Will $2.36 Billion for Renewable Energy Change Things For the Better?

Congressman Ed Pastor oversee's the Development Appropriations Act Subcommittee Markup report for the Fiscal Year 2011 Energy and Water Department. 

His bill states that for the fiscal Year 2011 appropriations for the amount of $2.36 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy has been requested. Renewable energy technologies include: solar, wind, geothermal, and water resources to produce clean, domestic, and renewable energy and reduce our dependence on other sources of energy that often exhibit fluctuating prices and that harm our environment. The Committee also continues to support the advancement of innovative technologies such as the development of cars, homes, buildings, and industries that consume less energy by using it more efficiently.

How will this positively effect solar companies in Arizona? Experts and Owners of solar companies in Arizona say the solar industry has suffered do to the increased aide, because utility companies have suddenly changed or discontinue their incentive programs as the Federal government increases funds to support the growth of the industry. The utilities shifting solar energy incentive programs is leaving contractors and solar panel sales reps speechless and standing on shaky ground as they try to explain to their clients why they will not receive the rebates they were promised.

Go Solar in Arizona!

Arizona Personal Tax Credit

Arizona residences are eligible for a Personal Tax Credit in the amount of 25% of the cost they’re solar or wind energy device up to but not exceeding $1000 dollars. Highlights of the Credit: The credit is applicable for photovoltaic systems and the following technologies: solar domestic water heating systems, solar swimming pool and spa heating systems, photovoltaic phones and street lights, passive solar building systems (trombe walls, thermal mass, etc.), solar daylighting systems (excluding conventional skylights), wind turbines, and wind-powered pumps. The credit applies regardless of the amount of devices installed. The credit can be allowed against a taxpayer’s income tax. It must be claimed within the year of the installation. If the taxpayer’s income tax liability is less than the credit the unused portion of the credit may be carried forward for up to five years. Click the link for more information on government solar energy rebates.

Feed-in Tarrifs will Catalyze the U.S. Solar Industry

Solar Rebates are a step in the right direction for promoting renewable energy in the U.S.A., however an extensive report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides great insight on how to dramatically catalyze the U.S. Solar Energy industry with Feed-in Tariff policies.

What is a Feed-in Tariff?
It's a a policy designed to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources. Under a feed-in tariff, an obligation is imposed on regional or national utility companies to buy renewable electricity from qualified sources. This means, that if you have solar panels on your house or business, the utility company can buy it from you at a rate that you can profit from.

Feed-in tariffs are the most widely used renewable energy policy in the world. Germany was the first country to implement a successful Feed-in Tarrif policy with their Renewable Energy Source Act., and to date they are world leaders in renewable energy development.


*Authors Toby Couture, Karlynn Cory, Claire Kreycik, and Emily Williams of the (NREL) produced an extensive report called A Policymaker's Guide to Feed-in Tariff Policy Design. The report provides an in-depth evaluation of world-wide best practices of Feed-in Tariffs policy designs, but it focuses the information on explaining how the US can create successful feed-in Tariff policies. Essentially, a successful feed-in tariff program encourages fast widespread sustainable renewable energy development.

According to NREL:

• Feed-in tariffs are responsible for 75% of all solar PV and 45% of all wind development worldwide.
• Feed-in tariffs have resulted in the deployment of 15,000 MW of solar PV, and 55,000 MW of wind power from 2000 to 2009 in the European Union.
• In comparison, there were some 25,000 MW of wind in the US at the end of 2009 and only 1,250 MW of solar PV.

The NREL has made it easy, American Policy makers just need to read the report and create their own unique policies for their districts. The report explains the strengths and weaknesses of current Feed-in Tarrif designs and provides detailed insight on specific elements of design that U.S. policy makers will need to take into consideration:

• Long-term policy stability
• Payments based on the cost of generation
• Differentiating tariffs by technology, size, location, and resource intensity
• Guaranteed access to the grid
• Eligibility to all end users and project developers, including some utilities
• "Must take" provisions for the electricity generated

For more information on Feed-in Tarrifs you can call a Solar Rebate  expert at: (480) 483-2400

Solar Rebate: Tucson - Permit Fee Credit for Solar Energy Systems

Tucson offers a permit fee credit for solar energy systems up to $1000 dollars for residential and commercial installations.

What is a permit for?

A permit is an agreement between the City and the applicant in which the applicant agrees to follow the city and Land Use codes.  Applicants must submit plans to show what he or she intends to do. Unless you are a licensed engineer trained to install solar panels, you will need to hire one of the Arizona solar companies to install the panels. Their engineer will prepare the plans you will have to submit in order to get the permit.  When the plans are approved, the construction must conform to the plan. Any deviations or changes from these plans cannot be approved in the field. 

How much does a permit cost?  

Permit cost will vary upon how many panels or kw's of energy you install on your house. The minimum required to be eligible for the credit is 1.5kw. 2kw = 10 panels.


EXAMPLES OF RETROFITTED BUILDING OR RESIDENCE
Photovoltaic 1.5 KW System   
Permit Fee   - $90.00
Credit Allowed - $1,000.00
Fees Waived - $90.00
Fees Due  - $0.00*

*This is not a rebate program, you don't get cash back. The credit only covers cost of the permit.
 
For information about Tucson Solar or a solar rebate you can call Arizona solar experts: (480) 483-2400