Solar
energy systems provide you with long-term benefits by reducing
your traditional fuel and electricity bills for years to come.
For example, in Vermont you can expect a 2,000 Watt solar electric
system to reduce your electric bills by more than $6,000 over
the next twenty-years. However, both solar hot water and solar
electric systems tend to require significant initial investments,
often more than many people can afford to pay at one time.
This
is why renewable energy systems, with high first costs, and long-term
benefits, are often good candidates for long-term financing. By
spreading payments for a renewable energy system out over time,
you can use the system savings to help you pay for the installation
and reduce the initial impact on your budget.
Under
favorable conditions, your loan monthly payments will be lower
than the combined energy and tax savings, providing you with a
positive cash flow and extra cash in hand each and every month.
More commonly, you can expect to pay a premium for your renewable
energy system during the term of your loan, and then to realize
significantly reduced costs thereafter.