Question 1

How much does a solar panel cost to buy?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels differ in price depending on who manufactured them, and the amount of power that they generate.  That said, high efficiency solar panels (e.g., 420W panels with more than 20% efficiency at converting sunlight into electricity) cost around $1,300 per panel to purchase and install.

Question 2

Is it cheaper to donate a solar panel or buy one for a home project?

Accepted Answer

Donating a solar panel can be 30% - 75% less expensive then buying a solar panel for your own project.

The reason is that many non-profits receive grants from federal, state, county, or municipal governments that can be applied to their solar project.  They may also have internal funds that are partially covering the project cost.  The net result is that dollar-for-dollar donating a solar panel may have more of an environmental impact then installing your own panel.

Question 3

Does it matter what organization receives my solar panel?

Accepted Answer

If your main goal is to reduce carbon in the atmosphere, which organization receives your solar panel matters less then how much carbon your panel offsets.  You can see a list of expected offsets by visiting Solar Projects Accepting Donations.(https://www.loweryourcarbon.org/non-profitsacceptingdonations)

Question 4

Can I choose the organization I donate to?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  Our homepage typically highlights the non-profit with the most return for your investment (i.e., the most CO2 avoided dollar-per-dollar). If your primary goal is to reduce CO2, we suggest that you choose the project on the homepage.

If you would prefer to select a non-profit whose primary mission aligns with your other giving objectives, you can look at our list of Solar Projects Accepting Donations.(https://www.loweryourcarbon.org/non-profitsacceptingdonations)

Question 5

Can I deduct the cost to donate a solar panel?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  The organization featured on the homepage, and the organizations listed in Solar Projects Accepting Donations,(https://www.loweryourcarbon.org/non-profitsacceptingdonations) are non-profits registered with the IRS at 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations.  As a result, your donation is deductible on your United States income taxes.

Question 6

Are there other tax benefits to donating?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the organization to whom you make a donation, the state in which you pay taxes, and your tax situation, there may be additional tax benefits when you donate a panel.  For example,  in the State of Colorado you may be able to claim a state tax credit for 50% of your donation if the recipient of your panel is an eligible childcare facility under the Colorado Child Care Contribution Credit (5C).

Question 7

Does 100% of my donation go to purchasing a solar panel?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  Each of the non-profits listed on this website have agreed to apply 100% of your donation toward the purchase of a solar panel.

Question 8

Does any part of my donation go to maintain this website?

Accepted Answer

No.  Your donation is made directly to the non-profit that intends to purchase and install a solar project.

Featured Project
Boulder Prep Charter High School

Donate a solar panel to lower carbon that contributes to global warming.

When You Donate a Solar Panel to the
Featured Non-Profit

Learn More About Making an
Environmental Impact

Featured Project Boulder Prep Charter High School

Donate a solar panel to lower carbon that contributes to global warming.

When You Donate a Solar Panel to the Featured Non-Profit

Learn More About Making an Environmental Impact

Featured Project
Boulder Prep Charter High School

When You Donate a Solar Panel to the
Featured Non-Profit

Learn More About Making an
Environmental Impact