Washington State 5101 Program - The State of Washington, in an effort to promote renewable electricity generation, is purchasing solar generation at 15 cents/kWh until July 2014. If the inverter is manufactured in Washington state the $.15 is boosted to $.18/kWh. Solar modules made in WA earn $.36/kWh and if both models and inverter are made in WA you earn $.54/kWh (see explanation below about WA made modules).

Net Metering - Solar electricity generated that is not used at time of generation will be fed back to the utility grid, so that your green power can be used by other people. During these times your utility meter will actually run backwards so that you are credited for this power. Your utility bill at the end of the month will be the difference of what you generated and consumed. For those summer months that you generate more than you consume, these will be forwarded to you the next month. Not only do your offset your electric bill by every solar kWh you generate, but you get the 5101 incentives for every single solar kWh - even the kWh that you use!

Your Solar Generated Revenue  - The great news is that you get to harvest these solar benefits! You can expect to realize 18 to 28 cents/kWh for your solar generated electricity. Plus, for the electricity you generate your utility rates are permanently locked in for the entire life of your solar system. PSE customers have been seeing double digit annual rate hikes over the past couple of years.

No Washington State Sales Tax - There will be no state sales tax on the entire cost of your installed solar energy system. This applies to both solar hot water and solar electric systems.

30% Federal Tax Credit - Systems placed into service for 2007 and 2008, receive a 30% tax credit on the installed cost of your solar electric or solar hot water system. There is a $2000 limit for residential and no limit for commercial.

5-Year Accelerated Depreciation for Home Based Businesses Home based businesses qualify for a full 5-year MACRS accelerated depreciation tax deduction on the entire cost of the system.

Increased Appraised Value of Your Property - Based on a recent study by ICF consulting, (funded by HUD and the EPA and published in The Appraisal Journal (October 1998) energy saving measures such as solar can add up to $20 of home value for every $1 of yearly energy cost saving.