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12.07.2012
Tell Congress to Expedite Renewable Energy
Tell Congress to Expedite Renewable Energy
Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
12.06.2012
The North American PPA Market Is Recovering and Getting Ready for Massive Changes | PVGroup
The North American PPA Market Is Recovering and Getting Ready for Massive Changes | PVGroup
The feed-in tariff (FIT), which is popular in Europe, has led many solar PPA firms there to sell energy directly to local utilities. In North America, solar PPA providers have focused on residential and enterprise users, and are just starting to sell to utilities. The main benefit of a solar PPA for North American enterprises is saving money relative to utility rates, without a large capital expenditure for a PV system. The electricity rates from solar PPA vendors are comparable to the rates from utilities — from all sources.
Gartner estimates that major North American solar PPA vendors have over 400 megawatts (MW) of PV systems under management. This market is still evolving, and the relative positions of the vendors will continue to change. SunEdison is currently the largest PPA vendor in North America. Gartner forecasts the North American market for PV solar systems under a PPA contract or a FIT contract will reach 2.9 gigawatts (GW) in PV generation capacity in 2013, for an estimated $8 billion in capital expenditure.
The PPA market and the key players have naturally divided into the three main market segments of utility, enterprise and residential. Each of these segments has different requirements for the solar PPA vendors serving them with respect to the sales and financing process. Due to the relatively high cost of PV systems, these markets and their solar PPA vendors are dependent upon incentives from the federal, state or provincial, local governments as well as from individual utilities.
No one business model has yet to prove itself in the market, with PPA providers experimenting with full service offerings and going all the way to completely outsourced models. However, there is a trend toward outsourcing more and more activities.
Gartner estimates that major solar PPA vendors have over 400 megawatts of PV systems under management in North America, as of June 2010. Figure 1 shows the top 5 PPA contract vendors account for half of the fleet of PV systems under management. The market is still evolving and thus continues to show volatility in the rankings; so we expect to see this evolve significantly over the next year.
Figure 1. Top 5 Solar PPA Vendors, North American PV Energy Contracts Under Management (Megawatts)
Source: Gartner (June 2010)
Challenges and Opportunities
In the near to midterm, Gartner expects the solar PPA market to remain extremely competitive and volatile. After obtaining financing, execution will be the most critical issue for most solar PPA firms. Key differentiators include:
- Finance — The most critical differentiator.
- Project Development and Sales — Since no solar PPA firm can have a sales force that covers all opportunities, this requires a clear direct sales and channel management strategy.
- Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) — An effective EPC arm or set of partners will become an increasingly important factor as pricing becomes even more competitive.
- Operations & Maintenance (O&M) — Will determine the profitability of projects in the long term
- Technology — Once a firm has a set of bankable PV partners, the focus here turns to how to ensure that the long term performance of their systems meets stated goals.
- The core utility market remains ambivalent about the purchasing model it will use for solar systems. The tendency currently appears to be a mix of purchase and energy contracts. Yet as the model expands across the USA, utilities may tend to buy PV systems to ensure they are under their utility commission’s asset rules.
- California has been the core market to date, but the incentive structure for large commercial PV systems from the California Solar Initiative has recently been reduced to the point where few firms will offer PPA contracts to commercial, municipal or non-profit entities. PPA contract vendors will focus their resources in other states or the utility market, since they can get better returns in those markets.
- Traditional energy industry firms, particularly independent power producers are increasing their presence in the market. Due to their scale of operations and access to internal funds, they may increasingly win projects on a national and international scale.
SEMI PV Group - The Grid, August 2010
Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
Solar Tax Credit Information provided by St Louis Renewable Energy
Tax Credits |
An investment tax credit provides a direct reduction in a taxpayer's tax liability for a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing a solar energy system. Historically, federal and state governments have used tax credits as one of the predominant tools to encourage renewable energy development. Although solar tax credits are typically federal- and state-level policies, municipal governments that impose income, franchise or other similar taxes can consider credits or exemptions to encourage solar adoption.
Tax credits are fairly easy to administer compared with other financial incentives and may be more politically viable than cash payments because they do not require an annual appropriation. If tax credits are successful in expanding markets, they can ultimately result in a net gain in public revenue. One of the weaknesses often attributed to tax incentive policies is that entities without tax liability, such as government agencies, non-profits and schools, are not eligible for the incentive despite their increasing interest in utilizing solar technologies. In addition, system owners or investors with limited state tax burdens may not be able to take full advantage of state tax credits. In recent years, third-party system ownership combined with power-purchase agreements[1] and other financing models have helped mitigate these obstacles.
Although state tax credits may not be the primary motivating factor influencing purchasing decisions, they may help "seal the deal". This policy option can be especially helpful in states where public benefits funds or other direct funding sources are not available.[2] A few states also offer small production tax credits for solar, though these credits are typically very modest and are not major drivers of solar development.
Footnotes
[1] A third-party business or investor installs and owns a solar system on a host customer's property and sells the power produced by the system to the host customer for a set period. The third-party investor utilizes the tax credits and benefits available for the solar system (e.g. tax credits, rebates). These power-purchase agreements are often used by entities that cannot utilize the tax credits, entities that prefer not to own and maintain a system , or entities that lack financial capital to purchase equipment.
[2] Case Studies on the Effectiveness of State Financial Incentives for Renewable Energy, Susan Gouchoe, Valerie Everette, and Rusty Haynes (NC Solar Center). National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL/SR-620-32819. 2002.
State: | Federal |
Incentive Type: | Corporate Tax Credit |
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: | Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Municipal Solid Waste, CHP/Cogeneration, Solar Hybrid Lighting, Hydrokinetic Power (i.e., Flowing Water), Anaerobic Digestion, Small Hydroelectric, Tidal Energy, Wave Energy, Ocean Thermal, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels, Microturbines, Geothermal Direct-Use |
Applicable Sectors: | Commercial, Industrial, Utility, Agricultural |
Amount: | 30% for solar, fuel cells, small wind and PTC-eligible technologies;* 10% for geothermal, microturbines and CHP* |
Maximum Incentive: | Fuel cells: $1,500 per 0.5 kW Microturbines: $200 per kW Small wind turbines placed in service 10/4/08 - 12/31/08: $4,000 Small wind turbines placed in service after 12/31/08: no limit All other eligible technologies: no limit |
Eligible System Size: | Small wind turbines: 100 kW or less (except unlimited for PTC-eligible wind)* Fuel cells: 0.5 kW or greater Microturbines: 2 MW or less CHP: 50 MW or less* Marine and Hydrokinetic: 150 kW or greater (as defined by PTC eligibility) |
Equipment Requirements: | Fuel cells, microturbines and CHP systems must meet specific energy-efficiency criteria |
Authority 1: | 26 USC § 48 |
Authority 2: | Instructions for IRS Form 3468 |
Authority 3: | IRS Form 3468 |
Note: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allows taxpayers eligible for the federal renewable electricity production tax credit (PTC)* to take the federal business energy investment tax credit (ITC) instead of taking the PTC for new installations. The eligible technologies listed above reflect this allowance in that they include PTC-eligible technologies/resources such as landfill gas and wave power that are now eligible for the ITC. Please see the DSIRE PTC summary for further information regarding eligibility.
The federal business energy investment tax credit available under 26 USC § 48 was expanded significantly by the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424), enacted in October 2008. This law extended the duration -- by eight years -- of the existing credits for solar energy, fuel cells and microturbines; increased the credit amount for fuel cells; established new credits for small wind-energy systems, geothermal heat pumps, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems; allowed utilities to use the credits; and allowed taxpayers to take the credit against the alternative minimum tax (AMT), subject to certain limitations. The credit was further expanded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enacted in February 2009.
In general, credits are available for eligible systems placed in service on or before December 31, 2016:
- Solar. The credit is equal to 30% of expenditures, with no maximum credit. Eligible solar energy property includes equipment that uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool (or provide hot water for use in) a structure, or to provide solar process heat. Hybrid solar lighting systems, which use solar energy to illuminate the inside of a structure using fiber-optic distributed sunlight, are eligible. Passive solar systems and solar pool-heating systems are not eligible.
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12.01.2012
Solar Lease Systems Home or Business
Solar Lease Systems Home or Business
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Here is my first reply from the company using a friends house while I'm working we are determining what will work best on my warehouse/office building.
"Scotty,
Here is what it looks like for
On the 27 panels we have two lease options:
No Money down with annual payment of $662 with savings of $744 a year. Purchase in 6 years for $2,000.00
Pre-Paid lease. Pay $1,654 when installed in 90 days. No annual payments for 5 years. Purchase in 6 years for $700.00.
Either way it works great for her, but the pre-paid is a better deal. Again, she doesn’t have to have that money until it is built and ready to be turned on. That’s 90-120 days down the road.
Let talk about it tomorrow morning when you can."
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Breaking News: St Louis Solar $00.00 Zero Money Down
Breaking News: I now offer Solar Systems for your Home with $00.00 ZERO Costs to You. It is called a Solar Lease Program and Available to Home Owners and Commercial Buildings for the St Louis Area!!!
Why Pay Ameren UE when you can get paid by the Sun?
Free Green Estimates with detailed Income Producing Financial Statements
or Call 314.669.5598
Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
11.30.2012
Fake or Real Xmas Trees- Green or Not
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11.28.2012
First Floor Ceiling Joist Reinforcement-Benton Project
On the Benton Project we found that the Structural Lumber was in good shape for the most part on this stage of the building project. During the Design Build Demo we removed a staircase that did not meet current building codes and because the area was not framed to current build techniques for proper structural support
Notes:
removed the stair case- and carefully supported the area during with adjustable 'House Jacks'
We added additional Support Joists and Joist Hangers for the ceiling and floor
Added 3/4 in plywood on the floor
Built a Laundry Room in place of 1/2 of the Removed Stair Way. Note 2- The Front Wall of the Laundry Room now supports the Area where the Ceiling Joists needed extra support see photo below.
Because all the 2nd Floor Plumbing, 2nd Floor Laundry Room, was located directly above this Area we ran all the pipes, exhaust vents, etc in the Lowered Ceiling of the 1st Floor Laundry Room and Bathroom Stack Wall.
removed the stair case- and carefully supported the area during with adjustable 'House Jacks' |
We added additional Support Joists and Joist Hangers for the ceiling and floor |
Support Joists and Joist Hangers |
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See More of the
Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series
Part 1: History
Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization
Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes
Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room
Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project
See More of the
Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series
Part 1: History
Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series
Part 1: History
Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series
Part 1: History
Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization
Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes
Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room
Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project
Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
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