Posts Tagged ‘solar’

Another Set of Solar Panels on the OBX

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Congratulations to customer Jim Burke, owner of True Friends in Nags Head, North Carolina. He’s installed at 2.76 kW system on his home that will offset about 4000 kWh of electricity annually.

But what’s really great is to see solar panels with an ocean backdrop. It just makes sense.

Energy Star Rebate Begins Again Today

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

As we blogged about in our last post on May 19th… Waldt Renewables believes that when a home or business is operating at peak efficiency a renewable energy solution becomes even more valuable.

Starting today, June 1, you have a second chance at participating in the Energy Star Program… the list of products eligible for the rebate has grown to include Energy Star-rated central air conditioning systems, gas furnaces, air-source and ground-source heat pumps, and water heaters (gas storage, gas tankless, solar with electric backup and solar with gas backup). Also, as in the first phase of rebates, consumers can purchase Energy Star-rated refrigerators, freezers, clothes washing machines and dishwashers. Consumers must be replacing an old appliance to claim the rebate.

Let Waldt Renewables prepare your turn key solar hot water solution estimate today. Contact us at 252.491.2204 or renewables@waldt.com.

Funding is limited (of course) so move on this quickly. And for more information visit:

www.ncappliancerebate.com

(this makes solar hot water even more appealing!!!)

Waldt Discovers the Latest in Green Building

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

This week in Raleigh the National Association of Homebuilders is holding their “Green Building Conference”. To make sure that Waldt Construction and Renewables is on the cutting edge of Green Building, Bridge McDowell has been at the convention.

One interesting find from Bridge is a solar hot water pretreatment system and tankless hot water assist system. It replaces standard high energy use electric hot water heaters. Using the sun’s energy to keep the water hot most of the time and using the tankless assist for short term high demand times. Bridge’s comment: ” Great idea that has a great rate of return… ”

Keep in mind that solar hot water technology is eligible for all of the unprecendented State and Federal tax credits… up to 65% of the total INSTALLED costs. Renewable energy solar solutions like this one can really make financial sense for the average homeowner.

Waldt Construction and Renewables will be happy to provide a turn key quote for you to take advantage of this type of solar solution.

Using West Facing Roof Elevations for Solar

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

On Monday we drove north to see a potential customer who lives year round in Corova. For those of you off the banks, this is north of Corolla where the road literally ends. In order to get to any residence in Corova, you must drive on the beach for several miles and then turn inland on passes through the dunes.

In this instance, our motivated homeowner has a beautiful house with a big expanse of roof that is ideal for placing solar panels. And the roof is facing WEST, not south.

Just in case you are in the same situation, a west facing roof is not a showstopper. Yes, its true that you may not be able to get the absolute maximum sun exposure (and thus power production) but there are lots of alternatives that make solar installations possible.

One of the best things about Corova is the wild horse population (supposedly decended from horses that survived earlier shipwrecks)… they come down to the ocean’s edge in groups. We were excited to see several foals amongst the adults on this ride.

10 Million Solar Roof Initiative

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chairman of the Senate’s green jobs subcommittee introduced legislation with nine cosponsors to encourage the installation of 10 million solar systems on the rooftops of homes and businesses over the next decade.

Senator Sanders cited both a need to have energy independence from foreign energy sources and the possibility of a new robust sector of the green economy for installers and equipment manufacturers as important reasons for submitting this legislation.

Solar systems and solar hot water would be further incentivized by this bill for residential, commercial, institutional and local government.

For more information about this bill visit the Renewable Energy World article here: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/02/sen-sanders-introduces-10-million-solar-home-initiative

To contact our North Carolina State Senators in support of this bill, call Senator Richard Burr at (202) 224-3154 or Senator Kay Hagan at (202) 224-6342.

I hope that this legislation goes through. We still need some way of making solar and renewable energy solutions more affordable. CEY

The nation that leads the global economy…

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

In his State of the Union address, President Obama reiterated that “providing incentives for energy-efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future -– because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy.  And America must be that nation.” See it here.

Waldt Renewables is a small business aimed at helping customers in eastern North Carolina  understand how they can leverage existing tax incentives to pay for turnkey renewable energy solutions for their homes and businesses.

We tell our customers that there is an investment when installing any of these solutions. But we believe, as do most of our customers, that renewable energy production is the right direction… from stabilizing energy costs over time to reducing our national economy’s dependence on foreign energy sources.

More importantly, we understand that the more people who are interested in and understand creating clean energy, the more positive an impact on not taxing the environmental future of this region.

Let us hope that our politicians here us on both the state and federal level about maintaining, or better yet increasing our clean energy incentives.

Windspire mentioned in 2009 Clean Energy Roundup Article

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

The Mariah Windspire wind turbine is mentioned in an “This Year in Clean Energy”…

“Congressional leadership has driven both energy and climate legislation; and even allowing a temporary installation of two U.S.-made wind turbines (one by Mariah Power and the other by Southwest Windpower) to remain at the base of the U.S. Capitol on the grounds of the U.S. botanical gardens — clearly symbolic of the commitment to clean energy technologies.”

See the entire article here…

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/12/this-year-in-clean-energy-what-a-ride?cmpid=SolarNL-Monday-January4-2010

North Carolina Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Monday, November 30th, 2009

In 2007, when the legislature passed NC Senate Bill 3, tax credits became available to both residential and corporate customers in North Carolina who were installing a renewable energy solution.

The credit covers up to 35% of the cost of solar or other renewable energy system, capped at $10,500 for residential systems and an unprecedented $2.5 million for commercial and industrial systems. Residential customers get that credit all in one year unless the total is more than 50% of their tax liability. If so, the rest of the credit is spread over 5 years. Businesses are required to take their credit over 5 years. See more about specific North Carolina tax credits here.

One really great feature of Senate Bill 3 is that you can also take a tax deduction for a donation to a non-profit organization that is working on a renewable energy project.

Waldt Renewables is the go to renewable energy solution provider for residential, commercial and institutional customers in northeastern, North Carolina. Contact us today for a customized proposal.

Kitty Hawk Elementary Learns @ Renewable Energy

Monday, November 30th, 2009
Installing Solar Panels visible from the playground

Installing Solar Panels visible from the playground

Waldt Renewables and Dare County Schools (assisted by Baker Renewable Energy) have helped to launch a Renewable Energy Discovery Zone so that kids can learn about renewable forms of energy. Funded by a grant from the Albermarle Pamlico Sound National Estuary Foundation and the Kitty Hawk Elementary School PTA, the two panel solar system and a marine wind turbine outfitted with weather monitoring capabilities, provides data to the school community and the outside world. See more information here.