Florida State Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

An investment in PV can be an expensive proposition. To completely power a 42KWH / day electrical habit (my house) you require a 6KW system and a generous 7 hours of sunshine (bank on 6 at best). At $9 / watt installed – $54K (minus $2K fed, $18K state) that still leaves $34K to finance. A better idea is to tackle the hungriest appliance first – the water heater. This device uses up to a third of electrical usage – 14KWH / day in my case. A solar water heater cost me $3900 installed – I should get back $500 state incentive and $1170 FED (30%) – leaving $2230 to recoup. At 10 cents a KWH thats $42 / mth savings – or 5 years ROI give or take. Heated water is kept hot in a tank – so the benefits span cloudy days – and water is hot at night. Solar water heating generates further benefits – the home user sees the savings – and can see the light at the end of the ROI tunnel, the leap to PV may make more sense. Also, the 42KWH / per day appetite is now 28KWH – a 3KW system along with the conservative nature that comes with PV ownership will just about delete an electric bill. Also, you do something now – a year of the sun heating your water may see lower $/watt install prices, bigger incentives, etc.

Put in a solar water heater first – it saves about a third of your electrical usage, whets your appetite for PV, lowers the amout of PV you need, and almost half is covered with rebates.

I would break even to cut the power company out. They are at an endless increase….

I’d be interested in knowing the cost benefit comparison of solar hot water to tankless hot water, which is also reported to generate great savings.

i would like to know if the power that be.Have thought of any type of incentive. That would give a real incentiv for the Sr.population. They could realy use the savings it would give but it would take to long to realize the help. We have the need. the place and the time.to give it a try we could be the test group to show how well it works. And the time to record the the way it works. I would be glad to be a test paintent.

how can i find the status of my rebate for solar water heater

IF SOLAR IS SO GOOD WHY CAN’T THEY MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON

I really want to do this (I live in sunny Fort Lauderdale), but the state rebate of $20,000 has been exhausted, and it doesn’t look to be renewed. Take away the $20,000 and it’s pretty tough to make the business case for equipping a PV system. Depressing! I would love to hear other thoughts on this.

Regarding Mary’s question about the comparison between tankless and solar water heaters, I did a little searching. A lot of people ask about them as an alternative.

Tom Lane, author of Solar Hot Water Systems says: “Tankless water heaters do save space, but not much energy. Numerous tests by independent third parties, have shown only 10% savings versus conventional electric water heaters and 15% to 20% savings versus energy efficient conventional gas water heaters over a 24 hour period. Most manufacturers of these expensive water heater systems exaggerate the savings. Daily savings quotes of 25% or higher versus modern electric or gas water heaters are simply not true. In 2004, hot water manufacturers were required to add additional insulation to all water heaters, making instantaneous water heater savings more insignificant. Tankless water heaters have serious problems with scaling in hard water areas.”

Pretty LAME when the gov’t of a State (FL) with a whopping population of 19,000,000(!), and so much solar exposure, allocates a measly $5MIL for incentives! Of course it’s already gone, since that’ only 250 homes @ $20K each! And every participating business is eligible for up to $100K, which comes from the same pool, and knocks 5 homes out of contention.

Am I the only one who smells the stench of UTILITY LOBBYIST opposition all over this? GRRRrrr…

In the State of Florida I would think it would be more beneficial if we could run the air conditioners instead of just the water heaters. It should be made more cost effective to the average home owner and for once consider the people not the “profit margin”

From the FPL web site
The solar rebate program is very popular and successful. Due to the large volume of rebate applications received the budget approved for FY2008-2009,$5 million, was exhausted. When all of the funding was exhausted for FY2007-2008, the state continued to accept applications, placing the applicants on a waiting list. This list of approved applications has now reached the $5 million mark and will absorb all of the FY2008-2009 funding upon appropriation. The solar rebate checks will begin to be delivered in mid-July.

I have heard about plans to build your own solar panels at a reduced cost. What are the caveats for that? Thanks.

hi people

There is a program in California to help senior citizens on fixed incomes install solar in their homes. There is an urgent, urgent need for this in Florida now. Progress Energy has been granted, by the Republican appointed PSC, a huge rate increase. Think about summer in Florida without air conditioning. Think about 95 degrees and the humidity of summer for seniors and those with heart and other health problems not being able to run the air conditioning. This is a health emergency in the making and the governor and legislator don’t give a damn.

The federal incentive is now 1/3 the cost with no cap.

I’m embarrassed that my state of Florida does not have a more progressive solar program. There should be a solar panel on every roof in the state. Why is this so difficult??? When logic fails, follow the money trail…..

