Solar tax credit spurs Seraphim Energy
Goldendale firm expands into Oregon solar market
• By RODGER NICHOLS of The Chronicle - July 11, 2007
This will be remembered as a banner year for solar energy in Oregon. We have already attracted two new major solar manufacturers to the state, with more likely on the way - Governor Ted Kulongoski.
Energy news from Salem this past legislative session tended to focus on Governor Kulongoski's Renewable Energy Standard, which requires the state's utilities to provide 25 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2025.
But other provisions of this year's energy legislation may have more immediate effect on Oregonians.
Funding for the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) was extended until 2025. The ETO funds programs for both solar hot water and photovoltaic systems, which convert sunlight directly to electricity.
In addition, the Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit was increased from 35 percent to 50 percent of eligible renewable project costs, and the covered amount increased to $20 million.
That's an increasingly tempting package for business owners, who would love to recover half their out-of-pocket costs for their other investments as tax credits, even spread out over five years at ten percent a year.
Builders also got a break, with a $9,000 tax credit for solar photovoltaic and solar hot water installations in new construction of single-family homes.
Homeowners weren't left out either, with legislation providing for a $6,000 tax credit for installing a photovoltaic system, and $1,500 for a solar hot water system.
Furthermore, the new law allows homeowners to take both credits in the same year.
While they were at it, legislators added a requirement that all public buildings that receive state funding to invest 1.5 percent of project costs in solar technologies:
According to the Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association the arrival of German based SolarWorld AG and California- based Solaicx mean more than $400 million of investment in solar manufacturing for the state.
By 2009, SolarWorld's Hillsboro, plant plans on being at capacity of 500 megawatts and Solaicx, in Portland will add another 48 megawatts making Oregon the largest producer of photovoltaic cells in the U.S.
All of this has spurred Goldendale's Seraphim Energy Inc., now celebrating the start of its fifth year, to expand its operations into Oregon.
A press release from the company said it plans on "serving the 1-84 corridor from Hood River to LaGrande."
Seraphim acquired the necessary Oregon license (CCB#175837), and have hired an energy systems design and sales technician.
Bob Skinner lives outside Ione, Oregon. He's been off grid for the past 12 years, "knowing first-hand the joys and challenges of relying on wind and solar as primary sources of power."
Skinner has spent most of his career as a successful real estate salesman, specializing in rural properties.
He recently tested to become an Oregon Department of Energy tax-certified technician for photovoltaic systems. In Oregon a system has to be certified before it can receive the Oregon Tax Credit. Skinner can walk customers through that process.
Skinner can be reached at (541) 454-2220.
The Goldendale office number is (509) 773-3806.
• By RODGER NICHOLS of The Chronicle - July 11, 2007
This will be remembered as a banner year for solar energy in Oregon. We have already attracted two new major solar manufacturers to the state, with more likely on the way - Governor Ted Kulongoski.
Energy news from Salem this past legislative session tended to focus on Governor Kulongoski's Renewable Energy Standard, which requires the state's utilities to provide 25 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2025.
But other provisions of this year's energy legislation may have more immediate effect on Oregonians.
Funding for the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) was extended until 2025. The ETO funds programs for both solar hot water and photovoltaic systems, which convert sunlight directly to electricity.
In addition, the Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit was increased from 35 percent to 50 percent of eligible renewable project costs, and the covered amount increased to $20 million.
That's an increasingly tempting package for business owners, who would love to recover half their out-of-pocket costs for their other investments as tax credits, even spread out over five years at ten percent a year.
Builders also got a break, with a $9,000 tax credit for solar photovoltaic and solar hot water installations in new construction of single-family homes.
Homeowners weren't left out either, with legislation providing for a $6,000 tax credit for installing a photovoltaic system, and $1,500 for a solar hot water system.
Furthermore, the new law allows homeowners to take both credits in the same year.
While they were at it, legislators added a requirement that all public buildings that receive state funding to invest 1.5 percent of project costs in solar technologies:
According to the Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association the arrival of German based SolarWorld AG and California- based Solaicx mean more than $400 million of investment in solar manufacturing for the state.
By 2009, SolarWorld's Hillsboro, plant plans on being at capacity of 500 megawatts and Solaicx, in Portland will add another 48 megawatts making Oregon the largest producer of photovoltaic cells in the U.S.
All of this has spurred Goldendale's Seraphim Energy Inc., now celebrating the start of its fifth year, to expand its operations into Oregon.
A press release from the company said it plans on "serving the 1-84 corridor from Hood River to LaGrande."
Seraphim acquired the necessary Oregon license (CCB#175837), and have hired an energy systems design and sales technician.
Bob Skinner lives outside Ione, Oregon. He's been off grid for the past 12 years, "knowing first-hand the joys and challenges of relying on wind and solar as primary sources of power."
Skinner has spent most of his career as a successful real estate salesman, specializing in rural properties.
He recently tested to become an Oregon Department of Energy tax-certified technician for photovoltaic systems. In Oregon a system has to be certified before it can receive the Oregon Tax Credit. Skinner can walk customers through that process.
Skinner can be reached at (541) 454-2220.
The Goldendale office number is (509) 773-3806.
Bob Skinner
