22 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT
FEBRUARY 2019
Solar Q&A
I heard Southern California Edison is changing its solar program. If I’m interested in solar, should I be concerned? SCE is closing the best rate plan for solar to new customers very soon. However, if you can explore solar and decide to move forward before the end of January, a good local company like Renova can make sure your request for the best rate program is submitted in time for the next meter reading that happens before March 1. That’s when SCE will discontinue the best rate plan for new customers. When you go solar, you go onto a Time-Of-Use rate. Getting the best TOU plan can help maximize your savings. What if I can’t decide that quickly? Solar will still save you money, but the savings won’t be quite as good. Any other reason to move quickly? The full 30 percent federal tax credit
comes to an end on Dec. 31, 2019; next year, it will be 26 percent. It’s not a big drop, but you might as well take advantage of maximum savings. If you purchase, it’s a tax credit right to you, and if you lease, the owner of the equipment will take the tax credit, but it will be reflected in lower payments to you. Sounds like I need to get moving! Yes—start with a good local company like Renova, with great reviews; it’s the only local SunPower Elite Dealer in the desert. Then if you want to get competitive bids, you’ll be able to. The company you work with can help you compile your last year’s electric bills so your past energy usage is known. A site survey of your home will also need to be done for a completely customized proposal with no surprises. Your goal should be to offset 100 percent of your electric usage so you are completely guarded from future rate increases.
Paid advertisement brought to you by CVIndependent.com