What an absolute great way to start and continue the enviroment! The solar water heaters are extremely benefitial financially and enviromentally. I have recently joined a company that speciallizes in solar water heaters as well as panels to heat pools during the cooler months….much more interested in the water heaters. I’m in the central Florida area, if anyone would like some feedback or information e-mail me @ Moore1716@gmail.com

Hey Beth, that’s why California is bankrupt and Florida isn’t. When the government gets involved in free enterprise, it wrecks the industries. Just look at the auto industry that was forced to finance all the development of all the hybrid cars that no one wants.

If they want to save POWER than where are the 25 watt electric bulbs, I can’t find them. Remember that they save and you PAY !!

Jim

Energy Reality in RI:
I have recently started a solar company in RI (neastsolar.com) and I am shocked at the lack of action of people in the North East when it comes to energy conservation. There are still many thousands of homes and business in the North East that have not taken advantage of low cost quick pay back energy efficiency improvements. When you add them all up they have a far greater impact on our environment, local econemy and road to energy independence than alternative energy. Some of us that have lived through the energy conservation years of the 70’s and early 80’s have made the necessary efficiency improvements to our homes and businesses and are ready for alternative energy. We in the Northeast seem to only react when energy prices reaches deep into our pocket. The new President should ASAP consider taxing oil to keep the energy conservation and the alternative energy ball rolling.

Taxing a commodity to force consumers to another product?, a little regressive thinking for a progressive business owner. I want the gov’t to tax all of my competition too.

I’m so close to putting a 3.12 kW system on my home in South Fl but I’m worried about the rebate from the state and the Fed incentive. Two questions:
1-Does anyone know if they are going to replenish the State Rebate money?
2-Is the Fed rebate 30% with no cap, or is $2000?
Both of these will factor in on my decsion. I’m looking at either $10,000 or $22,000 depending on the rebates!!!! BIG DIFFERENCE.

Kel,

For sure, the Fed rebate is now 30% with no cap. The cap was removed at the end of 2008. I’m not sure about timing on the Florida state rebate. We’ll try to dig something up for you in the next week.

Cheers,

- Dan

nice presentation, seeking full system in stages or on one shot

I want to be in the manufacturing process. Live in Florida. What kind of education do I need to land a job in Alternative Energy which I am wanting to do a career change to?

Hello over there.I live in germany and was looking for some infos about what is going on now with alternative energy in the us.
I and alot of people here own a solarwater heating system here and it works good.My system is just for the hot water storage but lot of people have it combined with the heating system.
Last dec i decided to invest in a solar energy system.That works too but we get a high support from the energy supplier.
the energy suppliers are forced by law to buy your solar energy for 0.48 cents per kw for systems set up in 2008.2009 is it 0.43 cent now.To compare for the energy i take from the grid i pay around 18 cent.
If i would live in florida i would definately check if i my roof would be a good location for a system.But heat is not good for modules because with rising heat the power production lowers.
If anybody is looking in further info feel free to mail me.:U.Matzel@hotmail.com

i think that pv panels are the way to go, but the expense is still to large. but i have been working on cutting my electric bill to its bare minimum. At the moment i have it down to 46.00 dollars for the month. between a timer on my hot water heater, and not using my A/C. Thank God for a great breeze. People look at cutting your usage and then re figure your needs in a system. plus look into having a spray foam roof installed. r7 per inch on your roof means that your attic won’t heat up. Just an idea… Thxs

Solar does rock, I have played with solar for several years and have now powered my entire outside with soft mood lighting plus run 1500 gallons of water thru 3 turtle ponds 24-7. I am really thinking of giving up my job of over 20 years to work in solar but do not really know were to start. any hints would be a great help

I am a x-fossil fuel project manager and sales rep. I am seeking manufacturing principals to represent in FL and GA.

Thanks, Ron
Southeast Energy Services, LLC

Are the state rebates for solar power generation treated as taxable income? If so, this seems to be overlooked on most webpages devoted to solar incentives. Can anyone give me an authoritative answer? I learned this at: http://seia.org/galleries/pdf/SEIATaxManual_v3-0_FAQ.pdf

Can you give updated cost benifit analysis? These numbers apear to be at least 2 years old.

State of Florida rebate should not be considered taxable income, per DEP. See http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/files/faq_solar_rebates.PDF

Note that this is an old document and that the comment that the Federal tax credit would be reduced by the FL rebate is no longer valid. This was repealed in the Feb. 2009 Recovery Act legislation.