Good question. If you were selling it you could claim this as a home business. You have to be careful with this as it raises red flags with the IRS. Although home businesses are legal to claim and should be reported as income become an issue when part of the home is written off. I hope that you find a Green deduction.

Technorati Tags: bio-diesel, Business energy tax credit, green tax incentives, small business tax credits

I am familiar with what is in the stimulus bill and it is very limited in this area and nowhere near the type of investment I am talking about. It simply provides tax break for those who install solar appliances. how_would_I_know: the technology is improving all the time in this area. No one says that solar is the complete answer. Massive investment in solar based on sales would lead to improvements in collection effeciency though. As for wind power. This is not a realistic idea for the average home based on the size and noise factors involved.

bkc99xx: You don’t get it. You are going to subsidize this research regardless. Obama is planning a massive expansion of green energy programs in his new budget, but rather than providing you with an avenue to help defer costs (i.e. home generated solar which can be returned to the grid and must be bought from the producer at premium kiowatt per hour rate) his plan will dramatically increase your monthly costs for energy with no plan for offset in cost.

bkc99xx: I said subsidies, but this is not really the correct word except in the case of tax breaks. The money would actually be in the form of secured loans. Yes I do know how much the cost of the system installation would be in my case. Roughly 15000 dollars and I have estimated that it would take roughly 15 years for the system to begin to produce a surplus financially. However this estimate is based on current kilowatt per hour rates in my area. The one thing I am absolutely sure of is that this cost will increase over the lifetime of the system making it more cost effective with time even when you factor in proposed maintenance costs. Interesting answers which I enjoyed reading. I am going to send this question to a vote. Thanks to all for taking the time.

Tax Credits will be extended under so called ’stimulus plan’ – but will it be ‘cost effective’? Wind, Solar Tax Credits Extended in $700 Billion Bail-Out http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/oct2008/2008-10-03-02.asp Tax Credits would be the most efficient way to add to our economy – rather than another More obtrusive government Bureaucracy. Interesting – Don’t you think? Feinstein seeks block solar power from desert land http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h7aY31elSSpEWsXL0RHmqIowB3rgD972CNG00 There are Already Several Solar Farms in that area = Is Feinstein going for Corruption Money to grant them land usage, like she did giving her ’significant other’ government contracts from her committee??!??

Technorati Tags: Business energy tax credit, energy tax credits, green stimulus

Building green commercial buildings and residences offer many benefits to the occupiers of these buildings, to the owners and also to the builders. There is also a social imperative to building green as global warming becomes a more real threat to the environment. What signals a green building project are the lowered carbon emissions that will be generated by the building and the reduced environmental impact.

The building’s green qualities show up in many ways. Typically, green buildings will use a higher than average number of recycled building materials.  Showers and toilets will be low flow.  Rain water may be recaptured to use in landscaping and for plumbing needs.  Lumber will come from newer growth timber sources that are trackable.  As many materials as possible will come from local sources. Energy efficient doors and windows will be used with low E-coatings.  Carpets and other flooring will be of natural fibers or woods.  Special paints will be used. There will be a special effort to align the building for maximum lighting and heating from the sun. Building debris will be recycled.  Each of these energy-saving efforts will earn credits toward a higher LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification level.

It is important in creating a green building project to put a LEED accredited architect or contractor in charge of the project.  The LEED standards require that the person in charge from the design angle be LEED certified. Many others working on the project may well also get accredited, but at least the lead person must be. The testing for LEED accreditation, as well as the building certification, is handled by the U.S. Green Building Council.

A critical step in making a commercial building or home a green building is the use of a renewable energy source for heating, cooling and hot water. Systems that will qualify both commercial and residential projects for the energy tax credit, as well as for some state and local rebates, are solar systems, geothermal, biomass and small wind technologies.

In addition to qualifying for the federal energy tax credit builders or homeowners can qualify for special incentives from some state and local governments. Specifically:

Chandler, AZ–Expedited plan review and certification fee reimbursement for green buildings.

California– Marin (waiver of energy fee; fast track permitting, free technical assistance), San Diego (building permit and photovoltaic plan check fees are waived and the process is fasttracked), and Santa Monica (priority plan check for LEED buildings) all have green building incentive programs.

Florida– Miami-Dade has an expedited permitting process for green buildings buildings with solar heating and hot water systems are subject to fast tracking whether for commercial or residential in unincorporated Dade County and West Miami.

