Sustaining a healthy development of renewable energy?

BY DAVID SAWCHAK,

contributing writer

What is needed to sustain a healthy development of renewable energy? In a single word “education.” One of the problems that the renewable energy industry suffered in the 1980s was a lack of standards and guidelines for equipment and installation. The good news is that it appears we have learned from our past mistakes.

Established equipment standards are offered. In fact, one of the requirements for the newly extended Federal Energy Tax Credit is that the solar collectors installed must be SRCC certified. The Solar Ratings and Certification Corporation (SRCC) is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is the development and implementation of certification programs and national rating programs for solar energy equipment. If you go to www.solar-rating.org you will find a list of all certified solar collectors sold in the United States and their certified energy output.

In addition, SRCC offers a system rating called OG300. With this rating, not only are the solar collectors required to meet a minimum standard but so are all the components that make up the solar water heating system. Some states require that any system installed in their jurisdiction carry an OG300 rating. In addition to OG300 rating, it is very important to know the type of system you are installing and if it is suitable for the climatic conditions imposed upon it. In certain areas, freeze protection and high temperature control are two issues that if not addressed can decimate a system.

Design and installation are two areas that unfortunately lack proper standards and regulations in most states. There are a few states that require a company to hold a solar contractors license in order to install solar electric (PV) and solar thermal systems, Florida and California are two of these. The solar energy field is a little different than most. An installation company must know and abide by standard installation practice in plumbing, electrical, HVAC and roofing. An organization called the National Association of Board Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is trying to become the nationally recognized certifier of solar thermal and PV in the United States. They offer a test twice a year for those interested in becoming NABCEP certified. Their efforts are beginning to pay off. Some large commercial projects and many state funded projects require that the installer be NABCEP certified. Manufacturers have taken the forefront and require that a company be factory trained and/or certified to install their products. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) also offers training and certification on solar PV systems.

Solar energy:  Reality or passing fad?

The theme of going green rebounds again. But is it here to stay? For those of you that remember, back in the 80s, the renewable energy industry experienced a period of robust growth in the United States. Then, in 1985, not only did the federal tax credits for renewable energy end, but the U.S. economy was in one of the worst recessions it had seen in over 60 years. Those two factors all but decimated the industry.

In 2005, rumor had it that “renewables” were coming back. Then in 2006, in the EPAact, the U.S. created the first residential tax credits for solar energy in over 20 years, and significantly expanded the commercial tax credits. The 30% solar energy investment tax credit started January 1, 2006.  The 109th Congress through the end of 2008 recently has extended it, and the climate in Congress appears to indicate that it will be extended for another eight years. Individual states are not waiting for the federal government. Instead, they are enacting their own legislation. California is leading the way.

In 2006 it passed the California Solar Initiative on January 12th and the Million Solar Roofs Bill on August 21st. These programs target installing 3,000 MW of electricity capacity in the next 10 years. The program is funded at $3.35 billion over 11 years. Among other things, it mandates that solar systems are a standard option for all new homeowners. Additionally, it requires the states municipal utilities to create their own solar rebate programs totaling $800 million in rebates.

In 2006, eight other states created programs that expanded incentives or required the use of solar as part of their renewable portfolio standard. The state of Oregon recently increased their 35% state tax credit to 50% of eligible renewable project costs (up to $20 million). Recent laws in over a dozen states mandate that owners of solar electric system get credit for the excess power they produce. To see what incentives your state offers, go to www.dsireusa.org.

Unlike the 1980s, the resurgence of renewable energy in the United States is being driven by elements in addition to federal and state incentives. Spiraling gas and oil prices, the polluted environment, global warming and strangling ties to oil rich countries that support terrorism are just a few. Other countries in the world have left the United States in the dust when it comes to developing renewable energy and the American people don’t like it.                    

David Sawchak installed his first solar system in 1975. Since then he has installed over 3,000 systems. Sawchak has guest lectured at colleges and universities, both nationally and internationally. He has designed and conducted certification seminars for major manufactures in U.S. He consults with businesses that want to enter the solar business covering sales, installation and design. Currently Sawchak is contracted with Schuco-USA.