Want Solar Energy Write Offs?

Credit due to: bloomberg.com

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By rn John F. Wasik

Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) — As the U.S. property market and summer both rn cool down, turning your house into a power producer can make sense. rn If you want to “go solar”” with your home and boost its market value, rn New Jersey is a good place to start.

Although it won”t usurp the title of sunshine state from Florida any rn time soon, New Jersey has generous benefits for homeowners installing rn solar equipment. Yet you don”t have to live in Bruce Springsteen”s rn home state to reap these breaks; similar programs are offered across rn the U.S., Europe and Australia.

Eric Olsen, a systems architect for United Parcel Service Inc., installed rn solar panels to generate electricity on his 3,500-square-foot home rn in Totowa, New Jersey. In the summer, the 48 panels generate 8.5 kilowatts, rn enough to pay all of his energy bills.

While the retail price of the panels was $62,500, his net cost was rn reduced significantly by state incentives. As his energy bills rose, rn the payback period for his investment has shortened.

“If the economics didn”t work out, I wouldn”t have done it,”” Olsen rn said. “About 70 percent of the equipment and installation cost was rn paid for by New Jersey. It”s the hottest state for solar power.””

The total cost of Olsen”s system was offset by a number of financial rn plums that make a pricey product more affordable.

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Credit due to: rn http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_wasik&sid=aKoeQcVKShz8

Credit due to: bloomberg.com

rn

By rn John F. Wasik

Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) — As the U.S. property market and summer both rn cool down, turning your house into a power producer can make sense. rn If you want to “go solar”” with your home and boost its market value, rn New Jersey is a good place to start.

Although it won”t usurp the title of sunshine state from Florida any rn time soon, New Jersey has generous benefits for homeowners installing rn solar equipment. Yet you don”t have to live in Bruce Springsteen”s rn home state to reap these breaks; similar programs are offered across rn the U.S., Europe and Australia.

Eric Olsen, a systems architect for United Parcel Service Inc., installed rn solar panels to generate electricity on his 3,500-square-foot home rn in Totowa, New Jersey. In the summer, the 48 panels generate 8.5 kilowatts, rn enough to pay all of his energy bills.

While the retail price of the panels was $62,500, his net cost was rn reduced significantly by state incentives. As his energy bills rose, rn the payback period for his investment has shortened.

“If the economics didn”t work out, I wouldn”t have done it,”” Olsen rn said. “About 70 percent of the equipment and installation cost was rn paid for by New Jersey. It”s the hottest state for solar power.””

The total cost of Olsen”s system was offset by a number of financial rn plums that make a pricey product more affordable.

rn

Credit due to: rn http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_wasik&sid=aKoeQcVKShz8