Indiana has dozens of electric utility companies. REMCs and municipal owned utilities have more autonomy from state regulation as compared with the larger investor owned utilities, Centerpoint (formerly Vectren), Duke Energy, Indiana-Michigan Power, Indianapolis Power & Light and Northern Indiana…
Nationally and locally, homebuyers are paying a premium for solar. “Research from the real estate site Zillow shows that putting solar on your roof can boost the value of your home—sometimes significantly. In a comparative study, Zillow found that homes…
SIREN is familiar with two churches who have used tax equity financing to fund their solar systems. In this form of financing, a nonprofit (and therefore tax-exempt) organization partners with a qualified investor who has passive income to invest. Together…
As with any financial plan, the outcome depends on the underlying assumptions. Here are the ones used in the calculations below. The loan has a 4% interest rate. Your itemized federal income taxes put you in the 15 percent bracket,…
Yes. The payback period - the length of time it takes for your savings from lower utility bills to equal the initial cost of the system - varies widely, based on the size and type of system you buy, the…
The greatest benefit for the owner is creating a clean, renewable form of energy right at home. Eighty percent of Indiana’s electricity is generated from central coal-fired plants, which results in double the carbon emissions of a typical Indiana household…
As a volunteer-run organization, SIREN is supported via tax-deductible contributions made by individuals and businesses in our community. If you are interested in supporting our work, you can donate at a level of support that fits you best. Individual $25/year Family $50/year Sustainer $100/year Business…
Solar owners are more likely to drive hybrid or electric vehicles (EV). The savings for using solar to charge an electrical vehicle is better than for using solar energy in the home. The pre-owned Chevrolet Volt or Nissan Leaf can be purchased…
Indiana offers a property tax exemption for the assessed value of most renewable energy systems, typically based on the actual cost of components and labor. Effectively this means that you can increase the value of your home without paying tax…
Leasing is an option for homeowners in many states but not currently in Indiana. The closest thing to it is the community solar option available from Tipmont REMC, Indiana’s first community, remote solar program. The REMC owns and operates an…