California to Mandate Solar Panels on All New Construction Homes Starting in 2020
The California Energy Commission approved a plan, in a 5-0 vote, requiring all newly constructed homes to have rooftop solar, going into effect in 2020. The recommended energy efficiency standards will be added to building regulations and requirements at some point this year. This mandate makes California the first state in the United States to require new construction homes to have solar panels, increasing its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Utah Approves Extension of Solar Tax Credit
Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed a new bill into law (SB 141) that grants an extension to the state’s solar tax credit. The bill extends the cap on the maximum credit each residential solar system can claim under the 25% solar tax credit by two years. This bill provides stability for the Utah solar market as it adapts to changes to rate structures and net metering.
IRS Issues Ruling on the ITC Eligibility of Residential Energy Storage Retrofits
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a private letter ruling (PLR) related to tax credit eligibility when retrofitting an energy storage system onto a home with an existing solar PV system. The PLR determined that a retrofitted storage system would in fact qualify for a 30% federal investment tax credit (ITC), “under code 25D(d)(2) as a qualified solar electric property expenditure”, assuming that the battery charges entirely from the solar system.
Customer Case Study: South Dakota Based GenPro Energy Solutions Facilitates Renewable Energy Projects Around the World
From cost-effective solar PV and energy efficiency solutions to customized development and consulting services, South Dakota based GenPro Energy Solutions is facilitating renewable energy projects all around the world. Founded in 2003, GenPro established itself initially by focusing on solar water pumping solutions throughout the Dakotas. Fast forward to today, …
Energy Toolbase Takes on Boston at Solar Power Northeast 2018
Boston is a historic city known for its red brick buildings, clam chowder, and its undoubtedly loyal Red Sox fans. So, as you can imagine, thousands of people descending upon the city for a solar power convention doesn’t really come to mind when you picture Bean Town. The Energy Toolbase team was one of 80 exhibitors that flooded the Westin Boston Waterfront hotel for Solar Power Northeast, along with more than 1,500 attendees. This year’s convention featured 5 separate tracks of education, including the addition of O&M and energy storage events, along with multiple networking events throughout the day and night. There was a good mix of exhibitors as well, which is probably what made it so intriguing. From solar mounting, software platforms to solar developers and installers, the convention was a one stop shop for solar and storage.
Our SGIP Incentives are Live on the Platform
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides financial incentives for the installation of new, qualifying technologies including energy storage, wind power, fuel cells, combined heat & power and others. It was big news when the program relaunched in the spring of 2017, with a re-upped program budget that was earmarked primarily for customer-sited Energy Storage Systems (ESS).
Energy Storage Resource Guide & User Instructions
Energy Toolbase enables users to model, optimize, and propose the economics for any type of behind-the-meter (BTM) Energy Storage System (ESS). Our new storage module was designed to empower distributed energy developers to identify the best storage use-cases, efficiently focus their development resources, and close deals.
Federal Tax Reform Bill (2017/2018)
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law a $1.5 trillion tax reform bill, which the New York Times called “the most consequential tax legislation in three decades”. The bill has numerous impacts on solar and renewable energy projects in general. Key provisions: Investment Tax Credit (ITC): there is …
We’ve Expanded Our Headquarters in South Florida
Energy Toolbase has grown. Literally. We’re proud to announce that we recently doubled the footprint of our office space in Stuart, Florida. We now occupy a two-story waterfront office suite, which has allowed us to accommodate our growing team.
CPUC Approves Peak Period Shifts for SDG&E TOU Rates
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved peak period shifts for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), which officially went into effect on December 1, 2017. The changes include a major shift of the time-of-use (TOU) periods, moving the midday summer “on-peak” window from 11am to 6pm, out to 4pm – 9pm. SDG&E becomes the first investor owned utility (IOU) in California to implement these radical changes, as part of their General Rate Case (GRC) filing. Both Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and Southern California Edison (SCE) are looking to follow suit in their pending GRC filings.