Returns that can be gained over time
Are you aware that Installing home solar panels, or photovoltaic cells on your home , is a terrific way to reduce harmful pollution and reduce your electric bills, but only if you have the money to spend upfront.
An average family of four, residing in a single family home, can budget for an investment of about $30,000. Of course that’s if you hire the whole job out to a solar company.
Like any investment, there are returns that can be gained over time. In this case they include tax rebates in addition to future savings on utility bills.
But before you find an installer and start making plans for the money you’ll save by going solar, you may want to consider how long it will take for this investment to pay off against your initial costs using a traditional solar firm.
Once you do, you may just want to build them yourself, if your just a little bit 
handy around the house, there are home solar energy kits available with easy to follow instructions that guides you through the entire process including showing you where to find the materials to build the whole system for under $200.00!
Start by checking the tax incentives
To encourage home owners to use home solar energy and other renewable sources of power, the IRS offers an energy tax credit in 2009 for 30% of the cost of qualified alternative energy equipment. Also each state has their own form of state income tax credits for the same purpose, a sales tax exemption on your purchase and a property tax exemption.
IN New York state, as an example and assuming a $32,000 initial cost, a 30% federal rebate, a maximum state rebate of $5,000 and a $12,000 rebate through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the overall cost is just $5,400, notes Scott Rakowski, New York State regional manager at Alteris Renewable.
So If your not handy around the house and you find that to build your own solar panels intimidates you, then the $ 5,400. net price tag seems mighty good!
Check out what the incentives are in your state for installing solar cells in your home, go to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency at DSIREUSA.org.
Tune in next week and we will crunch some numbers!