Please see a write-up about the event from the PV Chamber here: http://www.pvchamber.net/pdf/Oct-2009.nl.pdf
Thanks to everyone who came out and here's to another great year of solar.
Monday, November 2, 2009
SunPower Solar Open House Press
Our annual Open House, part of the National Solar Tour, was a great success.
Please see a write-up about the event from the PV Chamber here: http://www.pvchamber.net/pdf/Oct-2009.nl.pdf
Thanks to everyone who came out and here's to another great year of solar.
Please see a write-up about the event from the PV Chamber here: http://www.pvchamber.net/pdf/Oct-2009.nl.pdf
Thanks to everyone who came out and here's to another great year of solar.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Federal Incentives
There's been so much talk around here lately about the PA Sunshine Program that we thought we should remind everyone about the Federal Government's support for solar.
Here are our top tips for taking advantage of Federal Incentives:
1. Don't believe your CPA when he/she tells you that the Federal ITC is capped at $2K...
The Federal Tax Credit of 30% for Residential Solar PV installations was UNCAPPED at the end of 2008. It is not at all rare for the IRS not to put out new forms until partway through the year. Therefore, the 2008 form that shows a $2000 cap on the residential ITC for solar projects (Form 5695) is still floating around...HOWEVER, the truth is that the Federal ITC is 30% and uncapped, effective 2009, and
extended thru end of 2016. You can find this notation in the "What's New for 2009" section in the notes on the 2008 Form 5695.
Your CPA still doesn't believe you? Call SunPower, we are here to help.
2. Commercial Project? Go for the ITC Cash Grant!
The Stimulus Bill created an additional incentive for commercial projects that are put in service in 2009 - 2010: you can take the Federal ITC as a Cash Grant!
Treasury will administer the solar grant program and is required to pay out each solar grant within 60 days of the receipt of each application [Section 1603]. The solar grant is not subject to federal taxes [Section 1104].
This is a very informative link about the program: http://www.sunwize.com/commercial/business-solar-grant.php
What's next? Let's hear it for some MEANINGFUL climate change legislation!
Ontario, Canada has just implemented a feed-in tariff and we can't get PA House Bill 80 out of committee...stay tuned for legislative alerts to call your reps!
Here are our top tips for taking advantage of Federal Incentives:
1. Don't believe your CPA when he/she tells you that the Federal ITC is capped at $2K...
The Federal Tax Credit of 30% for Residential Solar PV installations was UNCAPPED at the end of 2008. It is not at all rare for the IRS not to put out new forms until partway through the year. Therefore, the 2008 form that shows a $2000 cap on the residential ITC for solar projects (Form 5695) is still floating around...HOWEVER, the truth is that the Federal ITC is 30% and uncapped, effective 2009, and
extended thru end of 2016. You can find this notation in the "What's New for 2009" section in the notes on the 2008 Form 5695.
Your CPA still doesn't believe you? Call SunPower, we are here to help.
2. Commercial Project? Go for the ITC Cash Grant!
The Stimulus Bill created an additional incentive for commercial projects that are put in service in 2009 - 2010: you can take the Federal ITC as a Cash Grant!
Treasury will administer the solar grant program and is required to pay out each solar grant within 60 days of the receipt of each application [Section 1603]. The solar grant is not subject to federal taxes [Section 1104].
This is a very informative link about the program: http://www.sunwize.com/commercial/business-solar-grant.php
What's next? Let's hear it for some MEANINGFUL climate change legislation!
Ontario, Canada has just implemented a feed-in tariff and we can't get PA House Bill 80 out of committee...stay tuned for legislative alerts to call your reps!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
SunPower's Annual 2-Day Open House! Oct. 2nd & 3rd
It's that time again! You are invited to our annual 2-day open house in Collegeville.
Come see our expanded facilities - Net-Zero Energy and 100% solar powered! Celebrate this exciting year for solar with SunPower staff and other solar enthusiasts.
When: Friday October 2, 12pm -2pm & Saturday October 3, 10am-4pm
Where: SunPower Solar HQ - 80 Pechins Mill Road - Collegeville, PA 19426
What: SunPower Solar's 2-day Annual Open House, part of the NESEA Green Buildings Open House and ASES National Solar Tour. Enjoy networking, refreshments and presentations about PA rebates and solar financing, solar electricity and solar hot water and SunPower Afrique (www.sunpowerafrique.org)
Please call 610.489.1105 or email kira@sunpowerbuilders.com for more information.
Read the full Press Release:
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kira Costanza, 610-489-1105, kira@sunpowerbuilders.com
PUBLIC INVITED TO SUNPOWER SOLAR’S OPEN HOUSE
Leading PA Solar Installer to open doors October 2 and 3
Collegeville, PA – September 16, 2009 – Always wanted to learn about solar and energy efficiency? SunPower Solar (a division of SunPower Builders) is a local company that has been installing solar energy systems since the 1970s, and invites the community to celebrate solar at their annual “Off-the-Grid Gala” from 12 pm – 2 pm on Friday, October 2 and during the National Solar Tour & Green Buildings Open House from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday, October 3. Both events take place at SunPower Solar office at 80 Pechins Mill Road, Collegeville, PA.
Now in their 4th decade of solar installations and energy efficient design and construction, SunPower Solar has compiled a diverse portfolio of projects in Southeastern PA, bound by the common threads of fine design, high quality craftsmanship and energy efficiency. Jon Costanza, President of SunPower Solar, states, “With state rebates, Federal Tax Credits and other incentives, solar is now more affordable than ever.” More information about how you can afford to go solar can be found at www.sunpowerbuilders.com.
Friday’s “Off-the-Grid Gala” is an opportunity to see a large solar energy system at work, completely powering the SunPower Solar office! Enjoy networking, meet the staff, and learn about everything solar, from technology to financing. Saturday’s event, part of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s (www.nesea.org) Green Buildings Open House and American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour. SunPower Builders’ office, also the site of Founder and President Jon Costanza’s super energy efficient 1703 stone farmhouse, will be featured on the Tour for the 12th consecutive year. Costanza’s property is not only host to his home’s and business’s active photovoltaic (solar electricity generation) and solar hot water heating systems, but also exemplifies passive solar techniques, daylighting, superinsulation (soy-based), a geothermal heat pump and is built out of 80% salvaged and recycled materials.
At both events, information will also be available about SunPower Afrique, SunPower Solar’s nonprofit partner that is working to install solar energy systems through microfinance in Togo, West Africa. More on SunPower Afrique can be found at www.sunpowerafrique.org. Light refreshments will be served and casual dress is highly recommended.
Come see our expanded facilities - Net-Zero Energy and 100% solar powered! Celebrate this exciting year for solar with SunPower staff and other solar enthusiasts.
When: Friday October 2, 12pm -2pm & Saturday October 3, 10am-4pm
Where: SunPower Solar HQ - 80 Pechins Mill Road - Collegeville, PA 19426
What: SunPower Solar's 2-day Annual Open House, part of the NESEA Green Buildings Open House and ASES National Solar Tour. Enjoy networking, refreshments and presentations about PA rebates and solar financing, solar electricity and solar hot water and SunPower Afrique (www.sunpowerafrique.org)
Please call 610.489.1105 or email kira@sunpowerbuilders.com for more information.
Read the full Press Release:
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kira Costanza, 610-489-1105, kira@sunpowerbuilders.com
PUBLIC INVITED TO SUNPOWER SOLAR’S OPEN HOUSE
Leading PA Solar Installer to open doors October 2 and 3
Collegeville, PA – September 16, 2009 – Always wanted to learn about solar and energy efficiency? SunPower Solar (a division of SunPower Builders) is a local company that has been installing solar energy systems since the 1970s, and invites the community to celebrate solar at their annual “Off-the-Grid Gala” from 12 pm – 2 pm on Friday, October 2 and during the National Solar Tour & Green Buildings Open House from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday, October 3. Both events take place at SunPower Solar office at 80 Pechins Mill Road, Collegeville, PA.
Now in their 4th decade of solar installations and energy efficient design and construction, SunPower Solar has compiled a diverse portfolio of projects in Southeastern PA, bound by the common threads of fine design, high quality craftsmanship and energy efficiency. Jon Costanza, President of SunPower Solar, states, “With state rebates, Federal Tax Credits and other incentives, solar is now more affordable than ever.” More information about how you can afford to go solar can be found at www.sunpowerbuilders.com.
Friday’s “Off-the-Grid Gala” is an opportunity to see a large solar energy system at work, completely powering the SunPower Solar office! Enjoy networking, meet the staff, and learn about everything solar, from technology to financing. Saturday’s event, part of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s (www.nesea.org) Green Buildings Open House and American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour. SunPower Builders’ office, also the site of Founder and President Jon Costanza’s super energy efficient 1703 stone farmhouse, will be featured on the Tour for the 12th consecutive year. Costanza’s property is not only host to his home’s and business’s active photovoltaic (solar electricity generation) and solar hot water heating systems, but also exemplifies passive solar techniques, daylighting, superinsulation (soy-based), a geothermal heat pump and is built out of 80% salvaged and recycled materials.
At both events, information will also be available about SunPower Afrique, SunPower Solar’s nonprofit partner that is working to install solar energy systems through microfinance in Togo, West Africa. More on SunPower Afrique can be found at www.sunpowerafrique.org. Light refreshments will be served and casual dress is highly recommended.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Visit SunPower Solar at the PA Renewable Energy Fest - Kira Costanza also to speak about SunPower Afrique - Friday 9AM
Hi Everyone -
Hope to see you there!
Just a quick note to let you all know that SunPower Solar will be participating in the Pennsylvania Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival this weekend in Kempton, PA. Please come visit us at BOOTH 115!
In addition, Kira will be giving a presentation about SunPower Afrique's non-profit solar projects in Togo, West Africa at 9AM ON FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER. For more information about SunPower Afrique or to support these projects, please visit http://www.sunpowerafrique.org/
Hope to see you there!The SunPower Team
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
PA Sunshine Program Update and Upcoming Events!
The PA Sunshine Program is humming along quite smoothly. SunPower has received a slew of rebate reservations and is actively installing PV and SWH systems throughout SouthEastern PA!
Contact us to get started on going solar! (info@sunpowerbuilders.com)
The rebate level will remain at $2.25/Watt until the first "step" of installed capacity is reached in the state. Here is an update on those numbers:
SunPower will be joining MSEIA and the SEF at the Sustainable Energy Conference at Lafayette College in Easton, PA on the weekend of July 31st. The event is open to the public and information is available here: http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=710259
Kira Costanza will be traveling to Togo, W. Africa in August to work on SunPower Afrique project development. Please learn more and support SunPower's nonprofit work here: http://www.sunpowerafrique.org/ (every little bit helps!)
UPCOMING EVENTS: This fall will bring SunPower's annual hosting of the NESEA Solar Homes Tour and Open House, scheduled for the weekend of October as well as several other events including:
- September 12: Trappe Community Day
- September, TBC: Main Line Today Magazine's Home & Garden Show
- September 18-20: PA Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Festival where Kira will be giving a talk about SunPower Afrique! (http://www.paenergyfest.com/)
- September 26: Willow Creek's "Beyond Cans and Bottles Recycling Day" - SunPower has designed a large-scale solar PV system for this organic farm in Collegeville. (http://www.willowcreekorchards.com/)
- October 10: Peace Valley Nature Center's Solar Tour - SunPower designed and built a passive solar atrium at this Nature Center in Doylestown. (http://www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org/)
Please contact kira@sunpowerbuilders.com for information on any of these events and please do come out and join us!
Go Solar - Allez Solaire
Monday, June 22, 2009
Action Needed on PA House Bill 80!
Your help is needed ASAP to ensure the successful passage of House Bill 80, which has the potential to increase the solar share, continue our industry’s spectacular growth in PA and grow solar companies like SunPower!
Now is the time to make THREE calls to your reps! Please take 5 minutes to do so this afternoon or tomorrow morning, it will make a huge difference!
1. Please call your own representative and ask them, very simply, to support HB80 to grow the PA solar industry and create jobs (a personal anecdote or sentence about your company is helpful.)
Find your rep. here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm)
2 & 3. Please call Rep. Keith McCall at 717-783-1375 (Democratic leadership) and Rep. Sam Smith (Republican leadership) at 717-787-3845.
The message is: Please support solar in HB 80 with amendment 1997, which is the 3 percent solar share starting in 2011-2012.
Background: HB80 will increase the amount of solar power by a factor of six, and lead to the development of new renewable energy generation. This legislation would extend the timeline for the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) act to 2026 and strengthen Pennsylvania's competitive position by sending a strong, long-term market signal for new investment.
Thank you for your help – please call Kira Costanza at 610.489.1105 if you have any questions!
Now is the time to make THREE calls to your reps! Please take 5 minutes to do so this afternoon or tomorrow morning, it will make a huge difference!
1. Please call your own representative and ask them, very simply, to support HB80 to grow the PA solar industry and create jobs (a personal anecdote or sentence about your company is helpful.)
Find your rep. here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm)
2 & 3. Please call Rep. Keith McCall at 717-783-1375 (Democratic leadership) and Rep. Sam Smith (Republican leadership) at 717-787-3845.
The message is: Please support solar in HB 80 with amendment 1997, which is the 3 percent solar share starting in 2011-2012.
Background: HB80 will increase the amount of solar power by a factor of six, and lead to the development of new renewable energy generation. This legislation would extend the timeline for the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) act to 2026 and strengthen Pennsylvania's competitive position by sending a strong, long-term market signal for new investment.
Thank you for your help – please call Kira Costanza at 610.489.1105 if you have any questions!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
SunPower is Hiring!
Needed: Lead Carpenter to work with a growing solar and green contractor.
You have a sharp mind and pencil. You are nice, motivated, diligent, reliable and ethical. You can read and interpret plans and walk a roof like a mountain goat.
Must have reliable transportation, valid DL, and tools.
Great company, pay and benefits; solar training and incentives for a committed craftsperson.
Please send cover letter and resume to kira@sunpowerbuilders.com.
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