Money!

In today’s world you can’t turn on the news or radio without hearing about the joys and wonders of solar energy. News report are stating that all the big corporations are switching to solar. Everyone from Walmart, Publix, Kohl, and the list expands everyday. What is behind this surge of sudden interest in renewable energy?

It seems that driving factor behind the continuing surge in commercial and residential solar installations is lucrative solar incentives not so much of environmental concern. At its core solar power is still quite expensive, due mainly to the high cost of solar panels. Yet, regardless of price, the need to implement clean, alternative energy sources is growing even faster than the industry itself. That is why many utilities, municipalities, states, and the federal government have stepped in to provide financial incentives for homeowners looking to make the switch from conventional, fossil-fueled energy.

First, the federal government has a tax rebate for anyone who puts in a solar system. There are three different types of system you could install and still get the incentives. Solar PV, solar thermal (solar hot water), and a solar pool heater. Thanks to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009, homeowners have at least one universal and substantial option available to them. Here is what to expect from the Feds over the next eight years (look for the Obama administration to juice up the pot even more!):

* Solar PV Tax Credit. With the $2,000 cap removed, homeowners can now appreciate the full 30% tax credit on solar system equipment and installation. For a $40,000 photovoltaic system, you can expect to save $12,000 in tax credits. This is usually factored into financing options, a hefty gain over the maximum $2,000 credit of yesteryear.
* Solar Thermal Hot Water and Solar Pool Heating Systems Credit. That 30% credit stands for solar hot water systems as well. Because SHW is much cheaper than PV systems, the difference between now and then is a tad more negligible (although it benefits co-ops and multi-family housing significantly), but still results in a good chunk of savings.

Think of something you’ve been wanting to buy, but the price is a stretch. Suddenly you can get a discount of 30% or more! Although that is a great start and would be more then enough for anybody to install one of these systems in their home or building the state wants to help out even more.
Each indivdual state offers a rebate program, it varies from state to state. Here I will focus on the Florida rebate program.

* Solar PV Rebate. Currently Florida offers $4/watt. At a max of $20,000 for residential and $100,000 for commercial. No wonder the big companies want to use solar power. That means for a basic 4Kwatt system you could receive a $16,000 check!
* Solar Thermal Hot Water Rebate. As long as the system provides 50% or more, which it usually does. Then Florida offers a nice $500 rebate check for residential and$ 5,000 for commercial and multi-family buildings.
* Solar Pool Heater Rebate. A simple solar pool heater will only get you a $100 rebate check. That is still very reasonable because the Solar pool systems don’t cost too much.

While these incentives are great for big companies that can afford an entire PV system a PV still wouldn’t be affordable to the everyday middle-class household. The best bet to reduce your bill and save the environment is to use these federal and state incentives is to get an affordable solar hot water heater. Fl Green is a new fully licensed solar company based in Miami, they can help you install everything from commercial PV systems to small residential solar thermal systems.

However there is a catch, you must have it installed by a state-licensed solar or plumbing contractor or a certified general contractor. They also must remeber to pull a permit. Most companies tend not to get one to save the consumer money and in the end ruin their chance of getting these incentives. The good news is these are easy to come by and FLAseia is a great website that list all the Florida solar contractors.

More Information is found at DsireUSA and FL Green Energy.