It's tax season, so it was appropriate that the March meeting of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association-Alamogordo Chapter focused on tax incentives available for solar.
The lead speaker at the meeting held Thursday in the Alamogordo Public Library's Sacramento Room was Leslie Lamb of Liberty Tax Service of Alamogordo.
"You have some really awesome tax incentives in the state of New Mexico," said Lamb, who moved here 18 months ago from Iowa. "We're going to build a home, and we wouldn't do it without solar.
"Talking about energy-efficiency, you always start with easy-to-do things, like switching from conventional light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs.
"Consider investing in high-efficiency appliances, which will save energy and money in the long run. Upgrade your insulation. Add weather stripping and caulking, low-flow showerheads and water-heater wraps."
Lamb said there are energy-saver rebates for cycling off your swamp coolers at certain times of the day. She said information on the Power Savers program is available at (866) 471-7906, and that the PNM Energy Efficiency Program Hotline is (866) REBATES (732-2837).
For information available on the Web, go to www.energystar.gov, then to Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency in the lower left of the page. Library patrons who are not online can access computers at the Alamogordo and Tularosa public libraries.
Lamb said she had waded through most of the 407 pages of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, "which is a great summary of the federal tax credits available to homeowners for 2009 and 2010."
There is one total federal tax credit of $1,500 available over two years for each tax return filed, "so basically you can spend up to $5,000 during this two-year period on a single improvement, or multiple improvements, and get 30 percent, or $1,500, back as a tax credit. Save your receipts for certification," she said.
There are two categories of improvements that are eligible for tax credits, Lamb said. The first is available for 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500 total credit in 2009-2010 for existing homes and primary residences only, for windows and doors, insulation, roofs both metal and asphalt, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, non-solar water heaters and biomass stoves.
The second category is of tax credits is available at 30 percent of the cost, with no upper cost limit through 2016, for existing homes, including vacation homes and rentals and new construction. This category includes fuel cells, geo-thermal heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panel systems, small wind energy systems and solar water heaters.
"Since tax laws are complicated and ever-evolving, I suggest you contact competent advisors before investing in any improvements," Lamb said.
The audience for these meetings is very knowledgeable. Safi Harnett, a retired teacher, was one of those who commented favorably on the Solar Rights Law. Basically, that means that after a system is installed and before a neighbor goes for a building permit, it prevents structures being built next door that would shade your system, and therefore negate its effects.
Lamb handed out information that included 10 Web sites for federal and state credits, the Solar Market Development Income Tax Credit, Net Metering, the PNM Photovoltaic Buyback Program, pending legislation and other resources.
"The best single one is the EnergyStar site, and that is not the one with 407 pages," she said.
New Mexico Solar Energy Association-Alamogordo Chapter program director Jay Harrell said the next meeting will feature Xavier Ruiz of Southwest Home Energy Raters. "They come and rate homes for Energy Star certification. That's an EPA program, just like rating appliances," he said.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Alamogordo Public Library. Harrell said all those interested in learning more about solar energy are invited to attend.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
New local company promotes "green" construction and solar energy
A new company has recently been formed to provide a full range of renewable energy solutions for residential and commercial system users.
Four Elements Energy, Inc. provides on-staff licensed architectural services for green building and net-zero building design, green energy consulting, system design, project management, site assessments, and installation services.
The company installs solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, and wind turbine systems. They also conduct residential and commercial solar/wind site and energy efficiency assessments.
Principal owners Dan Alway, Lloyd LeZotte and Art Toy have modeled the company's goals and principles after their personal and professional commitments to a cleaner, greener world.
Alway lives off-grid near Gobles, and participated in the rebirth of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association.
Alway has been installing renewable energy systems for over 36 years, as well as teaching solar energy courses at the Kalamazoo Math & Science Center. He has designed and manufactured custom built high efficiency low energy direct current refrigerators for off-grid homes and boats for clients around the world.
He has given presentations on energy conservation and renewable energy topics throughout the Midwest.
LeZotte, a licensed architect and licensed builder, has over 24 years of experience in building design and construction in Michigan as well as having installed wind turbines, solar electric systems and solar thermal systems for homes.
LeZotte is NABCEP certified in solar photovoltaic systems. He is currently designing a two-story Earth-sheltered home with passive and active solar, wind energy and masonry stone heat.
He also drives a Volkswagon Beetle powered with bio-diesel and is an active member of the Bio-diesel Coop of Kalamazoo.
Toy, has over 26 years of experience in research, development, production, manufacturing and project management as well as having assisted with Pfizer, Inc.'s Climate Change, Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency initiatives.
He also has 13 years of military leadership experience, with his most recent assignment as an artillery officer with the Michigan Army National Guard.
Toy is NABCEP certified in Solar Photovoltaic Systems.
A virtual tour of Toy's on-grid home equipped with a 10KW wind turbine, solar water heater and geothermal heating/cooling system is available online as part of CNN's "Planet in Peril" series. The link to the virtual tour is at: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-9941
Four Elements Energy, Inc. provides on-staff licensed architectural services for green building and net-zero building design, green energy consulting, system design, project management, site assessments, and installation services.
The company installs solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, and wind turbine systems. They also conduct residential and commercial solar/wind site and energy efficiency assessments.
Principal owners Dan Alway, Lloyd LeZotte and Art Toy have modeled the company's goals and principles after their personal and professional commitments to a cleaner, greener world.
Alway lives off-grid near Gobles, and participated in the rebirth of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association.
Alway has been installing renewable energy systems for over 36 years, as well as teaching solar energy courses at the Kalamazoo Math & Science Center. He has designed and manufactured custom built high efficiency low energy direct current refrigerators for off-grid homes and boats for clients around the world.
He has given presentations on energy conservation and renewable energy topics throughout the Midwest.
LeZotte, a licensed architect and licensed builder, has over 24 years of experience in building design and construction in Michigan as well as having installed wind turbines, solar electric systems and solar thermal systems for homes.
LeZotte is NABCEP certified in solar photovoltaic systems. He is currently designing a two-story Earth-sheltered home with passive and active solar, wind energy and masonry stone heat.
He also drives a Volkswagon Beetle powered with bio-diesel and is an active member of the Bio-diesel Coop of Kalamazoo.
Toy, has over 26 years of experience in research, development, production, manufacturing and project management as well as having assisted with Pfizer, Inc.'s Climate Change, Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency initiatives.
He also has 13 years of military leadership experience, with his most recent assignment as an artillery officer with the Michigan Army National Guard.
Toy is NABCEP certified in Solar Photovoltaic Systems.
A virtual tour of Toy's on-grid home equipped with a 10KW wind turbine, solar water heater and geothermal heating/cooling system is available online as part of CNN's "Planet in Peril" series. The link to the virtual tour is at: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-9941
Solar group, local firms seek faster permitting process
A proposed state law would institute a standard statewide permitting system for the solar industry, bypassing local governments’ various procedures and fees which hurt local solar companies’ bottom line.
The issue: Some Central Florida city and county governments require solar companies to pull — and pay for — multiple permits to install one solar panel system, which means the need for multiple inspections. As a result, that can turn a simple eight-hour installation into a three-week ordeal and drive up costs.
The proposed committee bill — PCB EUP 09-03–Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency sponsored by Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, chairman of the state’s Energy and Utilities Policy Committee — would simplify things.
Instead, it would require a single permit, a single permit application and a single fee for the installation of a single system. It also would require local governments to charge a base fee for a permit based on the time it takes to review the application and install the system.
Seminole County and the city of Orlando have some of the toughest permitting systems to work with in Central Florida, solar companies said, while Orange and Osceola counties have more streamlined systems.
Due to the complexity of installing solar systems on buildings — whether residential or commercial — local governments require solar companies to pull up to three permits per installation, each needing an inspection, for a job that takes minimal time to complete, said Bruce Kershner, executive director of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, a Longwood-based, 100-member trade group for the solar industry.
And each permit costs contractors money and time, which has to be passed on to the customer, “creating another barrier that doesn’t encourage people to use renewable energy due to high costs.”
