Unique Challenges
The primary challenge on this project was working on the very inaccessible and very exposed roof surface. At a height of 40' at the eve, a boom lift was a necessity for hoisting the solar panels to the roof, and fall protection was a must for our installers!Financial Elements
This project was awarded a 25% grant from the USDA REAP program- a must for all for-profit entities pursuing solar in communities with populations fewer than 50,000 people. The program funding comes through the federal 'Farm Bill' that is voted on each year in congress.
The owner was also able to utilize a 30% federal tax credit for the system, and will be able to utilize the depreciation savings for 85% of the project cost over the MACRS 6-year schedule.
Lastly, though the solar cells are expected to degrade about 1/2% annually, that is outweighed by the 2% national average for annual utility rate escalation. In short, the financial value of the energy produced by the system will be worth close to 40% more 25 years from now!
