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Solar
Photo Voltaic
- 2007.12.18 - nytimes.com - Start-Up Sells Solar Panels at Lower-Than-Usual Cost
- 2007.09.10 - newscientist.com - Solar plane en route to everlasting flight Zephyr took off from a US military base in New Mexico and landed 54 hours later.
- EVDL "major breakthrough in photovoltaics claimed"
- 50c per kW-h - or possibly less it is unclear that the $4/watt barrier has been broken
- http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=143&art_id=vn20060211110132138C184427
- http://www.carbonfree.co.uk/cf/news/wk07-0008.htm
- http://www.ases.org American Solar Energy Society
- http://www.brookssolar.com Chelan, WA
- http://www.prthatrocks.com/pressrel/grzebiktaiwanpr.htm The ultra-modern $5 billion Taiwan National Stadium, designed by renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito, and constructed for the 2009 World Games, features a stunning 14,155 square meter roof incorporating 8,844 solar panels, which emulates the form of a flowing river, and generates 1.14 million KWh annually preventing the release of 660 tons-per-annum of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Solar Incentives for Washington State Residents
See http://www.solarwashington.org
Federal
30% tax credit for systems brought on line in 2006, and 2007 with a cap of $2,000 for homes and no cap for businesses. Both photovoltaic and hot water systems are eligible. ASES is working to extend and increase this credit to $2000 per kilowatt. Contact http://ASES.org for more information about their efforts and let your Senate and House member know how you feel.
Green Tags
Earn $0.05/kWh for everything your PV system produces for the next 5 years by selling your system's environmental attributes (bragging rights) as green tags, to Cascade Solar Consulting. This opportunity ends DEC 31, 2006 Go to http://www.cascadesolar.com for more info.
State
Sales Tax Exemption
By state law the sales tax (varies by county) is waived on purchase of the PV and solar hot water equipment and the installation of PV and hot water systems. This is in WA state law and is in effect until 2011. It was extended to 2013 but has now (as of June 2013) expired. You will be asked to fill out a form which is kept by your solar installer for his/her records.
Net Metering
Required under federal law and defined by WA state law. Net metering requires utilities to allow homeowners to hook solar, wind and micro hydro systems up to the grid and receive credit for what is contributed. This results in "turning the meter backwards". You draw from your energy credit when your PV system goes to sleep (evening and darkest days in winter).
Production Incentive Payments
A bill was past by the Washington legislature in 2005 that authorizes utilities to pay $0.15/kWh for every kWh a solar and/or wind system produces from July1, 2005 to July1, 2014. Go to the Northwest Solar Center for more information and an application. http://www.northwestsolarcenter.org. The incentive program has been extended and is now set to expire in June 2020. However, the Washington State legislature failed to renew the sales tax exemption for solar equipment and so (as of June 2013) that is no longer in effect.
This is voluntary on the part of the utility, as of July 2006 major utilities have signed on. The money comes from the state utility tax. If you buy an inverter manufactured in Washington state the $0.15/kWh is boosted to $0.18/kWh. If you buy panels made in WA you can add $0.36/kWh to the $0.15/kWh or $0.18/kWh. Two Washington state companies manufacturing inverters are Magnum Energy Inc, in Everett (http://www.magnumenergy.com), and Outback Power Systems, in Arlington (http://www.outbackpower.com).
Silicon Energy (http://www.silicon-energy.com/) and iTek (http://www.itekenergy.com/) PV panels are now being produced in Washington State.
Check with your local utilities about additional offers.
Puget Sound Energy offers customers an up front rebate for the cost of installation of photovoltaics at $525/kWh to $600/kWh depending on what county you live in. Chelan PUD's innovative SNAP program has been the leader in the state at assisting their customers in generating renewable power. Clark County offers $2,000 rebate for hot water systems. Some utilities are adopting the SNAP program and Bright Way.