2 Comments

1. Expert Member
   Dana Dorsett | Jun 10, 2014 11:07am | #1

   Incentives are one thing, mandates another.
   CA requires all new single-family residential buildings to be net zero energy beginning in 2020, and all commercial buildings to meet that standard by 2030.

   http://www.energy.ca.gov/2011_energypolicy/documents/2011-07-20_workshop/presentations/Revised_Zero_Net_Energy_Definition.pdf

   Austin TX requires new homes to be "net zero capable" beginning in 2015:

   http://energycodesocean.org/tenplaces/Austin

   As the price of PV continues to fall, given Austin's fairly generous VOST (value of solar tariff) compensation for rooftop solar, the investment in the PV to take "net zero capable" homes to fully net-zero energy is getting into no-brainer territory. But without the mandate to provide sufficient design & solar orientation to become net-zero capable many new homes might otherwise have been locked-out of cheap-PV net-zero possibilities.

   To be sure getting to net zero energy in cool/cold climate NY is a lot tougher than in most of CA or TX, and an $8,000 cash credit to the builder isn't going to cover a significantly large fraction of the cost of getting there. But with or without incentives it's still cost effective over the long term when done with appropriately low cost methods, and the $8K is still going to be a double-digit fraction of the upgrades- good for NY!

   NY incentives for residential solar are pretty generous, with a 25% state tax credit (up to $5,000) on the gross installed costs. At ~$4/watt installation cost (typical recent pricing in neighboring NJ or MA, not sure about NY), when combined with the 30% federal tax credit it brings the net out of pocket for a 5kw system down to $9,000, (~$1.80/watt) and even that may be financed at 3.5-4%, billed via your electric bill in some instances.

   http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Energy-Efficiency-and-Renewable-Programs/Renewables/Solar-Technologies/Solar-PV-Incentive-Program.aspx

   http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Energy-Efficiency-and-Renewable-Programs/Renewables/Solar-Technologies/Solar-Photovoltaic-Financing.aspx

   In a state where the average residential retail rate is 21 cents/kwh (highest state residential rate average in the lower 48: http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_a ) this too is bordering on a no-brainer investment, at least for the first 5,000 watts of PV.

2. 
   wjrobinson | Jul 11, 2014 01:23pm | #2

   NYSERDA
   NYSERDA PV calculator says 10K system cost is $50,000. equals $1000 per panel.

   Equals $5/W

   Dana... where is the $1/W pricing? or $2/W?

   The giant rebates are getting all the schools and counties and towns around me to make Solar City and the rest Billonaires!!!!!!!!!!!

   The twenty year contracts being signed by 2 year politicians is insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   If the deal is SO good, then the towns should be installing the panels themselves putting some of the shovel leaners to work so the towns get the ENTIRE savings not just a FEW PENNIES!!!

   I am more steamed up about this CRAP than the wasted money on civic centers and trash plants and sewer systems and water systems!!!

   When the sewer bill for a year is the same cost as it costs me to install a septic... then you know group living with group "savings" is bullsh*t.

   Density of living costs more, ruins the planet as well or better than rural living period. Covering the planet with concrete filled with humans and the pocket sized pets is NOT GREEN. IT IS INSANE to think so.

   sane in the adirondacks just barely needing to move farther north
   aj