Solar energy incentives spiking in South Walton

Mary Brady/The Sun

Solar energy incentives spiking in South Walton

By Mary Brady

mary_brady@link.freedom.com

With significant state, federal and private company incentives now in place, solar energy is beginning to shine in Walton County. While citing different reasons for their choices, two local families and one organization are seizing the moment and cutting their costs on renewable energy. With incentives like these ratcheting up the savings, the rest of Florida may not be far behind them.

SAVING MONEY

Harold and Janice Floyd already have a toe in the water with solar water heating and are now preparing to take the plunge to whole house solar photovoltaic. In DeFuniak Springs, their residential system will cost less now and pay off later. April 14 saw a solar hot water system installed at the Floyds' home. With a federal tax credit and the Florida rebate, the gross cost of the Floyds' new system, $7,541, was reduced to $4,779. The payback period for most solar energy systems is three to five years. After that, these owners can expect 30 percent in annual savings, according to Tom Knighten of Solar Renewable Energy, the company that provided the installation.

"This local company (Standard Renewable Energy) had the best warranty and a good reputation in Texas. They came over here because of what Charlie Crist is doing with the rebate," said Floyd.

"They inspected the house and we had to replace a.c. ducts and tighten up the windows. They showed us where were losing energy first."

With the most recent round of incentives announced, the price estimate for the Floyds' next project - a whole house solar system --  is down 70 percent. The cost decreased from $54,000 to $14,000.

"Not having to buy any more of that Arab oil," was given by Floyd as his primary motivation for going solar.

Two other local solar projects demonstrate a wide range of applications and some compelling financial reasons for turning to the sun in challenging economic times.

"Now customers can have even more of their system paid for," said Sandy Sims, manager of public affairs for Gulf Power Company. "We provide a $1,000 incentive - the state another $500, and the federal tax credit cap has been lifted."

"Florida's solar rebate program is one of the most generous in the U.S. compared to other states where we do business," said Knighten. Prices for solar panels are down now but are expected to go back up in the third and fourth quarter of this year as federal stimulus bill funds reach local levels July 1, according to Knighten.

"This is a milestone day in Walton County as residents look for alternative energy sources like solar energy to reduce their utility bills and protect the environment," said Knighten. Staffing the Florida office of SRE, Knighten is based in Miramar Beach. SRE has installed two hot water solar systems at Eglin Air Force base and is now laying the plans to install systems in 10 more buildings there.

NO CHOICE IN FREEPORT

A local nonprofit organization's solar choice was dicatated by necessity. On April 15 the first entirely off-grid solar photovoltaic (electric) system was installed at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Bruce.

"We really had to go with this system if we wanted electricity in the Miller barn, because there is no electric service available at this remote location on the property," said Christina Scally, director of the Biophilia Center. "The grants we're applying for will hopefully allow us to expand the solar approach to other buildings."

While individual residential customers who install solar energy systems can receive a 30 percent tax credit, and a rebate from the State of Florida, companies and other organizations that break ground on renewable energy projects in the next two years can recover 30 percent of their project costs from the federal government in the form of direct grants.

"We are involved with teaching that so many aspects of the environment, not only plants, are about converting the energy of the sun. This made perfect sense for us," said Scally. With one building now capable of generating its own energy for lights, computers, fans and a fridge completely off the grid, Scally hopes that grant and other funds can be found to pay for a solar photovoltaic system for the educational center's other buildings as well. Presently, a solar thermal panel is in the plans for "Turtletown," to power a water pump for the exhibit featuring live turtles.

HOT WATER IN SEAGROVE

The third project nearing completion is construction and final wiring of a do-it-yourself solar water heating system in at the home of a South Walton retiree.

"I'm a firm believer in the use of alternative energy," said Tom McGee, a Seagrove resident.

Utilizing a donated water heater tank to store the hot water, an existing greenhouse to contain the equipment, and a fair amount of sweat equity to research and put it all together, McGee estimates that his budget for the project, including electrical and plumbing fees, was under $2,000. His current goal with this project is simply to reduce his electric bill by 30 percent. However, he is watching the horizon for rapid developments that will signal it is time to expand to solar heating for the entire home.

 "If we can sell energy back to the electric company, it will make these systems affordable," said McGee. "The Obama administration is going to make the incentives better, and the technology is advancing rapidly."

The trend toward solar is growing nationwide, with federal stimulus dollars already providing new incentives. On April 22, Miami's mayor announced development of a "smart grid" system to be funded with stimulus dollars that he says will incorporate solar alternatives, reduce energy consumption and create jobs. For individual homeowners and businesses, the incentives cut installation expenses while offering continuing savings down the road. Some companies even offer financing.

The $5 million budget approved for Florida renewable energy rebates in 2008-2009 has already been exhausted, with applicants placed on a waiting list. Charlie Crist has requested $4.4 million to honor the rebate requests of those on the waiting list, as has been done for the past three years. In July, an additional $5 million will be available for 2009-2010.

ON THE WEB

More about tax breaks and rebates:

http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/solar.htm

More about the solar revolution:

http://www.alternet.org/story/136152/a_solar_revolution_may_be_coming_to_your_town

Companies and costs involved in solar energy:

www.sre3.com

www.gulfpower.com

www.enerworks.com