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SUN & WIND NEWSLETTER
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It's a cold, grey, windy day. Earlier the sun made a brief and glorious appearance, but now we're back to December as usual. It's hibernation time in the Pacific NorthWET. Everyone at WSW is looking forward to the Solstice and the promise of the sun's full return. Our office is officially closed from December 22 through January 4. We'll all get a little R & R and be ready to hit the ground running in 2008. Phone messages and email will be checked periodically. All of us at WSW wish you and yours a festive, love-filled, and meaningful winter holiday season and a New Year that meets and exceeds your hopes and dreams! |
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Positive Energy … Positive Changes
Whidbey Sun & Wind has been providing positive, clean, renewable energy since 2000. Keeping up with demand has been a particular challenge in recent years, as has recruiting and retaining staff. 2007, in particular, has been a rebuilding year, to use the sports vernacular. 2008 looks to be the come-back year (to belabor the sports analogy). We're well-staffed and well-trained -- ready, willing, and able.
The core staff includes Kelly, our founder and fearless leader; Lori, the Office Manager and Den Mother; Brett and Byron, Lead Installers; and Chris, system designer/project manager. We were able to entice Chris away from Chesapeake Solar in Maryland with a little help from his wife, Amellia, who was born and raised in western Washington. Chris has been here all of a month and is already proving to be a valuable addition to the WSW family.
With this full-time staff and our additional part-timers, WSW will continue to offer the same quality products and services, but with a distinct improvement in speed, efficiency, and customer service.
We're excited!
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Incentive Update
The federal government seems to be doing its best Ebeneezer Scrooge imitation with regard to renewable energy. A bill that strips the solar and wind power components of the House's comprehensive energy bill has been passed out of the Senate and signed into law. The federal tax credit was neither increased nor extended, but renewable energy lobbyists assure us they'll be visiting congressional offices in January to press for an extension of existing tax credits.
As things stand currently, the 30% tax credit with a $2000 cap for residential installations and the 30% tax credit with no cap for commercial installations extend ONLY through 2008. Businesses will also continue to benefit from accelerated 5-year depreciation of 85% of the cost of a solar hot water or solar photovoltaic system (or both). Yes, Virginia, businesses really can take both the 30% tax credit AND depreciate 85% of the cost of a system. Send your accountant to our incentive page online for links to the tax code, IRS publications, and the Solar Energy Industries Association's Guide to Federal Tax Incentives for Solar Energy.
The rate for Green Tag (Renewable Energy Credit or REC) sales will be 2 cents per kilowatt-hour beginning with contracts signed in 2008. These contracts will last for two years.
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Will we find Washington-built Solar Panels in our Stockings?
We are frequently asked when Washington-built solar modules will be available. The short answer is, we don't know. What we do know is that Silicon Energy, LLC is working hard to begin manufacturing solar panels in Washington. They have not yet begun module production, nor have they completed the lengthy certification process. Delivery of 300 Silicon Energy panels to PSE in scheduled for spring of 2008. Will they be able to deliver? We don't know. Should you wait for Washington-built modules before installing your home PV system? You'll have to decide that for yourself. We're rooting for Silicon Energy in particular and Washington-built solar modules in general, but we're also up against the potential loss of the federal tax credit while waiting for the modules to begin production.
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What About Vertical Axis Wind Turbines?
We are also frequently asked about vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) such as those manufactured by PacWind and Cleanfield.
People have been trying to use vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) for years. There are many small providers of these products to be found on the Web. However, none of these turbines has stood the test of time. The main reason is somewhat technical, but has to do with differential fatigue on the rotor from the upwind to downwind side.
We in the wind industry see new turbine designs all the time. We also see extinctions of companies and products at the same rate. WSW would love to put up one these turbines and monitor its performance. However we won't be recommending a VAWT for any of our customers until we're confident in its performance and longevity.
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Daylighting with Solatubes
Effective daylighting is an excellent conservation measure, reducing your power bills by using the sun's light to illuminate building interiors. Solatube is an Energy Star-rated tubular daylighting device (TDD) that brings an incredible amount of light indoors. The product line has recently undergone a major overhaul, making a fine product even better. Improvements include flashings for different roof surfaces, technological improvements that increase the effective daylight capturing surface, and more efficient reflective tubing and turrets. New cosmetic options include trim, diffuser, and lighting effect choices. New functional options include daylight dimmers, lighting kits, and ventilation kits. WSW sells and installs Solatubes and we ll be happy to help you select the options that best meet your needs. Solatubes can brighten your home even on our cloudy winter days. See Solatubes online at www.solatube.com.
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Shameless Commerce
We at WSW are not fans of the hard sell nor are we overmuch interested in retail. Still, the cold and windy season is upon us and one of the very few items we do retail might be useful to you right about now. If you heat with a wood stove, you can improve your heating efficiency with the Ecofan. It sits silently on top of the stove and generates its own electricity to circulate warm air. The Seebeck Effect (heat flowing across joined dissimilar semiconductors causing electron current to power electrical devices) drives the fan's motor. WSW carries 2 models of the Ecofan — the 800 ($95) & 802 ($120). We use the 802 to keep the office toasty all winter. For more information about Ecofans, visit the manufacturer website.
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