Solar energy is the future of sustainable power for homes and businesses, and the city of Dunedin knows that. They also know that there is no shortage of sun in Florida, so it only makes sense to incentivize their residents to move to solar now. If you live in Dunedin and are thinking about making the move to solar power, you’ll want to know about the benefits of solar and how the city is helping people like you to accomplish that goal.
Why Solar?
You may still be in the decision-making process and wondering if solar panels are the right move for you. Here is why solar panels are always the right choice.
Save on Energy Bills
Perhaps the most appealing benefit of solar panels is that they help save money on energy bills. Solar panels start providing energy as soon as they are hooked up, so you will be saving on day one. According to the City of Dunedin’s website, “The typical household spends about $2,150 a year on residential energy bills. Green homes typically use 30% – 60% less energy than a non-green home.” Some people who have taken extra steps like purchasing high-efficiency appliances and changing to more sustainable energy-use habits could see even more energy savings than that.
Better for the Environment
Solar panels harvest natural energy from the sun instead of burning fossil fuels which are bad for the environment. There is no worry that the sun will run out anytime soon, so this energy source is not finite like the ones we use now. Manufacturing solar panels is not a completely green process, but they become greener and more durable each year, making them a cleaner, greener, and longer-lasting option than fossil fuels.
Disaster Resistant
Florida is no stranger to natural disasters, and when those disasters strike, they can damage the power grid, leaving homes and businesses without power for long periods. However, when you have a personal power grid from solar panels, you will be able to power your house after a natural disaster.
About The Grant
If you have decided on solar panels but are interested in financial help, the city of Dunedin has created a grant to help ease the initial costs of solar panel installation. The grant offers twenty-five cents per watt generated, with a maximum of $2,500 awarded to the home or business owner. While they would love to help everyone, the city can only offer the grant to citizens and businesses in Dunedin at this time – unfortunately, unincorporated addresses are not eligible at this time. The grant is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the budget for the program is determined during each year’s fiscal budget.
More Incentives
Monetary help is always a blessing, but the city understands that money isn’t everything, so they offer a few more incentives for switching to solar. The most important extra incentive is the fast-tracking of permits for the project so you can get it done as soon as possible. They also recognize home and business owners at city commission meetings and place informative banners at project sites to raise awareness. Dunedin is proud to be building a more sustainable city, and they want their residents to be proud too, so they include each solar panel project on the city’s green building web page.
Now Is the Time
This is a fantastic program offered by the city of Dunedin, but there is no guarantee that they will always have money in their budget for such rebates. Since their grants are given on a first-come, first-serve basis, there is no better time than right now to apply for a grant. Hopefully, there is still money available for this year, and you can start using eco-friendly, money-saving solar energy immediately. Dunedin is not the only government willing to cover some of the costs of solar panel installment, so check with the state and federal governments to see if any programs offer cost savings or other incentives for installing solar panels on your home or business.
