(Almost) Free Solar!!! Tax credit/rebate madness!!!

Attached to the latest bailout plan passed by the Fine Folks on Capitol Hill, was an extension and amendment of the federal solar tax credit.  The tax credit is extended for an additional 8 years.  Before this renewal, there was a cap at $2000 for the tax credit.  No more!  The federal tax credit is now up to 30% and can be applied alongside other state and local incentives to go solar.

San Francisco is leading the way by encouraging homeowners and landlords to go solar.  In additon to being the first city to pass stringent green building ordinances, Gavin championed this little number below.

From dsireusa.org:

“The City and County of San Francisco, through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), are providing rebates to residents and businesses who install photovoltaic (PV) systems on their properties. Systems must be at least one kilowatt (kW) in capacity, and there is no maximum size limit to participate. There are four distinct funding levels for residential installations. First, basic installations of systems are eligible for rebates of $3,000. Residential systems installed by a local installer qualify for a higher incentive of $4,000. Residential installations in lower income and racially diverse neighborhoods considered “environmental justice districts” because of their proximity to industrial sites and major highways are eligible for an even higher incentive of $5,000. Systems installed by individuals trained through the city’s workforce development system can receive an incentive of $6,000.

Commercial, non-profit and industrial installations receive a capacity-based incentive of $1,500 per kW, up to a maximum amount of $10,000. Multi-unit residential buildings that are operated by a non-profit may receive up to $4,500 per kW (depending on the number of units) up to a maximum of $30,000.

The San Francisco rebates can be combined with the state-level California Solar Initiative, in addition to the federal tax credit. To simplify the application process, San Francisco will approve of any system which qualifies for the California Solar Initiative.

The San Francisco Solar Energy Incentive Pilot Program is funded with $3 million from the SFPUC renewable energy fund, which comes from the sale of power generated by the Hetch Hetchy dam. The renewable energy funds previously provided funding just for solar installations on city buildings, which is expected to continue with a portion of the fund.”

So, if the Fed, Sacramento, and The City are all willing to pitch in, why wouldn’t you go solar?  It increases the value of your home, decreases your dependence on carbon-emitting fossil fuels, and give your home the certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ of cool, green cache.

I happen to know a few solar outfits here in The Bay.  If you’re curious about solar for your home or office, give me a call and I can set you up with the right folks to get the ball rolling.

Ahem. Gavin writes a blog post…

A post by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom:

At this vital juncture in our country’s history, it’s clear that we must take climate change seriously. America is spending more than $200,000 per minute on foreign oil — $13 million per hour. More than $25 billion a year goes for Persian Gulf imports alone. Our dependence upon oil, especially foreign oil, affects not only our economy but our national security.

We must take real steps to end our reliance on foreign oil. At last night’s presidential debate, I was pleased to hear Senator Obama say that energy independence will be the number one priority of his administration.

We must follow words with action.

In San Francisco, we are establishing this new green economy while reducing our dependence on foreign oil, slashing the amount of greenhouse gases being released into the environment, and creating new green collar jobs.

Last week, I announced that applications for new solar installations in San Francisco have nearly quadrupled since the city’s groundbreaking solar rebate program, GoSolarSF launched in July. Ten workers have been hired to date and we expect the number to triple in the next month. With dedicated support from the next presidential administration this new green economy will take off.

Solar installation may be the most obvious component of green technology, but it is not the only sector. This new green economy also includes recycling, bicycle repair and landscaping.

San Francisco is creating and promoting green jobs, so we can ensure that the neighborhoods that were locked out of the pollution-based economy are locked in to the new green economy.

A clean energy economy will create millions of new green jobs that America desperately needs. Jobs that can’t be outsourced. Jobs that use the skills of today’s workers. Green jobs aren’t just the jobs of the future — they are the jobs of today.

Americans are ready for bold action. We can truly revitalize our economy with good green jobs, clean, renewable energy and a healthy climate. We must demand this new green economy. No more billion dollar tax breaks for the oil industry. No more drill baby drill. No more Persian Gulf oil imports. Energy independence is attainable in 10 years, but we must demand it from our leaders. We need to invest in America’s future — a green future. We need to invest in solar, wind, geothermal, wave and other green technologies. Our national security depends on it.

– Gavin Newsom