DOE to Invest up to $12 Million to Support Early Stage Solar Technologies

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Posted in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, DOE, solar, solar technology by Ryan
January 21, 2010
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From the EERE News, January 20, 2010

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will invest up to $12 million in total funding—$10 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—in four companies to support the development of early stage solar energy technologies and help them advance to full commercial scale. The goal of this effort is to help further expand a clean energy economy and make solar energy more cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity.

“Expanding the solar power industry in the United States can create new jobs, reduce carbon pollution, and save consumers money,” said Secretary Chu. “By partnering with NREL, these companies will be able to gain from their expertise, accelerate the pace of innovation and help get technologies to market faster.”

Companies awarded under DOE’s Photovoltaic Incubator Program will work with NREL to transition prototype and pre-commercial PV technologies into pilot and full-scale manufacturing. The anticipated subcontracts, up to $3 million each, will be awarded as 18-month phased subcontracts with payment made upon completion of project milestones.

Through the Recovery Act, the DOE is investing more than $117 million in developing and deploying solar energy technologies. While supporting cutting edge research and development on photovoltaics and concentrated solar power at the national laboratories, the Department is also making significant investments in training solar systems installers, supporting the growth of grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems, and the use of solar energy in U.S. cities.

The partnership projects announced today include:

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=289

Energy Efficiency Improvements Can Also Reduce Your Tax Liability

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Posted in building retrofits, energy efficiency, tax credits by Ryan
January 21, 2010
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By CAROLE FELDMAN

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Making energy efficient improvements to your home will do more than reduce your energy costs — they’ll also reduce your tax bill.

The tax credit for energy-efficient windows or doors, air conditioners or furnaces, or other energy-saving improvements disappeared in 2008, but returned for 2009 and 2010 — at an even higher value. This is one case where procrastination paid off.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, homeowners who made the improvements are eligible for a credit equal to 30 percent of the cost, up to a maximum credit of $1,500.

To get the maximum credit, a taxpayer would have to pay $5,000 on energy efficiency improvements. The previous maximum had been $500. The good news for homeowners is that they can claim the new credit even if they had taken the old one.

“You get a clean start with this one,” said Mark Luscombe, principal analyst for CCH’s tax and accounting group.

To qualify, the improvements must have been made during 2009 — or 2010 if you’re going to claim them the following year. There is no income limit for the credit, and limits on individual items are gone. That means, for example, you can claim the full credit for windows, Luscombe said.

But there’s a catch. “Homeowners should be aware that the standards in the new law are higher than the standards for the credit that was available in 2007,” the Internal Revenue Service said. The IRS cautioned that not all products that carry the Energy Department’s Energy Star label qualify.

So how do you know if the furnace or hot water heater you purchased is eligible?

It’s up to the manufacturer to certify that the product qualifies. The IRS recommends that taxpayers keep a copy of the certification statement.

Homeowners who choose alternative energy could be in for a bigger tax credit.

There’s a 30 percent tax credit with no maximum for homeowners who install solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps or small wind turbines. The credit also applies to site preparation and installation.

If you want to claim the credits, you’ll have to file Form 5695.

The tax credits for energy efficient home improvements are in addition to those for purchasing certain hybrid or alternative energy vehicles. The credit begins phasing out after the manufacturer sells 60,000 hybrids.

For 2009 model year cars, manufacturers that had hybrids still eligible for the credit are Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan and Saturn. For the 2010 model year, the list includes hybrids manufactured by Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Mercury, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan.

There are new tax credits for plug-in electric vehicles.

The credits range from $2,500 to $15,000, depending on the kind of vehicle, its weight and its battery.

Number of Net Metering Customers in Michigan More than Doubles

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Posted in DELEG, MPSC, net metering by Ryan
January 21, 2010
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MPSC Press Release – January 19, 2010

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) staff today filed its annual net metering program report, which shows that the number of net metering customers in Michigan has more than doubled from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

“The number of net metering electric customers who have added small, renewable energy electric generation projects onsite has more than doubled,” noted MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.  “That demonstrates the high interest electric customers have in producing electricity from renewable sources at their homes and businesses.”

The MPSC in May last year adopted net metering and interconnection rules for small, renewable electric generation projects onsite, as required by Public Act 295 of 2008.  The report issued today said the number of net metering customers increased from 53 in the 2007-2008 year to 137 in the 2008-2009 period.  Wind proved the most popular with the number of installations increasing from 29 to 96 during the period, while solar installations increased from 23 to 39 during the same time period.  Customers are located throughout the state.

The entire report is available on the MPSC’s Web site michigan.gov/netmetering (http://www.michigan.gov/netmetering).

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.