is planning to accommodate the growing demand by adding 24 new charging stations around town. Both Austin Energy and the city plan to use the new technology of direct current (DC) fast charging stations, which will complete a charge in approximately 20 minutes.

Houston’s leaders should embrace the fast-moving development of solar-powered electricity, says Sunnova CEO John Berger, who appeared on a recent panel on the future of electricity at the University of Houston. Solar-related technology is changing rapidly, especially as battery storage improves and smart technology does a better job controlling the flow of power on and off the grid. Solar energy is also less expensive than other fuel sources.

Sunnova is one of Alba Energy’s local finance partners. 

CPS Energy held a groundbreaking ceremony in October for a new $16.3 million solar and #battery storage project. A 5-megawatt solar farm on 48 acres off West Commerce Street will feed four containers filled with 10 megawatts of lithium-ion batteries to meet local power demand.

The battery storage project is being touted as the first step down CPS Energy’s Flexible Path Plan, which calls for the city-owned utility company to rely less on power generation from fossil fuels and more on renewables, battery storage and other technologies to fill gaps in demand.

Save Money With Solar Panels In Texas!

Alba Energy is proud to be one of the premier solar installers in Texas with offices throughout the state. Alba’s services include residential solar for homeowners as well as commercial solar for business owners.

And by the way, Alba’s SMART Solar Financing means you can POWER your home with solar panels, pay LESS on electricity bills, and contribute to a CLEAN energy future. Request a FREE solar consultation today!

Request A Free Solar Quote!

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Earn Rebates for Going Solar in Denton, Texas – Up to $30,000 Dollars!

ACT FAST – City of Denton offers up to $30,000 rebate for going solar for a very limited time!

Denton Municipal Electric (DME) is paying local homeowners to install solar panels under their 2018 distributed generation program. Effective October 1, 2018, DME’s Solar Incentive has changed from being a flat rebate to a tiered rebate. Funding was increased to $500,000. Scroll down to learn more about rebates for going solar in Denton.

Request a FREE online analysis of how much money you could save with solar power in Denton!

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Solar Panel Rebates in Denton, Texas – Top 5 Things To Know

• Energy created from solar panels is energy that electric utilities do not have to create from their own power plants. Installing solar panels on your home helps you lower power bills, save money, benefit the environment, and also helps the utility during “peak demand” periods.
• Denton, Texas homeowners in the DME service territory can receive up to $30,000 dollars worth of rebates toward the cost of installing solar panels on a residence. A rebate is available for residential customers in Denton who install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their homes.
• Effective October 2018, a tiered rebate program is now in effect, with separate tiers for systems with and without energy storage (batteries). See below for incentive levels.
• This rebate program is limited to $500,000 in total funding. Rebates WILL run out, so ACT FAST to secure yours before then!
• Homeowners must use an approved solar contractor (like Alba Energy of Dallas).

Going Solar in Denton, Texas – How It Works

Under Denton Municipal ’s program residential customers are billed for their whole house energy consumption at standard residential rates and then credited for any excess solar energy sent back into the grid. In the diagram below (1) is solar panel absorption of sunlight in AC energy form. (2) an inverter changes the AC energy into DC form. (3) solar energy is sent into the home for immediate use when needed. any unused or excess solar energy goes through the power meter (4) where it is credited to your account and put into (5) the local power grid. 

Tiered Rebates for Denton Energy’s Solar Panel Incentive

The rebate is tiered, so the final dollar amount will depend on how large of a system you install:

For Solar ONLY Installs (No Batteries) The Rebate Is As Follows:
3.0 kW to 5.0 kW 80¢ per AC Watt 

5.1 kW to 10.0 kW 60¢ per AC Watt 

Above 10.1 kW 40¢ per AC Watt 

For Solar with Battery Storage:

3.0 kW to 5.0 kW $1.20 per AC Watt

5.1 kW to 10.0 kW 90¢ per AC Watt

Above 10.1 kW 60¢ per AC Watt

All incentives are to be an amount up to $30,000, not to exceed 50% of total project cost.

Solar Rebate Example:

5 kW system size or 5,000 watts

$0.80 x 5,000 watts = $4,000 eligible rebate. *Note there is also a 30% Federal Tax Credit available on all solar panel installations through 12/31/2019.

SMART Solar Financing Available In Denton, Texas

With SMART Solar Financing from Alba Energy, going solar on your home is affordable for everyone, allowing you to save money INSTANTLY! That is, the cost of your new power bill + the monthly solar finance cost could be less than your current power bill! It’s a no-brainer!