| A good place to begin when you start any | | | | solar equity property increases ($15-$20 for |
| project is to start with the question, what is my | | | | every dollar saved in energy costs) and then you'll |
| end goal? For example, if you've got one of | | | | begin to see the picture of your net cost. When |
| Grandma's old dressers and you've decided to | | | | you've got all of those figures, it's a lot easier to |
| refinish it, it's good to know before you start | | | | get a loan. And...you may just qualify for a |
| what you're going to do with it when you're done. | | | | government loan. Certainly worth asking, wouldn't |
| Is it going in your bedroom? If so, what does the | | | | you say? Now, if your budget just isn't going to |
| rest of your furniture look like? Is every other | | | | allow you to do a lot, that's OK, too. Adding a |
| piece of furniture the same wood, with a | | | | solar hot water heater will reduce your power bill. |
| mahogany stain, or is it oak? Where do you plan | | | | And, the payback period's getting shorter and |
| to place it? Do you want this dresser to stand | | | | shorter as the costs go down. See if you can |
| out or to blend in? | | | | maximize your placement to make the system |
| When you're thinking about building your own solar | | | | expandable, put your energy savings into a |
| system, solar energy facts, like: | | | | separate account, and when you can afford it, |
| · Where do you live? This can help you | | | | get the rest of the system. Before you decide, |
| determine if solar is even a feasible option for | | | | though, be sure to see if there is a Solar |
| you. If you live where it's dark and cloudy most | | | | Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) in your state, or |
| of the time, and/or you experience extreme | | | | a program for Property Assessed Clean Energy, |
| variations in temperatures, solar may not be the | | | | both programs designed to make solar even |
| answer. That doesn't of course, mean you | | | | more affordable. |
| shouldn't explore it, but both passive and active | | | | · Will this be new construction or a replacement |
| solar energy power systems require sunlight. You | | | | for an existing system? In most cases, putting a |
| may find other renewable energy options will | | | | solar energy system into new construction is |
| work, but solar just won't. To get the facts on | | | | more cost effective than replacing an existing |
| how much you can benefit through solar energy, | | | | one. However, if your hot water heater, or your |
| find an expert in your area. Get an assessment | | | | furnace need replacing anyway, this is a good |
| of the best systems, and available options that | | | | time to look at your solar options. |
| would work specifically for your setting. | | | | · Will you use passive and active solar, passive |
| · Are you building a solar system for your home | | | | only or active only? This question applies most |
| or your business? Review the facts on both the | | | | directly to new construction, but certainly could |
| state and federal level about any incentives and | | | | apply if you're considering a remodeling project. |
| rebates offered. For example, did you know the | | | | Either way, take advantage of any south-facing |
| Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 | | | | windows, or window installations, and remember |
| provides a 30% investment tax credit (through | | | | to look at either and both as possible solar energy |
| December 31, 2016) for solar energy investments | | | | sources. Passive solar construction is currently |
| for homeowners with no cap, with the exception | | | | about $5 to $10 higher per square foot, but |
| of solar water heating, which has a $2,000 cap. | | | | active or passive, if you can go all solar, you |
| For commercial property, there is also a 30% ITC | | | | won't have any power bill to pay. To determine |
| through December 31, 2016. And, there is a | | | | your return on investment fairly quickly, look at |
| permanent accelerated depreciation allowance. | | | | average utility bills for similarly-sized houses in |
| Plus, there is also a building deduction for | | | | your area. And...did I mention, less (or no) moving |
| commercial buildings. Add to that any rebates, | | | | parts for repair? |
| state incentives, and utility incentives on net | | | | · Do you plan to do the work yourself, or hire it |
| metering (getting credit for excess electricity | | | | done? Professional installation is still pretty |
| generated by your system that is sent back to | | | | expensive in most areas, but before you start |
| the utility for others to use). | | | | the work yourself, check out all of the regulations |
| · Do you plan to build an entire solar system to | | | | for your area on what it takes to obtain the tax |
| meet all of your heating, cooling and lighting needs, | | | | credits, incentives and rebates. If you're a good |
| or something much less? This will require some | | | | do-it-yourselfer, and decide to do the work |
| looking at both your commitment to the | | | | yourself, you may be able to do even better than |
| environment...your current budget...and a good cost | | | | what you could get back from all the current |
| benefit analysis. If you really want to have a full | | | | incentives...or not. Be sure to do the math first. |
| solar system, first - determine the net cost of | | | | As you go along, you'll find many more questions |
| installation. If it's an active solar system installation, | | | | of your own, but these are a few good beginning |
| you'll have the cost of the installed solar panels, | | | | questions that can help you make good decisions |
| plus any operating equipment required (batteries, | | | | before you start. Go find some solar energy |
| inverters and wires...). Don't stop there. Deduct | | | | facts to determine what's right for you. |
| any federate, state, city, and utility rebates. (and | | | | By the way, it's a fact that solar energy is |
| if it's commercial, in addition to the accelerated | | | | renewable...and that using it will decrease your |
| depreciation deduction there are undoubtedly | | | | carbon footprint. |
| other city and state rebates or credits). Add any | | | | |