‘Wind Turbine’ Category

 

4 Solar Power Rebates You May Not Know About

It will take a perfect storm of converging forces to push solar power into the limelight as a practical source of reliable power. So far, concerns about climate change, diminishing oil reserves and environmental impacts have all contributed to the growing demand for alternative sources of energy. And for consumers, solar is starting to look pretty enticing thanks to government incentives. Find out what you can get for choosing to solar to power your home.

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Why Solar?
Solar power is theoretically limitless, clean and costs nothing to produce. The cost resides in collecting, storing and transmitting the sun’s energy. To offset the cost to consumers, the federal government, and many state governments as well, have instituted programs to incentivize the purchase of various solar power systems.

The best part about it is that if you do choose to use solar power, it’s not an all-or-nothing choice. Solar can be adapted for specific needs, rather than providing all the power for a home. For example, you can install a system to provide only hot water or heat a swimming pool, while continuing to power the remainder of your home with more conventional energy sources.

Passive solar heating is very effective in areas with lots of sunshine since storage is not an issue. Passive systems use the floors, walls, windows and custom landscaping to absorb and distribute solar energy without the use of any mechanical equipment or devices. (To learn more about solar power, read A Solar-Powered Home: Will It Pay Off? and Spotlight On The Solar Industry.)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Commonly known as the “stimulus bill”, this act extended energy-related tax benefits that were originally included and amended in two prior acts: the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

The advantage of tax credits in this act over tax deductions is that every dollar spent is subtracted directly from the amount of tax owed, dollar for dollar. Itemized deductions allow you to recover only a fraction of what you spend depending on your income tax bracket.

Beyond the tax credits, rebates are available for specific energy-efficient appliances, automobiles and home improvements. Some of the current programs that apply to solar power are summarized below.

1. Residential Renewable Energy
A 30% tax credit is available for solar systems that are installed and operating by the end of 2016. There is no longer a limit on the amount of the credit, and it applies to energy systems for both existing and new homes. These credits are available for both a principal and second residence, but not for rentals. The credit applies to solar electric systems and solar water heating.

2. Home Improvements
A 30% tax credit is available for the purchase and installation of certain products that make homes more energy efficient. The limit is $1,500 per home and is effective through the end of 2010 for an existing principal residence. (For more on saving energy, see Home Energy Savings Add Up.)

While these improvements are not directly tied to solar power, they do increase the ability of the home to retain the heat and cooling generated by solar systems. The following items are eligible for this credit:

  • Metal and asphalt roofs
  • Insulation
  • Windows and doors
  • Ventilation systems

3. Solar and Wind
Going strictly solar for many people is currently an expensive option, making solar a long-term investment. According to HousingWatch.com, it’s estimated that the average home solar system can be installed for about half the retail cost after accounting for tax credits and rebates. For a 2,000 square foot house, a system with an expected lifespan of 20 years would cost about $30,000.

Sunshine is a scarce commodity in many areas during certain times of the year, not to mention its lack of availability at night. In addition, battery technology has not yet reached the point where solar power can be cheaply and efficiently stored in great quantity.

The near-term answer may be a combination of solar and wind power, both of which are eligible for various tax credits and rebates. The rebate payments are in addition to the tax credits and vary by state. Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wyoming, Arkansas, Utah and Vermont are among the states offering sizable rebates for solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and wind energy systems.

In Massachusetts, for example, residents receive $1 per watt of generated energy and an additional $1 if they meet certain income requirements. A 10-cent per watt bonus is paid if the system is made in the state. A one-kilowatt solar system in Utah qualifies you for a rebate of about $2,000.

4. Connecting to the Grid
One advantage of producing your own power is that you may have the opportunity to sell the excess power that you don’t need. A net-metering agreement between you and your utility company provides the option for the excess to be purchased by the utility at full retail price.

This power swap is accomplished as the electric meter spins backward when your power is fed into the grid. No additional metering is required as your existing meter can measure electricity flow in both directions.

The Bottom Line
Widespread implementation of solar power depends on reducing the upfront cost and dramatically improving battery technology. When deciding to purchase a solar system, do a thorough analysis of the cost and benefits. You may find that the credits and rebates make such a system a practical investment if you plan to remain in your home for many years. (Before you buy into the hype, learn how the industry works and how to spot the winners. Read Spotlight On The Solar Industry.)

Original story – 4 Solar Power Rebates You May Not Know About

Copyright (c) 2010 Investopedia ULC. All rights reserved. Investopedia.com is a Forbes Digital Company.

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Wind Turbines

Wind turbines collect kinetic energy from the wind and convert it to electricity that is compatible with the electrical system of a home or business.

Cascade Renewable Energy has distributed and marketed the SWIFT Wind Turbine in North America for residential, community and commercial customers since 2008. According to Jessica Lehti, senior sales and marketing manager, “The cut-in speed of the SWIFT product is 8 mph, and it is rated as 1.0 kW at 11 m/s, which is the industry standard for rating a turbine. The cut-in speed indicates the point at which the turbine begins generating electricity. SWIFT Wind Turbines are grid-tied, so once the product is installed, power will always come from their wind generated electricity first, and the rest of the power they may need will come from the user’s regular utility source.”

Lehti said that unique aspects of the SWIFT include: a quiet design suitable for urban, suburban and rural areas; flexible mounting options – they are structure and pole mountable; an outer diffuser ring that reduces noise created from the wind traveling along the blades, which increases efficiency and reduces vibration; dual fins that direct the turbine 360 degrees, keep the turbine positioned into the wind and provide over-speed protection; a grid-connected unit that offers efficient and autonomous operation without the use of battery storage; and a renewable source of on-site energy.

