Solar panels in Wainwright, Alaska

AVERAGE PAYBACK
PERIOD

8 YEARS

20 - YEAR
SAVINGS

$20,150

SOLAR PANEL COST
PER WATT

$1

THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR IN WAINWRIGHT

Solar energy is an excellent choice for homeowners in Wainwright, Alaska. As one of the northernmost cities in the United States, Wainwright experiences extreme weather conditions and limited sunlight during the winter months. However, despite these challenges, solar energy can still be a viable option for homeowners in this city. One of the main benefits of solar energy in Wainwright is the potential for significant cost savings. With an average of 200 sunny days per year, homeowners can generate a significant amount of electricity from their solar panels, reducing their reliance on traditional, and often expensive, energy sources. Additionally, through net metering programs, homeowners can sell excess energy back to the grid, further lowering their energy bills. This can be especially beneficial during the long, dark winter months when traditional energy costs tend to be higher.

Another advantage of solar energy for homeowners in Wainwright is its environmental impact. As a remote city with limited access to traditional energy sources, Wainwright relies heavily on diesel generators for electricity. These generators not only contribute to air and noise pollution, but they also emit large amounts of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change. By switching to solar energy, homeowners in Wainwright can reduce their carbon footprint and help combat climate change. Moreover, the use of solar energy does not require any water, unlike traditional energy sources, which can be particularly important in a city like Wainwright, where access to water is limited. By harnessing the power of the sun, homeowners in Wainwright can reduce their impact on the environment and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for their community.

LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT SOLAR PANELS IN WAINWRIGHT

2.5 HOURS PEAK SUN

A peak sun hour is an hour in the day when the intensity of the sunlight reaches an average of 1000 watts/meter².

0.10 ELECTRICITY RATE

The average residential electricity rate in Wainwright is 0.10 Cents per Kilowatt Hour.

20 INCENTIVES AND TAX CREDITS

There are 20 solar policies and incentives in the state of Alaska. These incentives and tax credits help reduce the cost of solar panels in order to promote this source of renewable energy. View all Incentives and Tax Credits in Alaska on dsireusa.org.

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER GOING SOLAR IN WAINWRIGHT

YOU CAN SAVE ON YOUR UTILITIES BILL

At the most basic level, solar panels are devices that take in the sun’s rays and convert them into electricity or heat. Once the sun hits the panels, the energy is made into electricity. A solar inverter helps turn the electricity into power that can be used. The more panels you have on a roof, the more solar electricity you can produce! Solar panels generate their own power and as a result can offset your monthly electricity bill, if not eliminate it in Wainwright.

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT IN Wainwright

Solar energy is a renewable, carbon-free resource so it can help Wainwright to combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. While there are what some call hidden carbon footprints regarding the manufacturing of solar panels, once installed, it is carbon free. In order for the panels to be carbon neutral meaning save more than was used during manufacturing, the solar panels will need to be in operation for 3 years. After these 3 years, the system will remain carbon neutral for the rest of its lifespan. The carbon footprint of solar panel’s is around 20% less than the carbon output of electricity sources powered by coal. Furthermore, for a system size of 6kw, there is a reduction of around 6.3 metric tons of carbon emission per year.

TIME SENSITIVE INCENTIVES

The Solar Investment Tax Credit, also known as the Federal Solar Tax Credit, aims to help grow solar energy in the United States. In order to help reduce the initial cost of solar, all U.S. solar customers are eligible for a tax credit for 26% off their solar system if it is installed and turned on, generating power, by the end of 2022. This tax credit can be claimed by any U.S. homeowner as long as the system is on your primary or secondary residential location. This incentive is time sensitive as in 2024 it will not be available to homeowners. Additionally, the percentage decreases in 2023 to 22%. Learn more about the Federal Solar Tax Credit at Energy.gov.

IMPROVE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOUSE IN Wainwright

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory says that installing solar panels is viewed as an upgrade and homebuyers across the country are willing to pay a premium for the economic and environmental benefits of a solar home. Additionally, homes with solar panels often sell faster than those without. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory states that every dollar that is saved on energy through solar increases home value by $20 in Wainwright . More research shows that solar panels can add an average of $18,324 to the value of a medium-sized home.

FIGHT AGAINST RISING ELECTRICITY COSTS IN Wainwright

It is no surprise that electricity costs have been increasing. The cost of electricity has risen dramatically in the last ten years and that trend is expected to continue in Wainwright, Alaska. Read more about the rising electricity costs on Energy Information Administration page. According to the Energy Information Administration, the average nominal retail electricity price paid by U.S. residential electric customers rose at the fastest rate since 2008, increasing 4.3% from 2020 to 13.72 cents per kilowatthour in 2021. Solar panels are like an insurance policy against increasing electricity rates. With home solar, you get the power to control your energy’s future.

Disclaimer

All facts, figures, and information contained on this pages are generalizations for information purposes only. The specific figures for your address may vary. The Solar landscape is constantly evolving but here a few additional resources for you to stay up to date https://www.eia.gov/, https://www.seia.org/resources and https://www.energy.gov/solar.

SOLAR PANELS IN WAINWRIGHT, AK

AVERAGE PAYBACK PERIOD