Tesla has not always had an easy time breaking new ground in the electric roadster market. There have been plenty of hiccups along the way, and it doesn’t help that their first production vehicle costs well north of $100,000. That is, unless you live in Colorado.

The state best known for its snowy peak and undefeated football team (boooo Broncos) also offers a substantial tax break on all hybrid and electric vehicles. For the Tesla Roadster, that amounts to an amazing $42,000 off of the $109,000 car.

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He’s right… that kind of cost-benefit analysis doesn’t really work. If you’re going to put up tens of thousands of dollars for a wind system (or a solar energy system), you probably want to see a return on that investment in years, rather than in decades. I got so interested in the topic that I wrote a post about things you should consider before putting your money down on a renewable energy system at SUNfiltered. Wind energy systems have their own requirements, so here are a few of the things you’ll want to take into consideration.

Will wind energy work on my property?

As with any renewable resource, some areas are better than others for home wind energy. Some of the questions you’ll need answers for include

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Editors Note: This is a guest contribution from the Lieutenant Governor of California, John Garamendi.

As a lifelong Central Valley rancher, I know all too well that our food supply and energy demands are interconnected. When California faced record high gas prices last summer, my small ranch felt the impact when we received bills for transportation costs.

Our state’s seemingly yearly succession of droughts, a phenomenon predicted by current understandings of climate change, have forced me to cut back on production, impacting my family, my employees, and the local community.

Those of us who work on the land are often the first to recognize that global economic and ecological shifts have an impact on the local level, and yet, it is often on the local level where we can have the greatest global impact.

The Commission for Economic Development, which I chair, released its annual report this week, offering economic development strategies for California lawmakers as they pursue policies that can best help promote new employment in California. After extensive meetings with commission members and stakeholders, and after a thorough examination of the final report, I am convinced that California should consider the creation of targeted tax incentives for small green businesses that can deliver on the creation of new green collar employment opportunities for Californians.

The need to offer incentives to start-up and small green businesses is clear. President Barack Obama’s stimulus package calls for doubling our nation’s renewable energy capacity in three years.

Plenty of manufacturing and installation jobs will be available as a result of this plan, and combined with California’s commitment to reducing our state’s emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, the introduction of targeted tax incentives for green businesses will help create and cultivate innovative companies in a state desperately in need of new employment. With California facing a 10.1 percent unemployment rate, the highest in over a quarter century, we must attract businesses that will employ locally and have a sustainable long-term vision, substantially increasing our net tax revenue potential in the process.

When I visited the World Ag Expo last month in Tulare, I discovered “Green Boxes,” a product manufactured by a local start-up called EnergyRecyclers. Nominated one of the Top 10 New Products of 2009 by the World Ag Expo, the Green Boxes optimize the energy usage of industrial equipment, leading to a cost savings for the producer or farmer while simultaneously reducing demand on California’s strained energy grid and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

EnergyRecyclers is the type of company California must continue to attract and nurture if we hope to remain as competitive in the 21st century as we were in the 20th century. California’s innovation did not come through luck but through the mutual willingness of the public and private sectors to invest in our economic and educational infrastructure. Our leadership in stem cell research and Internet technologies came about in part through sound state investments. It’s time for us to think outside the box (or perhaps think inside the Green Box), get people back to work, and continue to accelerate the Golden State’s green transformation.

Do you want to get paid for saving energy? If so, then you won’t want to miss this all important webinar that covers a host of incredibly useful information for home owners and builders. Organized by Treehugger Consulting, reserve your seat now as space is limited.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/861707592

Tree Hugger Consulting presents “Green Building Incentives 2009: Where and How to Get Them.” This webinar will cover tax credits and rebates available for energy saving building techniques and materials in the United States.  Where to find them, what to do to get them, and how to apply and receive them.

Both commercial and residential buildings will be covered.  Applicable projects include new construction, remodels, additions, and some building repairs.

Homeowners, building owners, designers, and contractors are all welcome to learn more about how to get paid for saving energy.