Bill Park, owner of Central Florida Solar Inc., a Casselberry-based solar water heater, pool heater and panel installer, said he’s seen permitting fees cost up to $1,800 for solar panel installations — a far cry from the base $50 fee per permit charged for other types of installations such as solar water heaters.
Another problem solar companies face, said Richard Smith, president of Longwood-based Superior Solar Systems LLC, is the fact that many government permit inspectors “are not cross-trained on solar technology that involves many aspects such as plumbing, building and electrical for a solar water heating installation.”
So a solar water system may require up to three permits — plumbing, electrical and building — before a project can get the green light, said Tim Johnson, permitting services director for the city of Orlando. The city charges $50 per permit pulled, which in the case of a solar pool heater could total $150 in fees.
As a result, Park and Smith said their firms may focus their marketing efforts in areas with faster, cheaper permitting procedures if a standard statewide permitting system isn’t put in place.
Orlando and Seminole County say they are working to improve their procedures, and they support the idea of the single permit regulation the bill would create since it encourages Central Floridians to use solar power. “Green practices are extremely important to the city, so we want to see this happen,” said Johnson.
The bill now is in state House committees, but there is no specific date for when it will reach the House or Senate floors.
The issue: Some Central Florida city and county governments require solar companies to pull — and pay for — multiple permits to install one solar panel system, which means the need for multiple inspections. As a result, that can turn a simple eight-hour installation into a three-week ordeal and drive up costs.
The proposed committee bill — PCB EUP 09-03–Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency sponsored by Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, chairman of the state’s Energy and Utilities Policy Committee — would simplify things.
Instead, it would require a single permit, a single permit application and a single fee for the installation of a single system. It also would require local governments to charge a base fee for a permit based on the time it takes to review the application and install the system.
Seminole County and the city of Orlando have some of the toughest permitting systems to work with in Central Florida, solar companies said, while Orange and Osceola counties have more streamlined systems.
Due to the complexity of installing solar systems on buildings — whether residential or commercial — local governments require solar companies to pull up to three permits per installation, each needing an inspection, for a job that takes minimal time to complete, said Bruce Kershner, executive director of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, a Longwood-based, 100-member trade group for the solar industry.
And each permit costs contractors money and time, which has to be passed on to the customer, “creating another barrier that doesn’t encourage people to use renewable energy due to high costs.”
Bill Park, owner of Central Florida Solar Inc., a Casselberry-based solar water heater, pool heater and panel installer, said he’s seen permitting fees cost up to $1,800 for solar panel installations — a far cry from the base $50 fee per permit charged for other types of installations such as solar water heaters.
Another problem solar companies face, said Richard Smith, president of Longwood-based Superior Solar Systems LLC, is the fact that many government permit inspectors “are not cross-trained on solar technology that involves many aspects such as plumbing, building and electrical for a solar water heating installation.”
So a solar water system may require up to three permits — plumbing, electrical and building — before a project can get the green light, said Tim Johnson, permitting services director for the city of Orlando. The city charges $50 per permit pulled, which in the case of a solar pool heater could total $150 in fees.
As a result, Park and Smith said their firms may focus their marketing efforts in areas with faster, cheaper permitting procedures if a standard statewide permitting system isn’t put in place.
Orlando and Seminole County say they are working to improve their procedures, and they support the idea of the single permit regulation the bill would create since it encourages Central Floridians to use solar power. “Green practices are extremely important to the city, so we want to see this happen,” said Johnson.
The bill now is in state House committees, but there is no specific date for when it will reach the House or Senate floors.
National Geographic Award For Solar Water Heater Advocate
Thomas Culhane, an adjunct professor at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., has been honored among the 2009 National Geographic Emerging Explorers for his work in bringing solar thermal solutions to the poorest neighborhoods of Cairo, Egypt.
