Tag Archives: Rooftop Solar

Supporting Solar

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I am entering my 11th year in the solar industry! The US has seen 33% growth in this last decade1.

As the climate becomes unpredictable, solar adoption has been on the rise.

The reasons to “go solar” are not just financial. Fossil fuels are finite, polluting resources that are burned and disposed of into our air. This has and will destabilize historical climatic conditions. Dependable energy from renewable sources, like solar, is the foresight and trend we should follow.

Storm clouds over Coastal South Carolina

Why use solar power?

  • Alternative to coal-fired power
  • Diversify our energy sources
  • Bring energy source closer to the energy consumers
  • Possibility of energy storage for emergency use
  • Quiet, clean electricity for home and transportation
  • Plug your EV into the wall outlet. Drive on full tank the next day!
  • Add value to home/property
  • Tax credits and tax forfeiture available
  • Reduce electric bills
  • Fully recoup your investment in your solar upgrade
Wave surge brought sand onto the buffer dunes.
Steps down to the beach now part of the beach!

Generating solar electricity in the community makes a lot of sense. Power is produced and used locally. Sea levels are rising and will not stop until we slow and reverse the trend.

Ask me about your solar potential and start saving money and the climate as soon as possible!

Sources:

  1. SEIA.org

Electric Co-ops in the U.S.

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There are 800 member-owned electrical co-ops in the USA. 40 million people get their power from an Electric Co-op! Principally in rural areas, these Cooperatives cover 56% of the populated land mass in the 50 states.

Rural Electric Cooperatives began in 1876. They are consumer-owned, non-profit utilities. FDR’s New Deal created work projects in the 1930s and this brought electricity to rural areas. In 1942 the rural electrical co-ops of WA State formed a coalition. To this day the WRECA represent those member co-ops in Olympia.

Metal barn roof with cool cupolas on top!

Ratepayers to the Co-ops are not customers, they are owners. They have a say in the supply of electricity. Lately these member-owners have been interested in local renewables like wind and solar. Grid resiliency and enhanced services are priorities via rural microgrid projects, and deployment of broadband (internet) service.

Sources:

  1. www.WRECA.coop
  2. https://ilsr.org/rural-electric-cooperatives

Do you own a residential rental property?

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Add this home improvement and in the long run, save money and add value.

  • Free electricity from the solar install!
  • No WA State Sales Tax
  • Exempt from Property Tax Assessment
  • A 26% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (must be installed before Dec. 31, 2022)
Detached Auxiliary Dwelling Unit (DADU) with PV array

Applicable Solar Incentives:

26% of the total solar invoice is equal to the Tax Credit. For example, a $20,000 solar install would be a $4400 Tax Credit.

Your Residential Rental property is classified as a Business, or income-generating. The 26% becomes a Line Item Credit on your tax liability. This is the same percentage amount as the Solar Tax Credit that residential homeowners enjoy. The IRS wants you to file the Tax Credit differently but the total credit percentage is the same.

Typical Wall-mounted components, incl. energy storage.

Additional Cost Recovery:

If your rental property is a qualified business then it’s likely you can depreciate, or “write off” your investment in Solar. There are limits on how much credit can be taken in a year. I can provide all of paperwork needed to pursue this. Let’s be sure and consult with your accountant first, for instruction and advice regarding this possibility. See #1 below, IRC Section 48 – Energy Credit, MACRS and Accelerated Depreciation Schedule.

References:

  1. IRC Code Section 48 
  2. Investment Credit Form 3468  
  3. Instructions, Form 3468 
  4. Adjustments to basis for Credit IRC Code Section 1016(a)(19) 
  5. IRC Section 25D for Residential Energy Efficient Property 

Summer Solstice: Go Solar & Support the Fremont Arts Council

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Considering Renewable Energy? Go solar in the summertime, and start creating copious solar power. Our state allows you to utilize bill credits, so you can enjoy summer’s bounty all year!

Mid-summer days in Washington are nearly 16 hours! Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. The holiday is celebrated in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood the weekend of June 22-23, 2019. Catch the infamous Solstice Parade on Saturday, June 22nd at 1pm.

For all solar contracts signed pre-June 22 I will be making a $50 donation to the Fremont Arts Council. They take donations, but also welcome crafty and handy volunteers at the Powerhouse Art Studio – 3940 Fremont Ave. N.

Want to support a good cause? Book your 2019 summertime solar install with me today!

Lighthouse Roasters, Fremont. Rooftop Solar Array

In the Seattle spirit, there are two solar-powered coffeehouses in Fremont now: The Fremont Coffee Company (lower Fremont) on the 400 block of N 36th St., with an install by Artisan Electric. The legendary Lighthouse Roasters (upper Fremont) coffee shop, 400 N 43rd St., went solar with NW Wind & Solar early 2019!

Here are Fremont Solstice Parade marchers and their entry that highlights Solar and Wind energy:

Solstice Parade, Fremont Fair 2017, Seattle

2019 Legislative Session – Review

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The 2019 State Legislature passed 2 new laws related to Solar. The bills promoted renewables in Washington State and sought to create greater confidence in interactions between multiple entities. Adopting solar now has its advantages, however if you must wait, a new Sales tax exemption will sweeten a solar contract drafted in 45 days or so.

The Solar Fairness Act pertains principally to Net Metering. Get credit for all the electricity you generate. Some utilities in our state had exceeded the legal threshold and therefore were under no obligation to grant credits to new participants . Now we can all interact with greater confidence. The existing state law threshold was very low. This new legislation raised it from .5% to 4% (or June 30, 2029 – whichever comes first). Here is the Solar Installer of WA’s bill digest. Way to go solar citizen lobbyists!

100% Clean Electricity Act. This ambitious 100% clean electricity mandate is a source of celebration for Governor Inslee and progressives. The framework propels a grid that uses clean renewable power. Within this law we have now established a Sales Tax exemption and a Remittance structure for various sizes of installations. See the savings on your solar contracts and invoices for the next decade. (Project must be completed by Dec. 31, 2029)

  1. Pay No Sales Tax: Solar electric systems ≤ 100kW installed after July 1, 2019. An overwhelming majority of solar projects are in this category.
  2. Partial Remittance: Solar systems over 100kW installed after Jan. 1, 2020.

Please refer to this Solar Installer of WA recap for more details on these new laws.

Solar at work!