Energy news
11.11.2011 - Solar - Better than Stocks
ILLINOIS (illinoissolar.org) -- As a homeowner who recently installed a Solar PV system on my home, I am constantly asked about my payback. My response has been and continues to be “it made me a wealthier person the day the switch was thrown”. This response flies in the face of what people expect my response to be which is “20 years” or something along those lines.
My response is based on factoring into the economics of my system the effect on my net worth. Now I had to come up with over $46,000 to finance the installation, but received $27,000 in rebates and tax credits and am left with $19,000 “tied up” in the system. Note I consider my cash “tied up” not “gone” which the concept of payback implies. I consider this money tied up in the same sense that cash is tied up in an IRA or in stocks until you sell.
10.22.2010 - The Illinois DCEO Solar & Wind Energy Rebate Program is now OPEN for Fiscal Year 2011
ILLINOIS (illinoisbiz.biz) -- The Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program is open and the Illinois DCEO has now started accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2011. Click here to download the 2011 application form. All applications must be complete, use the new 2011 form, and follow the new guidelines which you can find at the Illinois DCEO website.
The program offers incentives up to 30% of total project cost for residential and business applicants, and 50% for public sector and non-profit entities. The maximum rebate is $50,000.
There are a few to be aware of this year:
- Rebates will be limited to no more than $2.70/watt for solar photovoltaic systems and $2.40/watt for wind energy systems purchased by residential and business entities, and $4.50/watt for solar photovoltaic systems and $4.00/watt for wind energy systems purchased by public sector and non-profit entities. Otherwise, the rebates is still based on 30% of total cost for homeowners and businesses and 50% for governmental and non-profit entities, with a maximum rebate of $50,000.
- Estimated total labor hours by installer or subcontractors must be provided in application. We will also need the actual labor hours for this project provided in the completion letter.
- The spec sheet for the solar panels or wind turbine being purchased must be provided with application.
3.24.2010 - EPA Lauds Chicago's Energy Efficiency
CHICAGO (nbcchicago.com) -- Chicago 5th on list of city with the most energy efficient buildings. That’s according to the second annual ranking of cities by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Out of the 25 cities the EPA rated, Chicago came in 5th for having the most number of energy efficient buildings in the country - that's a step up from it's number six spot on the list last year.
3.2.2010 - Obama pushes home efficiency rebate
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- President Obama was stumping once again Tuesday for his plan to reimburse homeowners who invest in energy efficiency and create jobs. But the president's plan offered less money than had been previously hoped.
'It's going to be politically difficult to get this done," Obama said at a speech at Savannah Technical College in Georgia. "But it's the right thing to do."
The plan, officially known as Home Star, would give rebates of 50% up to $3,000 for energy saving purchases like new appliances, furnaces, or insulation.