Solar Water Heating Incentives May Be On The Way
February 17, 2009 by editor
Filed under Solar News, Solar Programs
Solar hot water heater
Ninety percent of the hot water that pours from Californians’ bathroom and kitchen taps is warmed with natural gas, but all those hot showers come with a cost. Burning natural gas pumps out hundreds of thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year — and that’s in the state of California alone.
Capitalizing upon the state’s goals to reduce greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020, the California Solar Energy Industries Assn. recently released a study to demonstrate the environmental and financial values of replacing natural-gas water heaters with those that are powered with solar energy in the hopes its study will greenlight a potential $250-million consumer rebate program in the state.
The consumer rebate program is part of AB 1470 — a 2007 law that charged the California Public Utilities Commission with conducting a pilot project to determine if solar water heating is cost effective enough to implement the rebate program, which would provide financial incentives for the installation of as many as 200,000 solar water heaters. A typical residential solar water heating system costs $6,500. Read more
Palm Desert Helps Secure Solar Tax Credit
January 28, 2009 by editor
Filed under Solar News, Solar Tax Credits
Provisions in the economic stimulus package going to the U.S. House of Representatives today could make it easier for cities across the country to start Palm Desert-style energy loan programs.
Solar panel installation in Palm Desert, California.
Palm Desert city officials helped author the changes that would ensure residents who take out the loans can cash in on the 30 percent federal income tax credit for solar installations.
Another provision will allow cities and counties to issue tax-free bonds to fund loan programs.
The federal tax code allows cities to issue tax-free bonds only for public improvements. The proposed changes will include renewable energy installations in the definition of public improvements.
The bond provisions mean cities will be “able to access capital on the open market at a much lower rate than if you were to go out and get (taxable) bonds,” said Palm Desert City Councilman Jim Ferguson, who has pushed for the changes. “Taxable bonds depend on the credit- worthiness of a city. Municipal (tax-free) bonds are viewed as a safe investment.”
California Solar Panel Installations Through The Roof In 2008
January 28, 2009 by editor
Filed under Installations, Solar News
California solar billboard sponsored by Pacific Gas & Electric
Despite a credit freeze that’s stunting renewable energy projects throughout the country, 2008 was a hot year for solar power in California.
Encouraged by state rebates, Golden State residents and businesses last year installed a record 158 megawatts of photovoltaic panels on their rooftops to turn the sun’s rays into electricity, the California Public Utilities Commission said Wednesday. That’s more than double the 78 megawatts installed in 2007.
Residential demand appears to be hanging tough in the face of the shaky economy. December saw the largest volume of homeowner rebate requests since the state launched the California Solar Initiative program two years ago.
With Aid From the State, Californians Warm to Rooftop Solar Power
December 27, 2008 by editor
Filed under Featured, Solar News, Solar Programs
Rebates and new financing models spur adoption despite the recession.
At a time when many investors are sticking money in their mattresses, Californians are putting it on their roofs.
Applications for state rebates to install solar panels hit their highest level ever in December, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise gloomy economy.
Residents filed a record 1,215 applications seeking solar subsidies this month, according to the California Public Utilities Commission. That’s the best showing in the program’s 24-month history, and December isn’t even finished. More than 18,000 California homeowners and businesses have applied for rebates over the last two years. Although not everyone who files this paperwork actually ends up installing solar, the figures are viewed as a reliable barometer of future demand.
A record 133 megawatts of solar photovoltaics have been installed in California so far this year, even as the state’s economy has stumbled.
Seven New Commercial Installations Highlight Wide Range of Businesses Switching to Solar
November 12, 2008 by editor
Filed under Businesses, Schools & Colleges
Even institutions devoted to God can use a little human intervention every once in awhile. That’s why Bethel Lutheran Church in Cupertino, CA, recently installed a 150 panel solar system with assistance from Akeena Solar. The panels will generate 34,000 kWh each year, and should save the church between $900 and $1200 each month.
Akeena Solar today announced the completion of seven commercial projects with many using the company’s light-weight and non-penetrating Andalay Flat Roof system.
“Considering the electricity costs associated with running a business and the rebates available, solar is a win-win kind of deal,” said Sandy Frazen, president of Creative Labels, a manufacturer of a wide variety of labels in Gilroy who recently installed the Andalay Flat Roof solar power system. “We are cutting our electricity bill, and the Andalay Flat Roof system installed quickly and easily, without any disruptions to our business. My employees and I feel great about the steps we’re taking to be green and energy efficient. It’s simply the right decision, and the timing is right from a business perspective.”
Recently completed, the 200-panel installation on Creative Label’s rooftop is the largest installation in Gilroy. Akeena’s six other small business installations are scattered throughout the Bay Area and Central Valley, and in total the seven projects will provide nearly 235 kW of solar power and reduce carbon dioxide by 269 tons a year-the equivalent to taking 1,500 cars off the road.
San Francisco Supervisors OK Rebates for Solar Power Systems
June 12, 2008 by admin
Filed under Solar News
San Francisco supervisors gave final approval Tuesday to a program that will create a $3 million fund to provide rebates for residents and businesses that install solar power systems.
