1. Save money. An appropriate, well-built renewable energy system can help you reduce your energy bills. This is particularly true long-term as the price of energy from coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels rises to account for the cost of related greenhouse gases.

2. Enjoy great incentives. Today, generous federal, state, and utility incentives make renewable energy systems available for as little as half the actual installed costs. In some areas, utilities may even pay a premium for the energy generated—potentially turning a cost into an opportunity to put aside a little extra money each month.

3. Go green. Green is not a style or a fad—it is a smarter, more sustainable way to meet your needs as a homeowner and as a member of the community. And renewable energy is one of the best green solutions to your energy needs.

4. Invest in your property. A renewable energy system can increase the resale value of your home, especially as new generations of environmentally-focused homebuyers enter the market. And thanks to a Wisconsin property tax exception, you can enjoy the benefits of renewable energy today as well as the extra resale value tomorrow without increasing your current property taxes.

1. Energy load. Your energy load is the amount of energy you consume at home. Energy load is an important consideration affecting the size of your renewable energy system, especially if you want renewable energy to meet 100 percent of your energy needs.

2. Geographic location. The geographic location and orientation of your home are important because they determine the quantity and quality of the available renewable energy source (i.e., sun or wind). Your location also determines the ease with which you can connect a renewable energy system to the grid, the demand for renewable energy in your area, and the incentives offered by your utility.

3. Costs and available funding. Grants and other incentives may reduce the cost of a renewable energy system by as much as 50 percent. But a system still requires an upfront investment, in part because the savings from some incentives do not materialize until after the system is installed or has been depreciated over time.

With so many incentives currently available, now is a great time to invest in a renewable energy solution for your home.

Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy program, provides a Cash Back Reward or Implementation Grant (depending on the size of the system) for solar electric, solar hot water, and wind electric systems.

• The amount of the incentive is determined by the expected production of the system. Typically, Focus on Energy incentives amount to a one-time payment of 20-25 percent of overall system cost.
• The incentive is paid out after the system is commissioned.
• Eligibility and amount may vary slightly by the technology used in the system.

For more details, please visit Focus on Energy.

Renewable Energy Tax Credits

A federal tax credit, effective January 1, 2009, allows homeowners to earn a credit of up to 30 percent of the installed cost of a solar electric, solar hot water, or wind electric system.

For more information, please consult a qualified tax adviser to determine your eligibility and incentive level.

Utility Incentives or Premium Buy-Back Rates

Some Wisconsin electric utilities have begun paying a premium rate for energy generated by solar electric systems. Each utility's program varies slightly in capacity limits, the value of the electricity produced, and interconnection requirements.

For more information about this incentive, please contact us. We can help determine if your utility provides this incentive and, if so, its potential value to you.

Net Metering

"Net metering" is when a utility provides full retail credit for any extra energy that is added to the utility grid by a customer-owned solar electric system. In Wisconsin, municipal and investor-owned utilities are required to allow customers to net meter solar electric systems with a rated output of 20 kW or less.

This incentive is available only to homeowners who do not participate in the premium buy-back rate program described above (either because you are not eligible or because you choose not to participate).

Property Tax Exemption

Solar electric, solar thermal, and wind electric systems are exempt from Wisconsin property tax assessments, which means you can invest in a renewable energy solution without increasing the assessed value and tax liability of your property.

1. Research your options. A little research goes a long way; the Solutions page in our website is a great place to start. You can also learn about your options by contacting North Wind using our online contact form or by calling (715) 630-6451.

2. Review benefits and key considerations. As with any investment, it is a good idea to understand the benefits and key considerations related to renewable energy. Such due diligence will help you throughout the decision process.

3. Contact North Wind. Use our online contact form to describe your needs/interests and to submit any questions you might have. We will contact you to discuss the solution that is right for you. You can also call us at (715) 630-6451.