Should Dems Offer A Tax Break For Solar Panels?

[andino]

So I was looking into getting solar panels for my house and I found out real quick that the price for them are way too high. That got me to thinking, if I got a tax break to offset some of the price I'd really look into putting them on my house. I think that I'm not alone there either.

My question is this, why hasn't the Dems offered up tax cuts as on Solar Panels for businesses and citizens in their energy plans. It isn't a 'quick fix' by any means but if a larger number of people did this then I'm sure it would cut our energy consumption down.

[nicknameless]

1. That might be a state issue.

I believe California used to offer tax incentives for solar installations. Perhaps they still do.

I agree that it's an excellent idea. Germany is doing it on a very large scale.

[andino]

4. So, should we all start tossing out e-mails to our state reps? n/t

[nicknameless]

5. Look to the progressive reps (are there any in OK?)

All states are pretty much hurting right now. How can alternative energy help the revenue stream of the state?
Maybe by adding solar systems to public buildings, the state can save money down the road.
How can you demonstrate to them that residential installations will benefit the state too?

If you can persuade them that there will be a benefit to the state overall, you can get some reps behind you.
How dirty is the air in OK? Clean energy can help cut down on medical costs, improve employee productivity, etc.

Appeal to them that it's in OK's best interest. Good luck! :)

[haele]

15. California still offers tax incentives -

Ends up being about 1/3 the cost of installation, no matter if it's just a little water heater system or a full on home electrical grid. Lots of banks will grant a small home loan to put in a system because of the tax incentive and payback with the utilities; it's almost a given that once the system is in, it should begin to pay for the loan after about a year on it's own due to the savings. And if you get a system with a rebate or promotional package, you're definatly golden...

However, a solar system will increase the property value (I don't remember by what percentage), which might raise taxes some if you end up buying a house that already has one installed or if the city, county or state decides to re-evaluate your property tax.

With the cost of utilities and potential future problems, however, I'm thinking that at least in the South West, solar is definatly the way to go. We'd do it if we owned right now. We're renting a perfect house to turn completely solar (grid and heating/cooling)for around, say $20K.

Haele

[benburch]

2. We did.

Jimmy Carter had that all in place in 1980.

Ronald Reagan destroyed Carter's whole energy plan. A plan which would have had us onto 70% renewable energy by now.

This all falls at the feet of the GOP Criminal Organization.

[nicknameless]

3. Reagan even removed Carter's solar panels from the White House.

[Erika]

6. Reagan would have loved to own a humvee

Solar panels? No, the GOP doesn't "do" those nasty things.

[nicknameless]

7. Heh. Probably more than one.

He and Ahhnold could have competed with one another to amass the largest collection of those assault vehicles.

Did you hear dimson announce that people should drive less and look into getting hybrid cars?
But wait, I thought conservation was for sissies. :eyes:

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. And for once I agree with dimson

and I OWN a hybrid... this week we have had to operate teh truck and trust me, I ain't a happy camper.

[nicknameless]

10. You're smart to drive a hybrid. I really wish I had one now.

Do hybrids have any downside?

[meisje]

17. Hybrids are not all that great

for one they don't get the gas milege they claim. They also are not well suited for anything but city driving. What do you do with the batteries after they wear out in a few years and what will they cost to replace.

[nicknameless]

9. Woo-hoo, andino! Check this out:

Oklahoma Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State=OK&RE=1&EE=1

There appear to be both State AND Federal incentives.


Here's the page that links to all other states:
http://www.dsireusa.org

I started here: http://www.wholesalesolar.com

:)

[Ready4Change]

11. Yes. Some states already do.

I think Maryland has restarted its program, for example.

[nicknameless]

12. Check this map for solar incentives in ALL states:

There are also Federal incentives. Click on your state to see what's offered in your area.

http://www.dsireusa.org

[skids]

13. Solar price calculator, including local incentives...

http://findsolar.com/

I'd encourage you to look at solar hot water heating and geoexchange first, though.

[andino]

16. 38 years to break even..... OUCH!!!!

[skids]

19. Yeah generally if you're to the point of doing PV...

...you should already have taken care of trimming your energy budget. Otherwise you'll get a long payback period.

Things may change when the concentrators and non-Si panels hit the market, which is why if you haven't done solar thermal or geoexchange yet, it's better to do that first -- payback periods are much better. I think the calculator handles solar thermal as well.

[silvershadow]

14. check out this article on a new type of solar panel

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=143&art_id=vn20060211110132138C184427

[corporate_mike]

18. that's cool

[andino]

20. Thats awsome. I wonder what the cost will be.