Gerry Smith
Chicago site shines light on solar power -- Click for Full Story
Also, there are federal tax credits for up to 30 percent of costs available to homeowners and businesses that buy solar or wind energy systems. And there are grants available to state and local governments and nonprofits through the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, Love said.
Legislation introduced in Springfield would have allowed local governments to give loans to homeowners or business owners for solar installations and allowed them to repay the loans as assessments on their property tax bill. But the bill did not pass.
NPR story on Camp Lejeune and Solar Water Heating
Mark Burger, president of the Illinois Solar Energy Association, said installing solar power is like making a major home improvement, with the cost being roughly equal to adding a new bathroom or remodeling a kitchen.
It's a buyer's market, Burger said, and a solar-powered house that promises reduced utility bills for years can be a major selling point.
"Developers are realizing that putting solar on homes to make them more 'green' is the only way to save the real estate market," Burger said. (end)
I thought this was a good example of economics and renewable energy.
