Federal Solar Tax Credits Lifted and Extended....

The $2,000 dollar limit on Fed tax credits has been lifted for residential solar and commercial
solar added to homes and businesses after January 2009. For California, adding the utility rebates mandated by the California Department of Energy, this can only be called a solar
WINDFALL.

In Real Estate, everything to do with property is location, location, location. When we talk
Renewable Energy, it's always been about timing, timing, timing. Because the cost of the
solar investment on a 3 bedroom/2 bath home, can easily run between $35,000 to $40,000.
This is generally considered a pretty tough sale in any economic climate. But today, when
homeowners are looking for ways to get their hands on cold, hard cash. Financing a system
over 5, or 10 years, or more, using an equity line to get back say $15,000 in cash within
say 60 days, cutting their utility bills, adding value to their homes, all seems to make some
sense. All this while they and we in the industry, do our parts to cut our dependency on
our countries oil reserves, helping maybe to stop a war or two, fighting or meeting the new
state emission standards, all make good sense.

One of the most harmful things for the fledgling renewable industry has been the starting and
then stopping of the incentives that have made these projects feasible to the homeowner or
business owner. I'm speaking of local programs, utility weatherization programs, zero interest
loan programs, utility rebate and state and federal rebate or tax credit programs. All the
stopping and starting confuses the purchasers and when purchasers or investors are confused
they do what I do...nothing. At least nothing, until they have the time and energy to figure
it all out, themselves.

My name is Al Boek, (Pronounced BECK) I am the founder of a company called American Energy Conservation Group, est 1981. I am a pioneer in the renewable energy, conservation
and solar generation business. Yes, good for you, if you noticed, we were not selling solar PV
in the earlier days, pre 90's, but solar DHW (stands for Domestic Hot Water Heating Systems)
Our systems, were the more effective, less expensive, less exciting, but more profitable (for the homeowner) wicked step-sister of the solar industry. Why the most cost-effective type of solar
you can buy, until now, before the programs I mentioned above? A thermal solar system
collector is about 85% effective compared to a solar cells, 18-19% effectiveness. Now there
are exceptions to this rule, I'm being told, but for now, say 90% of the solar PV you might be
offered or purchase today is in that range.

So, It becomes more cost-effective to add conservation measures first, solar domestic hot water
systems next, including space, spa, pool and hot water heating for showers, then add the
properly sized solar electric system to handle the remaining electric or gas utility bill.

The larger solar manufactures and distributors what you to ignore the above published facts.
Solar rebates, Fed Tax Credits, higher home values, and lower utility bills...DO NOT CHANGE
THE FACTS...

One guy on Pickens Plan actually calls PV Solar Electric the SUV of the Renewable industry..because the energy used to make the products and the cost and size of the investment,
do not in anyway, except when they pay for most of it for you, make the systems install more cost-effective then the addition of sound, proven conservation and DHW solar additions.

So...Let me start by saying it again and again...

Creating Nega Watts..That's where it is. It is much more cost-effective...(a word you'll here used alot in the renewable energy business) more cost-effective to save a watt of energy or a therm of
gas...than to produce a new one.

So all you solar electric "want-ta-be's" out there listen up.

If you go out to a business or home....do a solar site survey...check out the customers current utility bills, pitch them on tax credit and rebates and sell them a solar electric system...without
doing some of the following ...You have just put the renewable energy horse before the carriage.

Total energy audit...check all current conservation, venting, heating and cooling methods...

Recommend improvements as needed....new windows, added insulation, water and lighting saving suggestions, weather stripping, caulking and new doors, ceiling fans, whole house fans
solar tubes for natural lighting in that dark bathroom or hall ways...new water heaters, or
regular maintenence...Not just a recommendation they do it....give them an estimate and
sub contract out the work, for God's sake...do whats right for our industry and the customer.

This total love and concern for your customer will pay big big dividends for your companies and you. Why? Because it proves you give a good GD. Try it, you'll like it..

By the way, I can earn more profit, doing it right, conservation then solar DHW then and only then, solar electric then you can make doing just solar electric....the fun and flashy solar.

DOUBLE YOUR PROFIT...DOUBLE YOUR FUN

Picken's Plan Member Reminds Me...It's Time To Kick Our Alternative Energy Programs Into Gear

I've been asked, is the McCain Supporter in the picture me? No...I do admit, I've been active in the race, but my support, and I make no apologizes, is for Senator Barrack Obama. Why?

He was the first to come out with a total, comprehensive renewable energy plan. As with several
of Obama's platforms, energy Independence was something that McCain morphed into after Obama introduced it....

Obama was the first to suggest we take energy tax dollars away from big oil and redirect it to
Alternative Energy. Obama has promised $10 Billion a year to the effort. High gas prices, our
policies in other countries toward their oil reserves and our thirst for foreign oil along with the
loss of life and our countries treasure demand it. Ok....enough about politics....

Global Warming...Like it or not. Believe it or not. Intensive emission standards are already in the works for California and the rest of the nation....These new state mandated programs require cities throughout the state to set new local standards and goals to reduce emissions in their cities and start adding these new requirements in a aggressive manner....Public Transportation, City planning, Waste and Pollution all must be addressed. This coupled
will extensions of the Solar Credits for 8 more years, the bailout dollars extended to the industry and other incentives is creating a industry in California which should create a climate for
renewables that far exceeds the needs of the early eighties, and should create ten of thousands
of new Green jobs in every state in the Union.

There are many ways someone interested in the renewable energy field can make their mark...I
personally will go the time tested way. It is what has worked for me in the past, it is what worked for my customers and my suppliers.