A Blog by WARM Training Center
Jacob
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Homepage: http://www.warmtraining.org
Posts by Jacob
Solar Calculator
Apr 26th
Here’s a handy solar calculator to help determine if you can use/afford solar electricity (PV) on your home or business. It’s just a rough calculator, but puts out some nice details, including incentives, etc.
Tax forms for energy incentives
Mar 31st
I am trying to wrap up my taxes and I want to know what form I need to include re: my new “cool roof” and insulation. Any help would be much appreciated!
– Liz, Detroit
For homes, it’s pretty straightforward, and you can find the answer here:
http://ase.org/section/_audience/consumers/taxcredits/frequently_asked_questions?tr=y&auid=5996830#forms
For commercial buildings, there isn’t a specific form, but you have to put together additional supporting documentation. Find information on how to file here: http://www.efficientbuildings.org/about_the_provision.html#01
You can also find out more from this same site, which comes from the Commercial Building Tax Deduction Coalition.
An excellent overview is available at the Tax Incentives Assistance Project.
And finally, here’s the IRS’s own site with their official overview (Notice 2006-52).
This should get you there.
Community Renewables
Mar 29th
Here’s a great article on policies being developed to share renewables on a community scale:
http://www.solartoday-digital.org/solartoday/201003#pg30
Super Insulated Walls -R30 and beyond
Mar 22nd
Here’s the latest research on the pros and cons of three major high insulation residential wall systems bear up. The structures studied include frame walls with foam sheathing, SIPs (Structurally Insulated Panels), and double walls.
For you energy efficiency and green builder geeks out there, take a look. The report is from the Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB).
Solar Incentives
Mar 15th
I’m considering adding solar panels to my home. Can you direct me to information on how t
o get started and how to pay for it?
The good news is that Solar is getting easier to tackle in Michigan, thanks to new policies from the Michigan Public Service Commission and incentives from the utilities. We’ve talked before about how to find local installers. Below is a list of incentive information and the basics on net-metering (where you get a credit from the utility for producing extra power):
Federal Incentives:
http://energytaxincentives.org/consumers/
DTE’s new Solar Currents program:
http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/productsPrograms/solarCurrents/solarCurrents.html
Consumer’s new Renewable Energy incentives:
http://www.consumersenergy.com/welcome.htm?/products/index.asp?ASID=827
Net Metering info from the MPSC:
http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,1607,7-159-16393_38274—,00.html
WARM Training’s own website:
http://www.warmtraining.org/resources/medc/
These are the five places I’d start to dig up more information. I hope this helps.