These are the golden years of the solar energy industry. The technology that was once far to expensive for most homeowners to afford now is not thanks to a host of government programs so long as you go about installing solar panels on your home in a particular manner.

The challenge with solar power for residences has always been the upfront expense. You will spend between $10,000 and $25,000 to get and install the panels. That’s a bundle for just about anyone. Until government incentives emerged, it was frankly way too much and the industry suffered.

The great thing is the government made it a primary plan to develop renewable energy. Solar energy was included in this renewable energy definition, obviously. The result has been government entities will give away huge tax credits, loan guarantees and other financial assistance to delay the up front cost. It has made solar energy accessible to large numbers who other wise wouldn’t be in the position to afford it.

Do these incentives come with any catches? Of course. The idea is to promote the power platforms, so most require the homeowner to meet selected rules. These range from the kind of systems purchased to their use.

The first prerequisite is you must exclusively use the incentives with brand spanking new systems. The point, again, is to support the industry. Similar to hybrid cars, used systems don’t qualify for the incentive programs, so don’t waste your money on them.

Your second qualification involves the usage of the system. Specifically, the system must be used to generate heat or electrical energy for your principal residence. Panel systems employed to warm the swimming pool, by way of example, will not meet the criteria.

Finally, one also has to use certified installers to get the incentives. The government is trying to promote job growth through the renewable energy industry. If you try to install the panels yourself, you will miss out on the potential huge incentives that can save you so much.

Is all of this worth the effort? Absolutely. The incentives that are now offered by the federal government, state governments, municipalities and even local utility companies can save you most or all of the cost of buying a panel system. That more than makes the extra effort worth it.