Solar Power Resources and Federal Solar Energy Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives
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How are solar panels attached to my roof
Unethical Practices in the Solar Power Industry
How to understand a PG&E solar bill
Federal Solar Power Incentive Programs
Update: Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 has been signed into law. The law has certain provisions that may be beneficial to people purchasing solar systems. Certain tax payers would be able to take a deduction for half of the cost of new equipment and other fixed assets placed in service in 2008. Consult your tax advisor to see if you qualify. Also ask about the stimulus package’s Increased Expensing Limit.
The Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008
As it stands, the 30% tax credit for renewable energy installations expires at the end of 2008. The Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008 attempts to extend that for a year. As it stands, it doesn’t look like it’s going to pass based on funding problems. Check back here for updates (last updated - 4/24/08)
- Energy Tax Incentives - “The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP), sponsored by a coalition of public interest nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations in the energy efficiency field, is designed to give consumers and businesses information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.”
- The big one - For Residential-non-business. Here you can get $2000 for PV, $2000 for a solar water heater, $1000 for a fuel cell, and a couple hundred bucks here and there for different energy efficient appliances.
- Contractors who build new homes - Can get $2000 per energy efficient home that meets certain guidelines
- Investment Credit - As a business you can get $1000 per kW capacity of a system
- Solar America Initiative - To fulfill solar energy’s promise, the President’s Advanced Energy Initiative proposes a new $148 million Solar America Initiative to accelerate the development of advanced solar electric technologies, including photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) systems, with the goal of making them cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by 2015.
Companies:
1. Bright Source Energy: Oakland, CA based developer of utility-scale solar power projects using Distributed Power Towers.
2. Energy Voyager: Attempts to connect inventors, entrepreneurs, and funders…. Actually exactly what they do confuses the hell out of me.
3. Find Solar: Find solar power providers in your area
4. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the solar industry. We work to expand markets, strengthen research and development, remove market barriers, and improve education and outreach for solar.
5. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab analyzes public interest policy issues and conducts research projects on key electricity market issues, including electric power system reliability, energy efficiency, demand response, renewable energy, distributed energy resources, and retail energy services.
6. Interstate Renewable Energy Council - A non-profit designed to accelerate sustainable utilization of renewable energy sources through state and local community activities.
7. American Solar Energy Society - Another nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S.
8. Home Power Magazine - The one stop shop for residential solar articles
10. U.S. Green Building Council - A non profit to promote building that is environmentally responsible.
11. Solar For SF - My Hood, baby!
12. Solar Lighting - Solar Powered Lighting
Companies by State (we’re filling this slowly):
Maryland
Industry Related Links
Community Reviews for a Healthy Life, Healthy Planet - SustainLane Healthy Life, Healthy Planet on SustainLane! Find and share reviews on over 20,000 green products and local businesses, including food, natural body care, alternative energy, non-toxic cleaning, eco-friendly furniture, clothing.
Noon Solar Our Noon Solar line integrates a flexible solar panel into the body of each bag, allowing it to charge your cell phone or iPod.
Lightharvest - Solar Energy Solutions
Contractors Licensing practice exam and state license practice exams Contractors licensing practice exam / state license practice exams - We can help contractors pass their contractors exam for most states, we have contractors state licensing practice exams for most states and most trades.
Green Jobs - New Energy - New People Renewable Energy Recruitment service and jobs supporting the solar, wind, biomass, hydro, hydrogen and fuel cell industries.
CENSYS - Community Energy Systems’ mission is to educate the public regarding energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the prudent and fair operation of utility companies. We believe that mission requires both intellectual and practical applications. To achieve this mission we will:
Roofing Repair Info - Find roofers. Roofers can often coordinate with your solar install team, which seems to be a big hangup with people considering solar.
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