Q. How easy is it to get the solar tax credit?
A. The IRS form for residential energy credits is at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf  If you have a home-based business, ask your accountant if your business qualifies for the 30% business tax credit and accelerated depreciation and how it affects the value of your home. The IRS form for commercial investment tax credits is at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3468.pdf

Q. When does the solar credit start? How long does it last?
A. The credit is available for PV systems that are "placed in service" (activated) between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2008. As of September 2007, Congress and the President have not approved the solar tax credit extension so contact your political representatives and tell them to do it now.

Q. Is the tax credit applicable to existing systems?
A. Systems that have already been installed are not eligible. If the installation is on a new home, the "placed in service" date is the date of occupancy by the homeowner.

Q. How does the residential cap on expenditures operate?
A. An individual can take the 30% credit up to a $2,000 cap for residential PV.

Q. How does the credit work with an existing state credit or utility incentive?
A. The credit applies to the basis remaining after any state or utility incentives available to the taxpayer have been taken. Example: a $10,000 system that receives $5,000 in state incentives would be eligible for a $1,500 federal credit (30% of %5,000). However, some states require the federal credit be taken first so ask your accountant.

Q. When should I buy my PV system?
A. Do not wait to buy your PV system. Prices are going up as demand and raw material price increases. Start using solar and begin amortizing the cost now.

Q. I thought PV prices were supposed to come down if production and demand increased. What's going on?
A. The world has awakened to the value of PV. Megawatts of new production capacity are coming on line, but megawatts of PV are being installed daily so demand exceeds supply.

Q. What should I do?
A. Design your PV system and plan to complete the installation before December, 2008. If your state or local utility offers a PV rebate, allow enough time to get your rebate application approved and make sure that you can install your system before your rebate deadline. Contact your local utility and begin the interconnection agreement process. Talk to your local building and planning office and find out what they require to get a building permit. Order your parts and schedule delivery.

Q. How can SOLutions in Solar Electricity help me?
A. SOLutions has been making on-time delivery of solar equipment since 1978. We track prices and availability daily. We will help you design your PV system, give you discount prices and get your equipment to you on time.