Tax Incentives for Commercial Buildings For Solar is a 5 yr expedited write down.
Tax Incentives for Residential Buildings and Tax Credits for Home Builders
More consumer information
from US Department of Energy
|
Internal Revenue Service
|
Treasury and IRS Provide Guidance for Energy Credits for HomeownersThe rules change
often so it’s hard to put rebate data and keep it current
|
IRS Youtube Videos 133- Recovery: Cut Your Energy Costs and Taxes
|
Other IRS videos
|
Payback period for solar
|
The three primary variables that determine your payback period are:
Utility Prices, Cost Of System and Available Incentives.
|
For commercial systems, customers - the payback is typically around 5 years when
paying cash*.
*Assumes customer can take advantage of the depreciation
benefits
|
Residential customers typically see a payback in 8-12 years. Residential payback
periods are not as fast as commercial clients because individuals cannot take advantage
of depreciation.
|
Solar-estimate.org
I found a solar calculator not sure if It should be used but its not bad.
|
Consumers who install solar energy systems including solar water heating and solar
electric systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before
December 31, 2016; the previous tax credit cap no longer applies.
|
1. Pre-Plumb for Solar Water Heating
|
|
Description:
|
Insulated copper pipes are installed from the attic to a hot water closet or mechanical
room for future solar installation. This option allows the homeowner to install
an active solar system at a later date if they desire.
|
|
Application:
|
Provide south-facing roof area for collectors and access for piping to a mechanical
room.
|
|
Benefit:
|
Solar hot water pre-plumbing can save money for the homeowner if, at some point
in the future, they 7 want to install a solar system.
|
2. Install Solar Water System
|
|
Description:
|
Solar water heating systems use solar panels to collect heat from the sun. The hot
water is stored for use at a later time. Water pre-heated by a solar system can
also supplement use of a standard water heater.
|
|
Application:
|
Provide sufficient south-facing roof area for collectors, and allow space in a hot
water closet for the additional hot water storage tank.
|
|
Benefit:
|
Solar hot water systems can pay back in as little as seven years and reduce the
use of gas or electricity for water heating.
|
3..Pre-Wire for Future Photovolatic (PV) Installation
|
|
Description:
|
Running wires from the roof to theelectric service entrance/circuit breaker panel
can save costly installation of photovoltaic panels at a future date.
|
|
Application:
|
Run two pair #10 THHN wire plus #8 ground in conduit from the south facing roof
to a junction box near the panel (don’t wire the panel). East and West facing roofs
can work if the south is unavailable or shaded for panels.
|
|
Benefit:
|
Photovoltaic panels and systems will continue to drop in price over the next few
years. Homebuyers may not be able to afford the system today but may be interested
in the future when the price comes down.
|
4. Install Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
|
|
Description:
|
PV panels contain hundreds of small cells that collect the sun’s energy and convert
it into electricity. Excess electricity can be sent back into the utility grid.
The collected energy can also be stored in large batteries to meet the needs of
nighttime energy requirements.
|
|
Application:
|
Typical PV installations include flat roof, sloped roof, building integrated PV
and ground mount. Items to consider when installing PV include:
- sunlight-minimum of 4 hours required during peak period (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with
no shade
- orientation-anything but North
- angle-flat to 60 degrees
- adequate roof area-depending on type of PV selected(monocrystal, polycrystal or
amorphous)
|
|
Benefit:
|
PV panels can be used as a means to decrease reliance on conventional power plants
that contribute to air pollution
|
5. Install Solar (PV) Walkway Lights
|
|
Description:
|
Solar walkway or exterior lighting use photovoltaic cells (PV) to create electricity
during the day and store it in batteries for night time use .
|
|
Application:
|
Lights can be placed anywhere without the need to run wires as long as they receive
sunlight during the day.
|
|
Benefit:
|
PV lighting is cost effective and reduces the need for grid-provided electricity.
|
6. Select Safe and Durable Roofing Materials
|
|
Description:
|
40-50 year asphalt composition, tile, slate, fiber-cement and metal are examples
of safe and durable roofing materials. Avoid cedar and wood shake shingles.
|
|
Application:
|
Applicable anytime roofing material is specified
|
|
Benefit:
|
A durable and safe roof is cost effective and reduces landfill deposits.
|
7. Install Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing
|
|
Description:
|
When radiant energy from the sun strikes a surface, it is converted to heat energy.
A radiant barrier reflects radiant heat and does not emit it to the cooler surfaces
around it. Radiant barrier sheathing is a roof sheathing material with a reflective
layer (film or foil) applied to the underside.
|
|
Application:
|
Radiant barrier sheathing can be used in place of conventional roof sheathing. Apply
reflective material to the underside of rafters .
|
|
Benefit:
|
Radiant barrier sheathing reduces heat build-up in attic spaces by not re-radiating
heat from to roof to the attic. It can prevent up to 97% of the sun’s radiant heat
from entering the home and can bring attic temperatures down as much as 30 degrees
on hot days, keeping the whole home cooler and reducing energy consumption for air
conditioning.
|
Financial incentives
and technical help for energy-efficient appliances, equipments, and buildings
Special Rebates and Incentives to save money and reduce energy
use
US Environmental Protection
Agency
|
Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development - National Center For Appropriate
Technology
|
To help communities design and implement a vibrant new approach to planning, the
US Department of Energy has created a Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development.
This new service assists communities throughout the United States by providing excellent
consultation and information on sustainable development.
|
US Department of Energy – Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy- Building
Technologies Program (BTP) Many Programs to promote building including
better buildings program and high performance buildings.
|