Culhane, working with his organization, Solar CITIES, has hosted instructional courses that teach Cairo residents how to build and install rooftop solar water heaters and other renewable energy, water and waste management systems. “I believe Egypt could solve at least half its energy needs by immediately going solar,” says Culhane, whose work has resulted in the installation of more than 30 solar tanks in Cairo’s Coptic Christian and Islamic neighborhoods. “I divide my time between the two, working to bring them together.”
Culhane will receive $10,000 as part of the National Geographic honors, which will be applied towards research and to aid further exploration
Culhane, working with his organization, Solar CITIES, has hosted instructional courses that teach Cairo residents how to build and install rooftop solar water heaters and other renewable energy, water and waste management systems. “I believe Egypt could solve at least half its energy needs by immediately going solar,” says Culhane, whose work has resulted in the installation of more than 30 solar tanks in Cairo’s Coptic Christian and Islamic neighborhoods. “I divide my time between the two, working to bring them together.”
Culhane will receive $10,000 as part of the National Geographic honors, which will be applied towards research and to aid further exploration
Group turns cans into solar power for families
For every donation of 150 aluminum cans, nonprofit organization Green Energy Team makes a solar energy heater and donates it to an underprivileged family.
Derek Granat, a senior at Western Illinois University, had the idea about a year ago and decided to put his thoughts into action. After launching Green Energy Team on Western's campus two months ago, he has seen tremendous results in terms of can donations.
"This doesn't exist anywhere else," Granat said. "I can't find any other organization that takes away people's recycling for free and donates it back to the American people. It does not exist."
Within the week, the University of Illinois will have 20 can collection bins, mostly at fraternity houses, where anyone can donate aluminum cans. Green Energy Team will then pick up the cans and have them either made into solar panels or turned in for 30 cents a pound so they can buy other supplies for the heater.
The cans are painted black in order to better absorb heat, so whatever beverage selection was made will not be displayed.
"It seemed like a really simple job and simple way to help out people," said David Kirmse, Green Energy Team University of Illinois chapter president, and sophomore in LAS. "It's really not hard to sell to people either. 'I'm going to be your garbage man - put your cans in a special bin and I will pick them up.'"
The solar energy heater is meant to be used in conjunction with standard heating systems, not to replace them. Although it all depends on the size of the room, the heater can reduce heating costs on average between 20 and 30 percent.
The panel is installed on the roof of the home, where air is pushed from the room, heated within the panel, and then pushed back into the room as warmer air.
Although the solar heater won't work if the day is completely overcast, most days at least have sunny portions, Granat said.
Because the weather is getting warmer, Green Energy Team is waiting to donate the heaters until the fall. This way they can get an application ready for the families who want the free heater before formally giving away the heaters.
Derek Granat, a senior at Western Illinois University, had the idea about a year ago and decided to put his thoughts into action. After launching Green Energy Team on Western's campus two months ago, he has seen tremendous results in terms of can donations.
"This doesn't exist anywhere else," Granat said. "I can't find any other organization that takes away people's recycling for free and donates it back to the American people. It does not exist."
Within the week, the University of Illinois will have 20 can collection bins, mostly at fraternity houses, where anyone can donate aluminum cans. Green Energy Team will then pick up the cans and have them either made into solar panels or turned in for 30 cents a pound so they can buy other supplies for the heater.
The cans are painted black in order to better absorb heat, so whatever beverage selection was made will not be displayed.
"It seemed like a really simple job and simple way to help out people," said David Kirmse, Green Energy Team University of Illinois chapter president, and sophomore in LAS. "It's really not hard to sell to people either. 'I'm going to be your garbage man - put your cans in a special bin and I will pick them up.'"
The solar energy heater is meant to be used in conjunction with standard heating systems, not to replace them. Although it all depends on the size of the room, the heater can reduce heating costs on average between 20 and 30 percent.
The panel is installed on the roof of the home, where air is pushed from the room, heated within the panel, and then pushed back into the room as warmer air.
Although the solar heater won't work if the day is completely overcast, most days at least have sunny portions, Granat said.
Because the weather is getting warmer, Green Energy Team is waiting to donate the heaters until the fall. This way they can get an application ready for the families who want the free heater before formally giving away the heaters.
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