I was in Germany this Summer and was surprised how extensive renewable energy was. Unlike in the U.S. where seeing solar PV panels is a rarity on homes, I would estimate that 20% of the homes, in even rural villages, have solar PV panels installed on their red clay tile roofs. It seemed that even more small factories and office buildings had PV panels installed. Germany has less than the ideal climate for solar panels, yet gets 15% of its electricity from renewable energy. They have many cloudy days and their weather is similar to that in upstate New York or Maine. The German government has targeted the renewable energy as growth industry not only for use in Germany, but also for export. The German government offers generous incentives for homeowners and companies to switch to renewable energy. Other European countries, such as Spain and France, are much further along than we are here in the States to making the switch to renewable energy. The French, for example, get 80% of their electricity from nuclear energy and an additional 12% from hydroelectric sources. Germany has long been the heart of the anti-nuclear movement in Europe. Yet rising electricity prices and growing concerns about climate change have tempered the opposition. Today Germany gets 23% of its electricity from nuclear plants.

Question #1. Are there currently any Virginia State incentives for installing solar renewable energy generation sytems?

Answer #1. Yes, as of this month Governor Kaine announced that $40,000,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds are now available to implement the Virginia State Energy Plan (SEP). Of the $40 million available, $15,000,000 has been earmarked for the new Virginia Renewable Energy Rebate Program which will provide rebates to Virginians who install solar renewable energy generation systems. Rebates will be based on capacity of the generating system, for example, a residential PV system is eligible for $2,000 per kilowatt, up to 10 kilowatts in size.

Question #2. Is this State cash rebate in addition to the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit?

Answer #2. Yes. For example, on our "Big Dipper" system which sells for $79,900 you would receive $23,970 Federal Income Tax Credit and a $14,400 Virginia State Solar Cash Rebate. The net cost after Federal and State credits and rebates for this large system would $41,530. For more information please visit www.schulzhomes.com/solar.

This month's suggested reading. Crude World – The Violent Twilight of Oil by Peter Mass. Knopf. 276 pp. $27.

About the Author: Dale Schulz is the President of Schulz Homes, www.schulzhomes.com. He has been building and renovating custom homes in the area for nearly a quarter century. He is also the President and Founder of Virginia Renewable Energy, which retrofits new and existing homes with renewable energy systems, such as solar PV panel and wind turbines. You contact him as well as send your questions for future columns to dale@schulzhomes.com. His phone number is 540.687.3367. Schulz Homes office is located on North Hamilton St.