Cascade Renewable Energy

“Specifically, SWIFT Wind Turbines offer a small, quiet, structure-mountable option for residential home owners and commercial businesses with limited land resources. SWIFT does not require large amounts of acreage for installation because it can be mounted directly to a building. The small design – the rotor is seven feet in diameter – allows users to install multiple units for additional energy savings, and our product also provides an opportunity for LEED credits for green building,” Lehti noted.

Wind Turbine Industries Corp. (WTIC) manufactures the Jacobs 31-20. Chad Palmer, marketing manager, explained that the Jacobs “is a 20 kW system, rated at 26 mph. The height options offered for this product range from 80 to 140 feet and the Jacobs is available with a freestanding lattice or monopole tower. Our system’s unique design has been field-tested for well over one quarter century and it has proven to be one of the most effective and reliable small wind systems available to date.”

Wind Turbine Industries Corp.

WTIC has manufactured the Jacobs 31-20 at their location in Minnesota since 1986. “We sell approximately 70 to 100 units annually, with room for growth. Our system tends to be most appropriate for rural applications, both commercial and residential. One of the greatest challenges in serving these groups involves the inconsistent zoning regulations among them, but we’ve been able to navigate those challenges quite well,” Palmer said.

Qua Le is vice president of sales and business development at Xzeres Wind Corp. Members of the firm design, develop, manufacture, sell and support small wind power systems. “Our products include 2.5 kW and 10 kW systems. Each system includes a wind turbine, power electronics, towers and ancillary components for complete installation. Our products feature a highly-efficient design with few moving parts for easy installation, and reduced service and maintenance costs.

“The superior performance of our products is validated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Xzeres products are reliable – over 100 systems have been deployed in North America and carry a 10 year warranty. The durability turbine system provides 20+ years life. We offer a proven track record and the lowest cost of ownership, compared to similar products in the market today,” Le reported. He expects to sell over 80 wind power systems this year and 300 systems in 2011. “We plan to take advantage of federal, state and local incentives, American utility rebate programs and feed-in-tariff incentive programs across the globe.”

Xzeres Wind Corp.

He noted that despite strong market potential – due to incentives and robust utility policies – local permitting challenges have throttled market potential. However, several key states have recently worked together in enacting legislation to streamline the permitting process at the state level. This process may aid in a significant increase in sales within these markets.

Le claimed that for the last decade, the industry has been largely self-regulated, but at the end of 2009, a technical standard was finalized and a Small Wind Certification Council is now able to certify equipment for compliance to the technical standard. “Many in the industry see certification as a strong sign of the industry’s maturity and as a building block for lasting growth. In fact, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners will also begin the process of certifying small wind turbine installation professionals in the fall of 2010,” said Le.

According to Le, “Electricity prices across all sectors have risen by 6 percent since 2006 and this trend will continue. High prices of traditional electricity make alternative energy sources more competitive on an incremental-cost basis, particularly when factoring in renewable energy’s other financial and intangible benefits.”

 
 
 

Rules for Wind Power

A request by a tree farmer to install a 120-foot-tall wind turbine on his Long Lane, East Hampton, property has demonstrated that the Town of East Hampton is in need of guidelines for where and how such things are placed. Stephen Mahoney is seeking state and town permits to have the electricity-generating turbine installed on his 20-acre parcel. But the plan has drawn opposition from neighbors and others who want to preserve their views or are concerned about health and safety risks.

The specific location of Mr. Mahoney’s proposed wind turbine has been criticized because it is among many acres that were preserved with taxpayer money and that have been officially designated as scenic. At 120 feet tall, the turbine would tower over all that it is near. Mr. Mahoney should be allowed his turbine, but he should be asked to compromise on a height more acceptable to those who enjoy the view as it is.

The town, however, has no specific regulations governing such projects, though there have been calls for them over the years. This leaves the town board in the unusual position of becoming involved in a land-use decision, something otherwise reserved for other, less political boards, such as planning and zoning. Rules for wind power should be adopted before any additional projects are reviewed.

 
 
 

Wind power

by Merritt R. Helfferich, Fairbanks
Letter to the Editor

June 29, 2010

To the editor:

I have been a member of Golden Valley Electric Association for 46 years. I was a surveyor on the Healy-to-Fairbanks power line in the 1960s, fighting mosquitoes who got their energy from me. So do I like GVEA? I do. I like to turn on the lights.

Still, for the past two years I have been working to improve the insulation of my home, changing windows, chinking logs, replacing doors, adding compact fluorescent lamps and changing the furnace for more high efficiency. Soon I will insulate under portions of the house and replace the roof insulation. Not because I hate GVEA, but because I think my level of personal consumption of energy is appalling.

Plus, my electricity will cost even more in the future, given the additional $95 million the Healy Clean Coal Plant will take to license and the expenditure of vast amount of additional energy to make the changes required. The old design Healy Clean Coal Plant has been very, very clean for many years, in that it hasn’t worked.

Clean coal is an oxymoron. And I think, with apologies to the Usibellis, that the plant should now serve as a great monument to the end of the construction of coal plants and visited by lots of green tourists (not the Martians). In this mode it will contribute to the economy of Healy, which could use some help — have you ever directed anyone to Healy as a great tourist site? Now you will have the chance!

So I, but unfortunately apparently not GVEA, will continue to reduce consumption of energy in whichever way I can become more responsible. I hope GVEA can become more responsible, too. Think wind power!

 
 
 

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