1. Harvesting Solar Energy in Western North Carolina Brent Summerville Western NC Renewable Energy Initiative July 2008

2. If we took all the world’s reserves of coal, oil, and gas and burned them at a rate fast enough to give us the same amount of heat we are accustomed to receiving from the sun, the supply would be entirely gone in less than three days. -Branley, F. (1957). Solar Energy

3. Learn from Nature [Augustyn, J. (1979, 2003) The Return of the Solar Car Book] “A cat sunning himself in the doorway of a barn knows all about solar energy. Why can’t man learn?” -E.B. White

4. Big Brains [Augustyn, J. (1979, 2003) The Return of the Solar Car Book]

5. New Construction? Build It Right www.wncgbc.org

6. www.dsireusa.org Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

7. Available Incentives NC State tax credit NC State tax credit Federal tax credit Federal tax credit Federal Accelerated depreciation (MACRS) Federal Accelerated depreciation (MACRS) USDA Farm Bill USDA Farm Bill Property tax exemption Property tax exemption

8. NC State Tax Credit Enacted in 2000, extended 5 years in 2005 Enacted in 2000, extended 5 years in 2005 35% of installed cost 35% of installed cost Limits Limits $1,400 – solar hot water and solar pool heating $1,400 – solar hot water and solar pool heating $3,500 – passive solar, active solar space heating, combined solar space and water heating $3,500 – passive solar, active solar space heating, combined solar space and water heating $10,500 – PV, Wind, other residential RE $10,500 – PV, Wind, other residential RE $2,500,000 – Commercial/Industrial $2,500,000 – Commercial/Industrial

9. Federal Tax Credit Part of Energy Policy Act of 2005 Part of Energy Policy Act of 2005 Set to Expire December 31, 2008 Set to Expire December 31, 2008 30% of installed cost for solar water and PV 30% of installed cost for solar water and PV Limits Limits $2,000 for solar-electric systems and solar water- heating systems $2,000 for solar-electric systems and solar water- heating systems No max – Commercial/Industrial No max – Commercial/Industrial

10. Now’s The Time! The system will cost ~$6000 installed After tax credits, your cost is only ~$3192 47% Off!

11. Combining NC and Fed Credits

12. Accelerated depreciation Federal Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS) Solar property can be depreciated in five years. Total deduction = tax rate x 85% x system cost =.34 x.85 x 80,000 = $23,120

13. NC Property Tax Exemption In addition to the tax credit, North Carolina provides for a property tax exemption for solar water heating and active space heating or cooling systems. This means that the additional value of your solar system relative to a conventional heating or cooling system is excluded in the appraisal for property tax purposes.

14. USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – Grants and Loans All applications go through our NC contact: H. Rossie Bullock, USDA RD PO Box 7426 Lumberton, NC 28359 (910) 739-3349 ext #4 rossie.bullock@nc.usda.gov The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 $55 million for FY 2009, $60 million for FY 2010, $70 million for FY 2011, and $70 million for FY 2012. $55 million for FY 2009, $60 million for FY 2010, $70 million for FY 2011, and $70 million for FY 2012. 25% grants 25% grants 75% max grant + loan 75% max grant + loan www.farmenergy.org www.farmenergy.org www.farmenergy.org

15. Goat Lady Dairy Solar thermal system = $10,000 Solar thermal system = $10,000 Federal Farm Bill grant for $2,500 Federal Farm Bill grant for $2,500 30% federal tax credit 30% federal tax credit Depreciate the system over five years Depreciate the system over five years 35-percent North Carolina corporate tax credit 35-percent North Carolina corporate tax credit Add it all up, and the $10,000 solar thermal system is costing Steve Tate less than $1,500. Add it all up, and the $10,000 solar thermal system is costing Steve Tate less than $1,500.

16. Local Installers Find a NC installer at www.greenprofessionals.org Here are a few local ones....

17. Local Installers Advanced Thermal Solutions Tomas Koenig Saluda, NC 828-749-1774 atsinc@mchsi.com www.gotsun.com atsinc@mchsi.com www.gotsun.com

18. Local Installers Appalachian Energy Services Seth Wiley Murphy, NC Toll Free (888)314-1933 Local (828) 278-2074 info@appalachiansolar.com www.WNCsolar.com info@appalachiansolar.com www.WNCsolar.com info@appalachiansolar.com www.WNCsolar.com

19. Local Installers Appalachian Energy Solutions Kent Hively Sugar Grove, NC 828-773-9762 kenthively@yahoo.com www.appalachianenergysolutions.com www.appalachianenergysolutions.comwww.appalachianenergysolutions.com

20. Local Installers Appalachian Energy Fletcher, NC 866-813-7323 info@appalachianenergy.com www.appalachianenergy.com info@appalachianenergy.com www.appalachianenergy.com

21. Local Installers Atomic Solar 165 Whirlwind Drive Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 675-9643 atomic@wnclink.com atomic@wnclink.com

22. Local Installers Blue Ridge Energy Solutions Bill Poteat Morganton, NC 800-689-8824 bresco@charter.net www.brescoltd.com

23. Local Installers FLS Energy, Inc. Dale Freudenberger Dale Freudenberger 400 Eastside Dr. Black Mountain, NC 28711 828-669-5070 FAX 828-669-5046 info@flsenergy.com www.flsenergy.com

24. Local Installers Solar Dynamics Ole Sorenson phones: 828-665-8507 and 828-231-9106 Fax 828-665-8507 ole@solardynamicsnc.com 40 Green Valley Rd. Asheville, NC 28806 www.solardynamicsnc.com

25. Local Installers Sundance Power Systems Dave Hollister Phone: 828.689.2080 Fax: 828.680.9798 925 Beauty Spot Cove Mars Hill, NC 28754 info@sundancepower.com info@sundancepower.com www.sundancepower.com

26. www.nabcep.org

27. Web Resources North Carolina Solar Center www.ncsc.ncsu.edu Florida Solar Energy Center www.fsec.ucf.edu Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency www.dsireusa.org NC GreenPower www.ncgreenpower.org USDA Farm Bill www.farmenergy.org WNC Renewable Energy Initiative www.wind.appstate.edu

28. Questions? Thanks Brent Summerville 828-262-7333wind@appstate.eduwind.appstate.edu This presentation is available at wind.appstate.edu Click on REPORTS….CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS