By 2022, the federal investment tax credit (ITC) for installing a home solar system, a real help in paying for residential solar, is coming to an end.

Along with public-sector initiatives like tax credits, some energy utilities offer or participate in programs that help solar customers offset the costs of installation.

There’s no doubt about it: setting up a solar power system, whether it’s going to be running in a residential or a commercial setting, is a serious investment.

Many people choose solar in the first place because—along with helping create a cleaner environment—they’re aiming to cut their monthly expenditures for energy, and with solar you can significantly reduce or even eliminate your electric bill.

Uncle Sam allows you to claim a credit of 26 percent of the expense of a residential or commercial solar power system installed in 2020 on your 2020 federal taxes.

The tax credits that you can take advantage of when you install a solar system are basically a legacy of the “energy crisis” of the 1970s.

There’s no doubt about it: setting up a solar power system, whether it’s going to be running in a residential or a commercial setting, is a serious investment.

Solar is a major financial investment—but there are ways to pare down costs. One major strategy is to check out what the public sector has to offer.

Solar can offer big benefits—to your pocketbook and to the planet. But is it right for you? And if it is, how do you choose the best provider/installer and tailor the system to your home and your energy needs? Here are some tips for making the power of the sun work for you.

No doubt about it—going solar is a big investment. One of the first and most important questions you’ll have is—how big should my installation be? How many kilowatts of sun power, and how many panels?

While many potential solar-energy users have dreams of being “off the grid,” the fact is that the majority of solar setups are actually partnerships between the sun and your electrical utility.