City Eyes Credits for Solar Energy
Posted on: Friday, 30 September 2005, 09:00 CDT
By Sarah Garrecht Gassen, ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson already has abundant solar energy, and now city residents could get a hand to help pay for the equipment needed to use it.
Tucsonans putting solar-energy systems in new buildings, or retrofitting existing ones to make use of solar, could receive up to $1,000 in building permit credits under a plan the City Council will consider Tuesday.
In a memo sent to the council last week, Deputy City Manager Mike Letcher advises setting aside $200,000 to offset the loss of permit fees from those who take advantage of the credit.
The plan is for an 18-month trial program. Formal approval could come as soon as Sept 27.
The proposal is a response to council requests for ways to help residents increase their use of solar power.
Putting in a solar system is often more expensive initially than linking to a usual power source.
The proposal would allow those installing solar electric systems, solar domestic water and space heating or solar air conditioning to get a credit that can be applied to their building permit.
New projects would qualify for a $1,000 credit. Those retrofitting an existing building would get a building permit credit equal to the actual permit fee, up to $1,000.
Permit fees vary widely because they are based on the value of the construction project and the number of mechanical and electrical items installed.
Solar systems would have to meet a minimum electrical output standard of at least 1,500 kilowatt-hours, or 51 therms, a year to be eligible.
The $200,000 would be divided equally between new construction and existing structures.
If you go:
The City Council meets Tuesday, in a study session at 3:30 p.m. followed by a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., at City Hall, 255 W. Alameda St. The discussion of solar energy credits is not a public hearing.
* Contact reporter Sarah Garrecht Gassen at 573-4240 or sgassen@azstarnet.com.
Source: Arizona Daily Star
Related Articles
- Solar Energy Systems, LLC (SES) Announces Opening of Newark, NJ Office
- Mercury Solar Systems Completes Several New Solar Energy System Installations in the New York Metro Area
- Solar Energy Systems and Big Sue, LLC Unveil NYC's First Commercial Net Metered Solar PV System
- Federal Solar Energy System is Inaugurated
- Point Loma Nazarene University Announces Plan to Build a 450 kW Solar Energy System on Campus
- Friedman's Home Improvement Selects SolarCraft As Exclusive Contractor to Offer Customers Solar Energy Systems
- Costco Wholesale Installs Solar-Power Energy System on Roof of Lake Elsinore Warehouse Store
- Metro Nashville District Energy System Honored By International District Energy Association; System Earns Association's System-of-the-Year Award
- Italy to Help Beijing Build Solar Energy System for Olympic Village
- Major New Solar Energy Project Announced By Southern California Edison and Stirling Energy Systems, Inc.
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds