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.

Solar Thermal Tax Credit Caps

A couple of posts ago I wrote that the rebate caps on residential solar had been lifted starting in 2009. The information came from what is usually a reliable source, but as it was there was some confusion about the topic in the weeks following the passing of the renewable energy bill last fall.

Turns out the cap was lifted for PV, but not for solar thermal. Too bad - it reflects true ignorance of the real value of solar thermal.

Even so, solar water heating remains an economically attractive renewable energy source - even in Wisconsin.

See our website ( www.MarathonRenewableEnergy.com ) for more information on solar water heating in Wisconsin - or call us at 715-218-8654 and Dan will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the topic. (Be sure to set aside a chunk of time - he's kind of like a walking encyclopedia.)

No More Question Marks

Hallelujah! Dan finally announced today that he's found a source for the unions he needs for fitting pipes - which ends a months-long quest to find supply sources for the various parts needed to install solar water heating systems on a large-scale basis.

Solar thermal guru Bob Ramlow tipped him off that Caleffi, a European solar products manufacturer, makes the elusive part. Hot Water Products, our distributor in Milwaukee, carries Caleffi products, but had been unable to locate that particular part. Turns out it wasn't listed in the catalog - but it is available!

Bob also relayed the information that Nibco makes an acceptable copper/brass union, if you dope it up really well. Those are available at most large hardware outlets.

(I never would have guessed finding parts would be such a challenge. Funny what you learn when you're in business!)

In any case, now we have at least one supplier for every item needed. That will make future projects MUCH easier to implement!

Solar Thermal Installation Under Way!

Our first installation is under way! After some delay due to shippping and supply hassles, Dan's started work on our first official solar water heating system. Wish him luck as he braves the chilly Wisconsin weather to bring warmth from the sun to the household of Alan Henricks of Marathon, WI!