I was having a debate with my friend about ways to make the environment better and to have a better energy reliance than oil. One idea that was floated was to have every street lamp based on solar power (with backup electrical grid power in case it rains or something) anyway, here was the debate which we need your answers to: Is it better to have a solar panel on each street light OR Is it better to keep the street lights as they are and just install solar panel hubs around the city that feeds into the electrical grid?


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Tax form 5695. You are permitted to get a tax credit for 30% of solar items that "uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in your home".

Does this include solar items that do not attach to your home’s electrical grid? Meaning things like: self contained solar outdoor flood lights, solar driveway lights, solar shed lights, etc? They are still used in my home, and still save energy, just not attached to the home’s main power source.

I’ve got some other stuff that i have to fill out the form for anyway, just wondering if i can also get credit for these as well?
Just saying yes or no without any sort of explanation doesn’t really help matters.

If it is allowed, why?

if not…. why?

Sources are helpful.
Also, where is the line? If I wanted to switch out some of my 120v AC lights to solar, and go with 12V, rewire the house so I don’t convert to AC, as its fairly wasteful, would that then count? There has to be a point at which it would qualify.

even if that point is ‘it must attach to the power grid’.
Alright, thanks. I had already seen the Energy star site, my contention was just what qualified as ‘electricity for the residence’.

It’s hugely vague. Example: Solar panels on roof with battery system, and power inverter. It’s got a 120V AC plug, and you can wire it ‘for the residence’… would that count? Again, I’m asking where the line is. does it have to attach to power grid, is that the final line, or just 120V AC in your house
As one final note

the official IRS tax law states

"uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in a dwelling unit "

for use in a dwelling.

So, to me this means, geez, if i have a solar powered flashlight that i keep in my house for when i need it… for me to use…. inside of my dwelling, or "use in a dwelling".

Same goes for accent lights. So, why do you two still think that its a definite no? Is it the whole inside/outside thing? ‘in a dwelling’ in the general case, would that be null and void as soon as you step outside of your house. Is your property/yard not considered part of your dwelling?

"uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in a dwelling unit "
Seems pretty clear. it doesnt say
And bostonian,
huge difference between ‘to’ and ‘for’

Can I please get an answer by someone who actually knows whats going on?


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