Don’t forget your 2009 tax credits for Green Home Improvements

by on January 13, 2010

2009 tax law changes could save millions of Americans a bundle on their taxes:

“Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, the makers of TaxACT, says all homeowners can claim tax credits for green improvements. The Residential Energy Property Credit is worth 30 percent, up to $1,500, for improvements such as adding insulation or installing energy-efficient windows, doors, or heating and air conditioning systems. Dolmage says bigger improvements involving alternative energy, like solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines can be claimed under the Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit. This credit is equal to 30 percent of [click to continue…]

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“solar has the potential to supply 90% of grid power”

by on November 6, 2008

The American Southwest has some of the greatest solar resources on the globe, it yet remains largely untapped. This trend may be changing as solar technology matures, market forces shift and concern for climate change mounts.

One of the most common arguments against large-scale use of renewable energy is that it cannot produce a steady, reliable stream of energy, day and night. Ausra Inc. does not agree. They believe that solar thermal technology has the potential to supply over 90% of grid power, while finding solutions to environmental issues [click to continue…]

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Solar cell efficiency hits a new record

November 6, 2008

The University of New South Wales’ ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence has reported the first silicon solar cell to achieve the milestone of 25 per cent efficiency.
The UNSW ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence already held the world record of 24.7 per cent for silicon solar cell efficiency. Now a revision of the international standard by [...]

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California launches first solar in 20 years

November 6, 2008

By turning a long line of mirrors, the first solar thermal plant in nearly two decades was launched last week in Bakersfield, California. Unlike solar photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight into electricity, this plant will focus sunlight on tubes that contains water. The light heats the water, creating steam, thus turning turbines.
At full capacity, Kimberlina [...]

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Selling a house? make it green before you put it on the market

October 22, 2008

There is no question that green has captured the imagination, if not the pocketbooks, of new-home buyers. But that begs another question: What can sellers of existing homes do to compete with builders for the hearts and minds of potential customers?
The answer is plenty. It’s just a matter of how much money you want to [...]

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Financial Bailout Brings Green Energy Benefits

October 22, 2008

The economic bailout package contains an assortment of benefits for consumers.
There are several new or extended tax credits to promote reduced energy use or alternative energy.
The law extends for eight years a 30 percent tax credit for homeowners who put solar panels on their roofs. Previously, the maximum credit was $2,000; that limit is removed, [...]

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solar energy system costs have been dropping

October 22, 2008

DAVID JOS has been soaking up the sun for almost a year now and, frankly, he’s becoming a bit strange.
Take his daily ritual, for instance. First, he opens his front door and makes a beeline to two metal boxes, roughly a foot square, outside of his home behind a euonymus bush. He checks the digital [...]

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Green technology still a draw

October 22, 2008

High energy prices, concerns about global warming, and an influx of venture capital are helping to insulate the state’s growing green technology sector from many of the forces battering the financial world, analysts say.
“I think it would be tough to find another sector where you could say that the fundamental market drivers are as strong, [...]

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“We want the greenest house you’ve ever designed, but we have almost no money”

October 22, 2008

THOMAS SMALL is an accomplished cook, so it’s important for him to try new and exotic ingredients every now and then. When it came to the construction of his eco-friendly house, that’s exactly what his architects gave him. After all, crushed sunflower husks and shredded blue jeans don’t sound like typical building blocks.
But in the [...]

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What exactly is a “green building?”

August 31, 2008

Green building has become a common topic in the building industry, but the term can be confusing.
Does it mean that the house is energy efficient? Or, that the roof has solar panels? Or, that all the products are made from recycled materials?
Depending on the home and the builder, the term “green building” could mean any [...]

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