Illinois– Chicago has a Green Permit Program (fast track permits, and waiver of some code review fees).

North Carolina– offers local option green building incentive programs and Mecklenburg County specifically has a Green Permit Rebate Program. (Local option allows NC communities to waive permits and fees and provide other incentives to builders who reduce energy consumption significantly. Mecklenburg specifically will waive up to $100K in permits and fees for LEED certified buildings.

Arlington County, VA– Green Building Incentive Program  allows extra density or height in buildings that are LEED certified with increasing densities at higher levels of certification. Buildings that attempt LEED certification and fall short are required to contribute a fine to the Green Building Fund.

Seattle, WA– Density bonus for green buildings for green buildings in the core downtown that achieve LEED Silver or higher. These buildings may be granted more floor levels.

The location of a green building project is also critically important.  Builders try to place these projects in areas with good mass transit and in communities that are walkable for basic necessities such as shopping, professional and medical services, restaurants and entertainment.

Developing a green community is about shaping lifestyles.  Specifically, a green community practices LOHAS, or lifestyles of the health and sustainability consumer.  In this type of community environmental sustainability is valued and considered equally with social and economic factors.

In addition to the energy tax credit, and various state and local incentives, homeowners may qualify for energy efficient mortgages (EEM).  These green mortgages turn energy savings into income for the homeowner. Mortgage companies hope that with offering an EEM they will be encouraging purchase of larger or more costly homes.

Once the project is complete the LEED credits can be submitted to the USGBC for certification and the homeowner or builder may also apply for the energy tax credit in conjunction with the tax return for the year the home is completed.

Green Research Council

Technorati Tags: energy tax credit, green building, green building incentives, green mortgage, LEED building

The Pella Corp. reports that sales are beginning to rise as a result of the energy efficient windows tax credit currently available to consumers who upgrade to super efficient windows.

A spokeswoman for the company, Kathy Harkema, said that despite layoff of 37 workers earlier in the fall, the company is nearly at full production.  The company employs 8,600 throughout the country and is Iowa-based. It is one of the major green businesses that manufacture energy efficient windows in the United States.

One element of the recession has actually helped Pella Corp.: fewer people are moving and more are getting to home improvement jobs in their current homes.  Naturally, homeowners want to install the most energy efficient windows and doors because of the long-term savings in energy and dollars expected from this improvement, and the government is currently offering incentives to help make that possible.

The energy efficient windows tax credit that was expanded in the 2009 Stimulus Package offers a reason for home owners to get to the “to do” job jar now. Windows and doors installed and “placed in service” between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 are eligible if they are certified energy efficient. The credit is only for renovation of primary residences and does not apply for second homes or for new homes.  The credit covers 30% of the costs up to $1500. 

Green Research Council

Technorati Tags: Energy efficiency rebate, energy efficient windows, energy efficient windows tax credit, green businesses

Every business should become familiar with the resources in the DSIRE database, and particularly the information included on the pages for programs in the business’s state.  As an example, here’s the data in the DSIRE database Iowa page applicable to green businesses in Iowa.

There are two separate Production Tax Credit programs initiated in 2005 and available to companies that generate and sell power through eligible wind energy generators and other renewable energy facilities, including biomass and solar.  To qualify for the credit, a wind energy facility must be approved as eligible by the IUB. There are no specific ownership criteria for individual projects; however, facility owners may not own more than two eligible facilities, and must have an executed power purchase agreement or interconnection agreement except when the electricity is used for on-site consumption.  The DSIRE page gives the contact information with the Iowa Utilities Board for more information.

Iowa also offers an excise tax exemption for Commercial, Industrial, Residential generators of energy through methane digesters and wind, and there is a reduced rate for large hydro power generators.

The state allows Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural and Residential properties to be assessed at a lower rate for local property taxes when wind power is self-generated. This statute allows any city or county to pass an ordinance assessing wind energy conversion equipment at a special valuation for property tax purposes, beginning at 0% of the net acquisition cost in the first assessment year and increasing annually by five percentage points to a maximum of 30% of the net acquisition cost in the 7th and succeeding years.

There is also a local property tax exemption for facilities that produce methane gas for energy use through a landfill, anaerobic digestion or biomass.  For non-public facilities the exemption applies between for facilities that are not located at publicly-owned sanitary landfills, the exemption may only be claimed if the facility is placed in service between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012.

For Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Wind created for use of facilities in Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Agricultural sectors there is also an Iowa property tax exemption available for the first five years of use, according to the Iowa page in the DSIRE database.

Businesses and residential users also receive a break in sales tax when they purchase wind generation equipment. This type of equipment is exempt from sales tax.

There is a long-standing alternative energy research grant program administered through the Iowa Energy Center at Iowa State University available commercial, industrial, nonprofit groups, transportation agencies, agricultural interests, or institutional organizations.  Areas of research must be related to Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Renewable Transportation Fuels, or Municipal Solid Waste. This grant program is not open to private individuals.

Iowa State University also administers the Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program, which also provides capital with up to 50% of loans available at 0% interest up to $1,000,000. Non-rate regulated programs have some special restrictions on amount and how often they can apply for funds.  There is also a loan program for non-profits, state and local government agencies and institutions for the installation of the following types of technologies: Lighting, Lighting Controls/Sensors, Chillers, Furnaces, Boilers, Heat pumps, Air conditioners, Caulking/Weather-stripping, Building Insulation, Doors, Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Renewable Transportation Fuels, and Geothermal Heat Pumps.

The DSIRE database Iowa page also lists the specific utility rebate programs available to Iowa commercial enterprises. 

For Iowa green businesses the DSIRE database is the place to start in researching the green tax credits available through the state of Iowa, its cities and utilities.

Green Research Council

Technorati Tags: DSIRE, green tax credits, Iowa energy tax credit, Production tax credit

California State, local governments and utilities offer a number of green building incentives programs and energy incentives to commercial and industrial businesses. California has one of the most extensive energy programs in the country.  Several cities and counties have defined specific programs for builders and businesses that decide to build green.

In Marin County businesses that exceed Title 24 (California Building Energy Efficiency Standards) requirements by 20%, or install an on-site renewable energy system that produces a minimum of 75% of the annual energy use for the building can receive an energy fee waiver, fast-tracked permits, and free green building consulting. 

In San Bernardino County businesses and builders that commit to building green will receive fast-tracked plan review, priority inspections, design assistance, and recognition for all qualified projects. Green building incentives are available for approved programs include the LEED building system, California Green Builder standards or the San Bernardino County’s Green Building Basics Checklist.

Energy incentives and green building incentives are also available in San Diego County.  This county offers a Green Building Incentive Program designed to promote the use of green building materials, water conservation and energy efficiency in new or renovated commercial buildings. San Diego County will reduce building permit and plan check fees by 7.5% and grant accelerated plan checks.

Santa Monica has specific guidelines for businesses and residents for installing solar power.  They also encourage the construction of sustainable buildings by allowing priority plan checks for USGBC LEED building projects.

There are also a wide variety of other energy incentives open to California businesses including:

• Loan and rebate programs in several California communities;
• Production Tax Incentives for businesses that create their own renewable energy;
• Contracts with utilities for sale of excess self-generated renewable energy;
• Energy efficiency financing program;
• Utility loan and rebate programs for energy efficiency and green buildings.

Green building incentives and energy incentives help California businesses to mitigate the up front costs of building and renovating using green building practices.

Green Research Council

Technorati Tags: California energy tax credits, energy incentives, green building incentives

 

The federal government offers solar incentives for green businesses when they convert to solar heat and air conditioning systems.  The specific program is called the Federal Solar Tax Credit. Whether your business has bought a new building or is simply considering a remodel of an existing facility it is worth considering a switch to solar energy and application for a Federal Solar Tax Credit.

Those who own or lease commercial buildings can also collect the Federal Solar Tax Credit by converting their business to solar energy, as long as the new system saves at least 50% of the building’s energy requirements. These new systems qualify for solar incentives of up to $1.80 per square foot.

Additionally, other improvements to the building which reduce its energy needs can be used to claim up to $0.60 per square foot tax credit. These improvements include changing to heating, cooling or insulation, such as replacing a furnace or putting in double-paned windows.

With the large value of solar incentives through the Federal Solar Tax Credit it is even more cost effective for businesses to convert to solar power and solar heating.  Solar power saves money in heating and cooling costs every month, and reduces the carbon footprint of the building for the benefit of the environment in general.

 Green Research Council

Technorati Tags: Business energy tax credit, Federal Solar Tax Credit, solar incentives