The webinar is scheduled for an hour and a half to allow plenty of time for questions.  The cost is $20.00.  After the registration form is complete, you will be directed to our secure PayPal site.  A confirmation email with the webinar details will be sent to you after payment is confirmed.  If you do not receive the confirmation email within two (2) business days, please send an email to treehuggerconsulting@comcast.net.

Title: Green Building Incentives 2009: Where and How to Get Them

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009

Time: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM PDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements

PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

If you have any questions regarding the webinar, please contact Dawn Killough at treehuggerconsulting@comcast.net.

Treehugger Consulting’s Dawn Killough is a regular contributor to Green Building Elements. Click here for a complete list of her informative and interesting articles.

Click here to learn more about Treehugger Consulting.

Plenty of manufacturing and installation jobs will be available as a result of this plan, and combined with California’s commitment to reducing our state’s emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, the introduction of targeted tax incentives for green businesses will help create and cultivate innovative companies in a state desperately in need of new employment. With California facing a 10.1 percent unemployment rate, the highest in over a quarter century, we must attract businesses that will employ locally and have a sustainable long-term vision, substantially increasing our net tax revenue potential in the process.

When I visited the World Ag Expo last month in Tulare, I discovered “Green Boxes,” a product manufactured by a local start-up called EnergyRecyclers. Nominated one of the Top 10 New Products of 2009 by the World Ag Expo, the Green Boxes optimize the energy usage of industrial equipment, leading to a cost savings for the producer or farmer while simultaneously reducing demand on California’s strained energy grid and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

EnergyRecyclers is the type of company California must continue to attract and nurture if we hope to remain as competitive in the 21st century as we were in the 20th century. California’s innovation did not come through luck but through the mutual willingness of the public and private sectors to invest in our economic and educational infrastructure. Our leadership in stem cell research and Internet technologies came about in part through sound state investments. It’s time for us to think outside the box (or perhaps think inside the Green Box), get people back to work, and continue to accelerate the Golden State’s green transformation.

Perhaps these conditions will encourage innovation. Here are some tactics for solar companies to weather the storm in the short-term:

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After a long stalemate in Congress, a renewal of the 30% investment tax credit for solar installations finally passed as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. Applicable for both businesses and residential projects, the credit applies through 2016. In addition, a rebate from the California Solar Initiative covers another 20-25% of the cost.

Of course, solar isn’t for everyone. According to Solar Santa Monica, a city-run program that assists those looking to reduce energy use and reliance on fossil fuels, ideal candidates have:

• An electricity bill of at least $100/month
• 200 square feet of ground or roof space to house the installation
• Southern exposure, including Southeast or Southwest
• 6-8 hours of direct exposure daily

If this sounds like you, now may be the time to investigate the move to a sun-powered home.

Plenty of manufacturing and installation jobs will be available as a result of this plan, and combined with California’s commitment to reducing our state’s emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, the introduction of targeted tax incentives for green businesses will help create and cultivate innovative companies in a state desperately in need of new employment. With California facing a 10.1 percent unemployment rate, the highest in over a quarter century, we must attract businesses that will employ locally and have a sustainable long-term vision, substantially increasing our net tax revenue potential in the process.

When I visited the World Ag Expo last month in Tulare, I discovered “Green Boxes,” a product manufactured by a local start-up called EnergyRecyclers. Nominated one of the Top 10 New Products of 2009 by the World Ag Expo, the Green Boxes optimize the energy usage of industrial equipment, leading to a cost savings for the producer or farmer while simultaneously reducing demand on California’s strained energy grid and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

EnergyRecyclers is the type of company California must continue to attract and nurture if we hope to remain as competitive in the 21st century as we were in the 20th century. California’s innovation did not come through luck but through the mutual willingness of the public and private sectors to invest in our economic and educational infrastructure. Our leadership in stem cell research and Internet technologies came about in part through sound state investments. It’s time for us to think outside the box (or perhaps think inside the Green Box), get people back to work, and continue to accelerate the Golden State’s green transformation.

