Solar energy can help you save on your home’s energy costs and vastly reduce your home’s contribution to the air pollution that causes climate change. To learn more about getting solar for your home and trusted programs that can support you in doing so, please see the resources below.

Getting solar for your home can feel confusing. But through the I Heart My Home Program, you can receive expert advice on system sizing and financing, receive recommendations for solar providers that you can trust, and learn about discounts on solar that you and your home might be eligible for—all completely for free! Click this link to sign up for expert solar and energy efficiency advice that can help you save money and time on all your home energy needs.

PosiGen Solar for All Campaign

The City of New Haven is proud to partner with PosiGen to launch the New Haven Solar for All campaign, an effort to increase access to the cost savings and environmental benefits of solar panels and energy efficiency improvements for all homeowners, regardless of income. There is zero upfront cost, no credit score required, and guaranteed savings of at least $600 in the first year. PosiGen has already helped over 5,000 families in Connecticut – and over 200 New Haven families go solar. These families save an average of $985 each year on their energy bills.

PosiGen customers first receive an energy audit to immediately deliver energy savings through weatherization, air sealing, and additional measures, such as insulation, as appropriate. PosiGen then installs a solar system sized to produce enough energy to cover the customer’s energy needs. Once the solar is installed, customers make a predictable monthly lease payment to PosiGen, which covers all the costs of installing, maintaining, and insuring the system over a 25 year lease. The customer keeps all of the remaining savings on their energy bills, which in Connecticut has nearly $1,000 per year.

Visit PosiGen’s New Haven Solar for All website to learn more about how you can reduce your energy bills and lessen the air pollution that causes climate change.

Federal Tax Credit for Residential Solar Photovoltaics

The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)—is a tax credit that can be claimed on federal income taxes for a percentage of the cost of a solar PV system paid for by the taxpayer. Also known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit, the credit equals 30% of the costs of new, qualified clean energy property for your home installed anytime from 2022 through 2032. This can also include wind, geothermal, fuel cells or battery storage technology. The installation of the system must be complete during the tax year, and there is no maximum amount that can be claimed. If your solar panels were installed between 2017 and 2022, you are still eligible for a tax credit of 26% or more.

This guide for homeowners from the U.S. Department of Energy dives deeper into the federal investment tax credit for residential solar photovoltaics (PV). Also, see the Federal Solar Tax Credits for Businesses.

Connecticut Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) Program

Administered by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the utilities that operate in the state—in New Haven, that’s United Illuminating—the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions program allows solar owners to be compensated for the power their systems provide to the local electric grid. Through RRES, solar owners can sell their energy and renewable energy certificates (RECs) at a fixed 20-year price by selecting one of two incentive rate structures: Buy-All and Netting. Under the Buy-All incentive rate structure, UI will purchase all the energy and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated by the qualified project. Through netting incentive rate structure, UI will purchase all RECs generated by the qualified project, and in addition will provide monetary credits on your electric bill for any energy exported to the electric grid and not consumed on site.

United Illuminating also offers an additional incentive for residents of a State-designated distressed municipality and for residents with an income at or below 60% of the state median income. Since New Haven qualifies as a distressed municipality, all New Haveners are also eligible for an additional $0.0125/kWh under the Netting Additional Incentive or $0.0175/kWh for the Buy-All Additional Incentive, depending on what rate structure you choose. If you have an income at or below 60% of the state median income, you are eligible for a larger additional incentive: $0.025/kWh for those with a Netting structure and $0.030/kWh for those with the Buy-All structure. Note that you can only receive one additional incentive.

See United Illuminating’s webpage on Renewable Energy Solutions for more on the RRES program.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Financing: Leases, Loans and PPAs

This free guide from the Clean Energy States Alliance aims to help homeowners navigate the complex landscape of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) system financing. The guide describes three popular residential solar financing choices – leases, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs) – and explains the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as how they compare to a direct cash purchase. It clarifies key solar financing terms and provides a list of questions homeowners should ask before deciding if and how to proceed with installing a solar system.

The Connecticut Green Bank & CT DEEP

The Connecticut Green Bank offers incentives and innovative low-cost financing to encourage homeowners, companies, municipalities, and other institutions to support both renewable energy and energy efficiency. Follow the progress on the State of Connecticut’s renewable energy related responsibilities to implement a wide range of renewable energy initiative and programs on the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP)’s Renewable Energy web page. Also see the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection’s Solar Panel Buyer’s Guide to ensure you have a positive experience throughout the process of getting solar power for your home.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

DSIRE tracks statewide incentive programs and policies related to clean energy and energy efficiency across the country. It includes over many Connecticut financial incentives that homeowners and businesses can benefit from. DSIRE is managed by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center.