Solar Incentive Explainer

Turns the incentive details your company has on file, such as tax credits, utility rebates, and net metering terms, into a clear message a homeowner can follow.

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Before and after

BEFORE · what the owner typed

need to explain incentives to Sandra Evans, 6195 Thornfield Ave, Hazelcrest. Quote is for a 7.2 kW system from us, Winterfield Solar, total $21,600. She's got the federal tax credit, we told her it's 30 percent of the system cost, she claims it on her taxes next spring. Also the Hazelcrest Public Power rebate, $1,200, they pay it to her by check about 8 weeks after the system is turned on. Their rebate application has to be in before the system goes live, we file it for her. Also net metering, the utility credits her for extra power she sends to the grid, we don't know the credit rate yet. Samuel Duncan is her contact here, 234-555-0148. Her car is a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, white, she asked about charging it someday but we haven't quoted that.

AFTER · what the skill produced

Hi Sandra,

Thank you for your interest in solar for your home at 6195 Thornfield Ave. Here is a plain English look at the incentives we have on file for your quote.

Your system: 7.2 kW system, total price $21,600.

Incentives we have on file for you

Federal tax credit: This is 30 percent of your system cost, and you claim it on your taxes next spring. 30 percent of $21,600 is $6,480.
Hazelcrest Public Power rebate: $1,200, paid to you by check about 8 weeks after your system is turned on. The rebate application has to be in before your system goes live. We file it for you.
Net metering: The utility credits you for extra power your system sends to the grid. We do not have the credit rate yet, so it is not included in the numbers below.

Estimated net cost

System price: $21,600
Federal tax credit: minus $6,480
Hazelcrest Public Power rebate: minus $1,200
Estimated net cost: $13,920

This is an estimate. The rebate and the tax credit are received at the times described above. Whether you can use the tax credit depends on your own tax situation, so we recommend confirming it with a tax professional. Program rules and amounts can change, so we also recommend confirming the details with each program.

If you have any questions, please contact Samuel Duncan at 234-555-0148.

Winterfield Solar

Questions for the owner

What is the net metering credit rate from the utility, so we can explain what Sandra may earn from extra power?
Does the Hazelcrest Public Power rebate have a deadline or any eligibility conditions we should list?
Sandra asked about charging her 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan someday. We left it out because nothing has been quoted. Do you want to add a note about a future quote?
Do you want to include any financing or payment terms for the system price? None were provided, so we left them out.
Have you confirmed the 30 percent tax credit rate and the rebate amount locally before sending?

What it does

Turns the incentive details your company has on file, such as tax credits, utility rebates, and net metering terms, into a clear message a homeowner can follow. It shows the system price, each incentive the owner provided, and the resulting net cost, without guessing at anything the owner did not give.

Use it when: Use when a solar company needs to explain available incentives, rebates, tax credits, or financing programs to a homeowner in plain English, such as: explain the incentives to this customer, what do we tell them about the tax credit, or write up the rebates for this quote.