Virginia homeowner’s solar investment pays back, lowers monthly bill
- IRA,
- Stories
Solar homeowner Doug McNeill spent his career taking care of others as a physician in the Navy and private practice. Now retired in Chesapeake, Virginia, he’s relying on solar to take care of his energy needs and lower his monthly bill.
Doug was interested in powering his home with renewable energy, but it was the financial benefits that convinced him to go solar. “I realized that the solar would result in a net positive savings,” said Doug. By generating his own electricity, he could reduce his monthly bill and protect himself from rising energy costs, making it a prudent long-term investment. “If the electricity rates go up, as I expect they will, the benefit also goes up in stepwise fashion. So I get paid back sooner.”
With these factors in mind, Doug installed a 7.2-kilowatt (kW) array on his garage in 2015. He saved on the upfront price of his system using the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows solar owners to deduct up to 30% of a system’s cost from their federal income taxes. The credit saved Doug $7,860. “That’s a considerable savings, and we recouped that straight [away], so that made the decision easier.”
In ten years of energy production, Doug has avoided purchasing more than 9 megawatt-hours of electricity from his utility company, a source of great satisfaction. This translates to about $1000 in annual electricity savings. He says his neighbors have been inspired to go solar as a result of his experience.
Doug hopes his community will continue embracing solar. “I’d love to see distributed networks … so that communities and groups of houses are less dependent upon outside sources of energy,” he shared. “I think it makes profound economic sense … we buy health insurance, why shouldn’t we buy energy insurance? Prices of things are not always under our control, but the sun is going to shine, so we should take advantage of that.”
Distributed renewable energy can benefit everyone by reducing the need for additional expensive electric grid infrastructure, lowering utility costs for all. “Whether it be the Grand Coulee Dam or a 7.2 kW solar array on my house, the investments [in infrastructure] we make individually and in aggregate can improve the position of our country to be able, like I am, to choose to do other things with the resources we’ve freed up.”
For more Virginians like Doug to enjoy the self-sufficiency and savings solar provides, continued access to programs like the ITC will be essential. Making solar more affordable empowers homeowners to take charge of their energy needs and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
Act Now: Urge Congress to protect solar energy tax credits for all Americans
Solar energy is garnering support from both sides of the aisle. You can help keep up the momentum by making it loud and clear to your Senators and Representatives that Americans support federal solar investments.
Some members in Congress want to repeal successful policies that have made going solar more affordable for American families and businesses. Please use the form on this page to tell your federal representatives that you support smart investments, like the 30% solar tax credit.
Personalize your message!
If you have solar, explain how it is lowering and controlling your household’s energy costs. If you don’t yet have solar, tell them how these investments will make solar accessible for people like you.
Get the latest on solar straight to your inbox.
Fight for your solar rights.
Everyone has the right to go solar. Spread the sunshine nationwide and in your local community by taking action, joining events, and more.