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Solar update.
Over the last 2 weeks I had some overheating problems with our charge controller. The controller would heat up and trip a breaker shutting off the solar panels. After awhile the batteries would run down and the generator would automatically start up.
We had very hot weather here, up to 90 degs and I was running the AC in the cabin. The builders also had their table saws, air compressors and lights on at the same time. I think I found the limit on our solar system.
I added a small fan to help cool the charge controller, and since it's cooled down to the mid 50's I don't need the AC.
So far this has been the only problem that we've had with our solar system.
I heard that this is the last year that the Feds are offering the full 30% tax credits. Next year it drops to 24% and after that it's drops to 6%.
With that in mind I'm going to buy another backup generator before the end of the year to run the well pump.
I wasn’t aware that a generator qualified for the credit. I believed it was just the solar system, batteries and labor.
 
I wasn’t aware that a generator qualified for the credit. I believed it was just the solar system, batteries and labor.
It was my understanding that anything related to an off grid system qualified for the tax credits. But be sure and check with your tax accountant before claiming the credits.
 
From my turbo tax professional. You only get this if you owe the amount in federal tax.

Taxpayers who upgrade their homes to make use of renewable energy may be eligible for a tax credit to offset some of the costs. As of the 2018 tax year, the federal government offers the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit. The credits are good through 2019 and then are reduced each year through the end of 2021. Claim the credits by filing Form 5695 with your tax return.

Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Equipment that qualifies for the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit includes solar, wind, geothermal and fuel-cell technology:




    • Solar panels, or photovoltaics, for generating electricity. The electricity must be used in the home.
    • Solar-powered water heaters. The water heated by the system must be used inside the home, and at least half of the home's water-heating capacity must be solar. (Solar heaters for swimming pools and hot tubs do not qualify.)
    • Wind turbines that generate up to 100 kilowatts of electricity for residential use.
    • Geothermal heat pumps that meet federal Energy Star guidelines.
    • Fuel cells that rely on a renewable resource (usually hydrogen) to generate power for a home. The equipment must generate at least 0.5 kilowatts of power.
Renewable energy tax credit details
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can claim the Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit for solar, wind, and geothermal equipment in both your principal residence and a second home. But fuel-cell equipment qualifies only if installed in your principal residence.




    • The credit is equal to 30% of the cost, including installation.
    • The maximum tax credit for fuel cells is $500 for each half-kilowatt of power capacity, or $1,000 for each kilowatt.
      • For example, a fuel cell with a 5 kW capacity would qualify for 5 x $1,000 = $5,000 tax credit.
Nonbusiness Energy Property Tax Credit (Expired December 31, 2017)
For tax years prior to 2018, equipment and materials can qualify for the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit only if they meet the standards set by the Department of Energy. The manufacturer can tell you whether a particular item meets those standards.

For this credit, the IRS distinguishes between two kinds of upgrades.

The first is "qualified energy efficiency improvements," and it includes:



    • Home insulation
    • Exterior doors
    • Exterior windows and skylights
    • Certain roofing materials
The second category is "residential energy property costs." It includes:



    • Electric heat pumps
    • Electric heat pump water heaters
    • Central air conditioning systems
    • Natural gas, propane or oil water heaters
    • Stoves that use biomass fuel
    • Natural gas, propane or oil furnaces
    • Natural gas, propane or oil hot water boilers
    • Advanced circulating fans for natural gas, propane or oil furnaces
Details of nonbusiness tax credit
You can claim a tax credit for 10% of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements and 100% of residential energy property costs. This credit is worth a maximum of $500 for all years combined, from 2006 to the present. Of that combined $500 limit,




    • A maximum of $200 can be for windows.
    • The maximum tax credit for a furnace circulating fan is $50.
    • The maximum credit for a furnace or boiler is $150.
    • The maximum credit for any other single residential energy property cost is $300.
 
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I somehow doubt that is the real reason.
tax credits aren't why I prep.
i'm retired, I don't pay tax.
Whatever BP. But most of us here would take advantage of reducing our tax liability any chance we can. I'm retired too but my wife still works and some of my investments generate a tax liability.
If you don't have any tax to pay then this conversation doesn't apply to you. But in my case the tax credits from my solar system has saved me and my wife over $25,000 in taxes in the last 2 years. That's money that can be used elsewhere. Like buying livestock, which provides additional tax benefits, but that's for another thread.
 
With our recent hot weather (85 degs) I've been having problems with my charge controller over heating and causing a breaker to trip. After many calls to the company that I bought the equipment from it turns out that the charge controller is too small for the number of solar panels I have. They're producing too much power! Anyway the company is going to send me a larger charge controller at no cost.
I also asked for a quote on a wind turbine and for 6 additional panels.
We usually don't get enough wind here in summer, with today being an exception, to get much out of a wind turbine. But we do in fall, winter and spring when the solar won't be putting out much power. I'll buy the turbine and additional panels this summer but I may not be able to get it all connected before spring.
 
I just started researching wind generators today. Does anyone here know anything about Automaxx Wind Mills? They have a 1500 watt, 24v 60 amp wind turbine with built in charge controller. It can be wired directly to your battery bank. It starts producing minimal power at 5.6 mph. The price is $1500. I don't know if that's a good price or not. The reviews on it were mostly favorable.
I'm planning on mounting it on a 45'-60' tower on top of the hill behind the solar panel site, provided that I can get a crane up there.
 
I was considering installing some solar panels next year t0 build a off-grid system. Will not be tied into any existing electrical system. