Cost Saving Solar Panels; Grants, Incentives & Rebates

Federal and private grants offer encouragement to implement the conversion of natural radiation from the sun into solar energy systems to produce hot water, cooling, heating and electrical energy for commercial, industrial and residential buildings. A Federal tax incentive program allows a 30% investment tax credit to be earned to reduce the cost to a complete system cost. If the credit earned in a single year exceeds the tax liability the credited excess can carry forward into the following taxable year up until the year of 2016. There are also significant state incentives and rebates that vary from state to state and within different utility service territories.

Solar systems are designed to offset the energy generated by other sources such as natural gas, coal, nuclear, petroleum and fossil fuels, etc. as well as protecting the environment.

As role models of good stewardship some innovative school districts and businesses throughout the United States are able to help cut costs significantly for taxpayers by harnessing the sun through renewable solar energy.

One example is the groundbreaking solar project for a school in Tucson, Arizona estimated they would be saving approximately $170,000 within the first year of operation over the next twenty years $11,000,000 in energy costs. This also means cleaner air by averting emissions from the local power plants while providing wonderful shade in playground areas.

If you are a public school or a non-profit organization that provides services for children under 18 years of age you may be eligible for funding or grant assistance to purchase a permanent shade structure. Every year the Florida Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery hosts a sun shade contest giving funds for a shade structure to a group or school.

The AAD Shade Structure Grant Program offers a grant for a sum of up to $8,000 for the purpose of providing shade for children.

The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation also offers $5,000 to $25,000 or higher in possible grants to local communities for nonprofit organizations or public education or community improvement in places close to its and distribution centers or stores.

In South Carolina technicians completed installing solar panels for two high schools that can generate 25,000 electrical watts. The students throughout the school district can access a computer system electronically that will monitor the energy that is produced. Their goal was to have the students involved in evaluating the systems and serve not just as a more energy efficient system but as an educational tool as well. The system is designed to shade an outdoor patio as well. The power that is generated from the solar panels will be sold to the South Carolina Electric and Gas. The schools were able to offset the original cost through the Solar Grant Program for Education Installations and the rest of the funding came from other energy efficient projects.

They are expected to last much longer than that, but solar panels most typically boast a 20 to 25 year warranty. The cost of going solar has also come down over the years. Check out the possibilities and savings in going solar. Maybe solar might be an alternate solution for you.

Timber Frame: How Can Douglas Fir, A Softwood, Be Strong?

ByLaurence Bunker January 27, 2014

Douglas fir is well known to architectural engineers as the best for support beams in larger construction designs. Douglas fir ranks 600 pounds of force for the Janka hardness test, which isn’t particularly high.

Pergola Kits

Low Cost, Easy Upkeep Pergola: Aluminum Reinforced Vinyl vs Timber Frame

ByLaurence Bunker March 8, 2015

“— Rick & Nancy Bowen, Holladay, UT We have had many clients tell us that their kit went together like a set of “Legos” or “Lincoln Logs”. This integrity is shown in timber framing dating back hundreds of years that have allowed for wide-open spaces, cathedral ceilings, commercial construction, great rooms, ancient bridges, waterworks and more.

Pergola Kits

Covered Patio: 5 Post 20′ x 20′ DIY Pergola Kit w/ Lattice Panels

ByLaurence Bunker February 8, 2016

Corner view of the 20’x 20′, five post timber frame 8000 Series ShadeScape™ DIY pergola kit with lattices over backyard concrete patio. The extra outdoor room gives a relaxed family atmosphere for activities such as cooking, dining and good conversations.

Commercial

Timber Frame Entrance & Entryways, Accents & Embellishments

ByLaurence Bunker December 5, 2014

A timber frame entryway embraces all who enter there with its natural warmth and beauty. Any of these heavy duty Douglas Fir timber frame components using the mortise and tenon joints with The Dovetail Difference™ system will give a wonderful new look to a residential or commercial building that will last for generations.

Commercial

What is a Kiosk? Would a Kiosk Benefit & Grow Your Business?

ByLaurence Bunker December 20, 2013

These kiosks are like a small booth where an employee or two will answer questions and sell products. A timber kiosk can be created fast and easy place as Howard & Peggy Bigenho, of Eagle Mountain, UT expressed to us, “It was surprisingly finished in only 3 1/2 hours.” Patty Sampson, another client was also impressed by strength and the speed in which a Western Timber Frame structure went up and said, “It went together like Lincoln Logs.

Commercial

Showcase Storefront in ONE Afternoon

ByLaurence Bunker May 21, 2018

The storefront is also valuable space that can be utilized more effectively with a timber ShadeScape™ with the natural cooling shade of timber that is so inviting and conveys professionalism. Renovations, alterations or additions to an existing storefront in many cases can be large undertakings that can slow down or detour some business, while under construction.

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