Lights Out on Maricopa Solar Incentive ED-3

In late 2009, Electrical District No. 3 (ED-3) started offering up to $15,000 rebates on professionally-installed photovoltaic solar systems. The was so much interest in the program that ED-3 looked at ways to reduce its popularity. Already, the response has exceded the funds set aside for the rebate.

The ED-3 solar rebate program is funded by a renewable energy fee it charges customers - 30 cents a month for residential users and $12 a month for commercial. These fees help the company raise $300,000 a year, some of which is used to continue funding renewable energy projects.

Unfortunately, these projects pale in comparison to major utility companies such as Arizona Power Service (APS) and Salt River Project. These companies charge its customers between $1.88 and $3.46 a month for renewable energy projects and incentives. This will provide APS with $86.7 million in tariffs in 2010.

Despite collecting a large amount of money to fund renewable energy, APS and SRP are planning to scale down their solar programs. The number of pv solar installations in 2009 is greater than the previous 8 years combined.

One way APS will accomplish this is through reducing it's maximum rebate to ~$13,000. If APS does not takes this action, the funds set aside for this year will run out by June.

Still, thanks to the generous rebates offered by the federal government and APS, a solar system costs $8,000 - $12,000 out of pocket (instead of $30,000 - $35,000). Imagine purchasing a solar system at $8,000 that will provide you with electricity for the rest of your life!

In addition, any excess energy produced by your solar system will run your meter backwards, giving homeowners a rebate on their electricity.

APS is also looking into raising fees to support these renewable energy programs. APS is discussing whether the renewable energy fees are something the residents of Phoenix would want to pay.

This brings up one important point - the residents of Phoenix are paying for the solar rebates. Why would anyone continue paying for other homeowners to install photovoltaics instead of taking advantage of this offer? Getting a solar system 60% off in a state with as much sunshine as Arizona seems like a no-brainer.

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Solar Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Act - Colorado Solar Industry

Senator Mark Udall from Colorado revealed the Solar Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Act yesterday (March 18, 2010). The SUN Act allows residents who invest in solar system projects for their communities to receive the same 30% tax credit as homeowners. This provides an excellent incentive for communities around Colorado to invest in renewable energy systems to power their communities.

This will increase the demand for solar in Colorado, bringing solar jobs when they are needed most. In addition, Senator Udall hopes that it will push Colorado to set the solar standard for the country.

Just like the 30% solar tax credit for homeowners, the SUN Act has no limit and expires in 2016. With the implementation of solar credits, state and federal governments are hoping to decrease the cost of photovoltaic solar systems (so the tax credit is no longer needed). This will usher in a new era of abundant, renewable energy to power a renewable economy.

This should be the break that communities are waiting for. Why would you wait for energy prices to go up when you can get 30% off a solar system? It provides a steady flow of electricity, protects communities from blackouts, protects from rising energy prices, and provides a stable return on investment. Where else can you find an investment that is as secure as the sun rising in the morning?

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Renewable Energy - Replenishable Energy of the Future

Renewable energy is created by natural resources that are regenerable or replenishable. This means that after energy is consumed, natural processes regenerate the source. These resources include sunlight, wind, rain, tides, geothermal, biofuels, and more.

Unlike fossil fuels, these resources will not run out and produce little waste. Here is an overview of how humans harness sunlight, wind, rain, tides, geothermal, and biofuels.

Sunlight:

• Photovoltaics - converting sunlight directly into electricity
• Solar Thermal - using sunlight to heat up water/oil. The hot water is used in homes and hot water/hot oil are used to spin a turbine to generate electricity.

Wind:

• Turbines - spinning turbines generate electricity

Rain:

• Dams - rain collects into rivers to return to the ocean. Dams harness the "downward" movement of water to spin turbines to generate electricity. Someday, water might be pump behind a dam during the day (and maximum photovoltaic electricity production) to be used to generate electricity at night.

Tides:

• The movement of tides can be harnessed to generate electricity. Since the tide is almost always moving in or out, electricity production is consistent.

Geothermal:

• Heating - water warmed by geothermal resources is circulated in floors and walls, providing home heating.
• Electricity Generation - hot water can be used to spin a turbine and generate electricity.

Biofuels:

• Algae - nutrients, algae, and sunlight are combined to produce different types of fuels. Unlike the fuels underneath the earth, fuel produced by algae is renewable and removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• Corn - Corn is converted into ethanol, which is used to power cars and generate electricity.

We all know that renewable energy is the future of our civilization. Someday, fossil fuels will run out and force us to adopt renewable energy. Right now, renewable energy is supported (to a very small extend) by governments worldwide. With government rebates, it is economically feasible to switch to photovoltaic for electricity production. If you want to discover how photovoltaics are economically feasible, sign up for this free photovoltaic webinar.

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