Photovoltaics
Clean, green electricity from the sun.
About Solar Photovoltaics
Solar Photovoltaics (PV, Solar Electric) is the most cost effective form of solar in Washington State.
Our Goal is to educate you, giving you the tools you need to decide if solar is right for you. If you have any other questions about solar hot water, or suggestions about additions or improvements to this page, please let us know.
How it Works
(1) The Solar Electric Panels absorb the sunlight and transfer it to DC electricity.
(2) The Inverter transforms the DC electricity to AC electricity to perfectly match the frequency of the grid.
(3) All the electricity produced goes through a production meter, and once a year the utility sends you a check for this electricity.
(4) The electricity goes into your home to be used.
(5) If you are producing more power than you need, the electricity goes through the net meter, and out onto the grid for your neighbors to use.
For safety reasons, grid tied systems must shut down if the power is out. To keep your lights on without the hassle of a generator, you will need a battery back up system.
Incentives
30% Federal Tax Credit It is a credit, not a deduction. If you buy a $10,000 solar system, you can write off $3,000 from your taxes owed. Don’t pay enough taxes to get the full amount back? You can take up to 5 years to claim the full amount. Application is simple, just fill out IRS form 5695 and submit it with your tax returns (this applies for the 2011 tax year as well.). The current expiration date is 2016.
Production Incentive This is the payment the utility makes to you for all the power you produce (see step 3 above), whether you use it or it goes back out to the grid. They pay you up to 54 cents per kWh, up to $5,000 per year. This payment comes to you once a year in the form of a check from the utility. The current expiration date is 2020.
Net Metering This is the credit the utility gives you for the electricity you send back to your neighbors (see step 5). When a solar electric system is installed, we change out your current meter for a bi-directional meter, so it keeps track of what is coming and going. On your utility bill, there will be a credit for the power you send back.
Reduced Sales Tax Systems under 10kw are sales tax exempt. No sales tax is ever paid. On systems larger than 10kw sales tax is paid up front, and you can then apply for a 75% sales tax credit. It is very rare that a residential system is larger than 10kw, so most of you are not impacted by this. The current expiration date is 2013.
Accelerated Depreciation If you install solar on a property owned through a business…50% of the system cost can be depreciated in the first year, and the remainder over the following 4 years. That is 5 years to 100% depreciation.
Cost
Grid Tied Solar Electric
Starting at $8000
Federal Tax Credit -$2400
Cost after 1st year $5600
Includes: 3-6 Panels, all labor and materials, and all utility agreements.
Made in Washington
Starting at $19000
Federal Tax Credit -$5700
Cost after 1st year $13300
Includes: 8 Panels, all labor and materials, and all utility agreements.
Site Survey $95
To find out exact cost for your family or business, schedule a Solar Site Survey.
Fee is refunded with purchase of a solar system.
Other Resources
Our Products
We take great pride in offering quality made in the US solar systems, that are proven to work in the Northwest.
Panels
Inverters
Customer Testimonial
August, 2nd, 2011 — Jerome P. Olympia, WashingtonWe employed South Sound Solar to design and install a solar hot water system and to design and install the electrical set-up for a future PV system. In every aspect of design and installation we sound (South Sound Solar) to be informed, capable, and accountable. Work was done on schedule and on budget. We were more than satisfied with our experience.