According to the survey, which polled 800 registered voters about how important certain features would be in their decision to build a green home or remodel their current home to be more green, 64% said that energy efficiency would be the most important feature, the healthier environment of green homes came in second at 55%, and 49% percent believed it would be the right thing to do for the environment.

Home builders and designers who can provide energy efficient homes will have a better chance of surviving the recent housing slump.  While general home sales are down, recent studies have shown that the sale of green homes is remaining steady.  Green houses also tend to be worth more.

The one concern most consumers have is the cost of green homes.  While tax credits and rebates help, home owners should be looking at the long term benefits of owning green.  With lower energy and maintenance costs over time, the additional premium is worth it.  Also, as technology and building techniques evolve, construction costs will come down.

In today’s volatile fuel market, energy efficient buildings are going to be all the rage, and delivering quality homes at a reasonable price will help many builders rise above the slumping market.

Plenty of manufacturing and installation jobs will be available as a result of this plan, and combined with California’s commitment to reducing our state’s emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, the introduction of targeted tax incentives for green businesses will help create and cultivate innovative companies in a state desperately in need of new employment. With California facing a 10.1 percent unemployment rate, the highest in over a quarter century, we must attract businesses that will employ locally and have a sustainable long-term vision, substantially increasing our net tax revenue potential in the process.

When I visited the World Ag Expo last month in Tulare, I discovered “Green Boxes,” a product manufactured by a local start-up called EnergyRecyclers. Nominated one of the Top 10 New Products of 2009 by the World Ag Expo, the Green Boxes optimize the energy usage of industrial equipment, leading to a cost savings for the producer or farmer while simultaneously reducing demand on California’s strained energy grid and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

EnergyRecyclers is the type of company California must continue to attract and nurture if we hope to remain as competitive in the 21st century as we were in the 20th century. California’s innovation did not come through luck but through the mutual willingness of the public and private sectors to invest in our economic and educational infrastructure. Our leadership in stem cell research and Internet technologies came about in part through sound state investments. It’s time for us to think outside the box (or perhaps think inside the Green Box), get people back to work, and continue to accelerate the Golden State’s green transformation.

With many cities experiencing a real estate “slump”, homeowners around the country are looking for ways to stand out from the slew of homes on the market, while improving their home’s resale value. Other homeowners are planning for the future: a future of ever-rising energy prices.

Regardless of your situation, you may be asking yourself if green home improvements increase the home’s value. The answer isn’t as straight-forward as some might hope.

The old rules still apply…

Before we dive in, there are a few things to consider when thinking about making home improvements – green or not. First, remember the three rules of real estate: location, location, location. The return on your investment will depend on the value of your house and others in the neighborhood, as well as your local housing market. Other factors like the quality of the workmanship, and how soon you move after making the improvements weigh in as well.

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Many businesses are putting the sun to work for them and saving a bundle on utility bills. While much of the country is experiencing increasing energy costs, some are looking to the sun as a solution.

Although nearly all solar applications will eventually save money, a large upfront investment is required. Some businesses are in the position to save a lot more money than others. Let’s explore which businesses can benefit the most from solar energy.

Use Large Quantities of Hot Water

Solar thermal technology is utilized to heat water and is frequently an impressive 70-90% efficient. Restaurants, gyms, apartment buildings, and laundromats are examples of ideal applications. Exactly the opposite of a gas or electric hot water heater, the more use the solar system gets, the larger the energy and cost savings.

Businesses Paying High Tax Rates

Two federal incentives exist to encourage solar installations. One is a federal tax credit of 30% that is set to expire at the end of the year (link). The tax credit is not affected by the tax rate. Businesses can also take an accelerated 5 year depreciation of the solar system. Businesses that pay a higher tax rate, will enjoy greater the tax savings from an accelerated depreciation, while businesses that don’t need additional write-offs won’t save a penny.

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