Comments on: Washington State Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

By: Joseph Condron

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:48:12 +0000

I think being paid for creating surplus energy is a great idea. It should encourage more people to try alternative means for obtaining their energy requirements.

By: Ron Disch

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:35:25 +0000

This has got to be the best Solar info site I have been to. Answers a lot of questions and gives good valuable info. For someone like I who is going to install their own system, this is a must or for the owner that is contracting out.
Thanks again

(Centerville WA)

By: Sam Harriman

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:15:00 +0000

Norma Geane,
As I already mentioned. I don’t know of any contractors right in Goldendale. You might check renewableenergyworld.com for greenerGetic individuals with reliable transportation in the Portland area.

By: NORMA GEANE CRAIN

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:45:12 +0000

I live in Goldendale WA. We live off the grid. Power cost to much to run to our residents. We have two 165 watt solar pannels and a Air X 400 watt working now. We also have a Whisper 200 we want to install. Where can we get help to finish installing our system, It seems most information is for grid tried systems only. Got any ideas. Thank you

By: Sam Harriman

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:37:09 +0000

Christian,
I’m not sure about educational resources on solar in the Goldendale area specifically. But I highly recommend John Schaeffer’s Solar Living Sourcebook as an excellent general reference for anyone interested in building their home as green as possible. Also, Chris Herman at winter sun design ( http://www.wintersundesign.com/ ) is a good green building consultant that I know of in the Seattle area. I think he works throughout the state.

By: Christian

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:18:06 +0000

My wife and I are seniors with fixed incomes, we are new to the srate and want to build our home as green as possible, are there any educational resources on solar in our area (Goldendale, WA)?

By: Sam Harriman

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:02:40 +0000

Great questions Ken

1. WA Senate Bill 6170(passed 7/1/09) defines community solar as solar energy systems owned by local entities and placed on local government property or owned by utilities and funded voluntarily by utility ratepayers.

I recently heard that the legislation is being rewritten due to a lot of confusing language.

2. Your reading is correct. the incentive is for the gross *energy* (in kWh) produced. A second, dedicated, production meter is installed on a grid-tied system. The utility reads that meter, and once a year, they send you a check for your production.

As I understand it, net metering arrangements are separate from production incentive payments. Ask your local installer.

By: Ken

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:47:01 +0000

Two more questions
Could you define “community”? We have a large homeowners association where I live that includes an office, maintainence team, marina, etc. Would the association qualify for a community incentive if they used the power for say the office?
Second question relates to the incentives. The way I read it, the incentive is for the gross power produced, not jsut the net metering. If so, does the total get added to the billing credit, or is the incentive sent as a check if it exceeds the billable amount?

By: Sam Harriman

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:18:54 +0000

Ken,
Thanks for asking the 3¢ question!
As far as I know Outback is the only major inverter company in Washington state. They have a manufacturing facility in Arlington, WA.

By: Ken

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:16:38 +0000

Are there companies that manufacture inverters now in WA.?