solar powered backyard cottage

We have been working with Puget Sound Solar on the Microhouse Eco Cottage. For the 800 sq. ft. cottage we estimate that with a 3 Watt system and a solar hot water heater we can approach net-zero energy usage. Con

Puget Sound Solar Facts

Net metering makes solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) practical in the Northwest. Net metering banks the energy your system makes during the long sunny summer days for the use in the evenings and on short, dark winter days. Your electric meter spins backwards when your home is not using the energy generated by the PV system.  The extra electricity goes to the grid, and you earn credit for power produced that your home does not use.

PV systems collect electricity from panels and send it to an inverter and into your homes electrical panel.  They require little or no maintenance.

For each 1,000 Watts or 1 kilowatt (kW) you can produce up to 1,180 kW hours of household electricity per year. 1kW of PV takes 65 to 90 sq. ft. of roof space. 

On our 800 square foot hyper-efficient Eco cottage we estimate that a 3 Watt system with a solar hot water heater should be able to approach net zero model. The estimated cost for the 3 Watt system is $18,000. This cost can be partially offset by a number of incentives.

Incentives

Financial incentives can help offset the upfront costs of installing a solar system.

Federal

Solar (PV) and hot water systems are eligible for 30% federal tax credit that can be taken over 2 years.

State

WA State sales tax (varies by county) is waived.

Net Metering

Utilities are required to allow homeowners to hook solar, wind systems up to the grid. When your home uses less than your system produces your electric meter spins backwards, earning credits. You can draw from your energy credit when PV system is not producing.

Production Incentive Payments

WA State utilities are authorized to pay $.15/kWh for every kilowatt-hour produce by net-metered solar, wind and biogas systems. If you by an inverter manufactured in Washington State that rate is boosted to $.18/kWh.

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