On, Wisconsin! Sales Tax Exemption for Renewables

How's this for progressive? Starting in July 2009, wind, solar, and anaerobic digester systems will be exempt from sales and use tax in the State of Wisconsin.

To be eligible, a system must produce at least 200 watts of alternating current or 600 British thermal units per day. Even most small residential systems should have no trouble meeting these requirements.

But don't try to take it to illogical extremes. The sales tax exemption does not extend to "receipts from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of electricity or energy" you may receive as a result of owning your system.

Stimulus Bill Good News for Solar Thermal

Whatever your opinion of the latest government bailout plan, it's good news for you if you're thinking about investing in a solar water heating system for your home. A provision in last week's stimulus package lifts the $2,000 cap on tax incentives for residential solar hot water.

Homeowners are now eligible for a full 30% federal tax credit on solar thermal installations, regardless of the total cost of the system.

After weeks of working only for a few hours on good weather days, and fighting defective and incorrect parts, AL Henricks solar water heater is piped in, pressure checked, and ready to fill with glycol water mix.

First there must be power available for the pumps, so the glyol does not stagnate and degrade in the collectors. As soon as the wire can be run, the system can be filled. This is a major milestone for Marathon Renewable Energy, Inc.

Dan Michelsen

USDA Rural Energy for America Program

Are you an agricultural producer or business owner located in a rural area or small town (population < 50,000?) Are you looking into investing in energy conservation and/or renewable energy? If so, you may qualify for a grant or guaranteed loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

We'll let you know what's available in more detail in our next post. The USDA will be releasing details next month. In the meantime, you can check out the USDA site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html, or give Dan a call at 218-8654. (He just took a seminar on the program!)

-Anne Michelsen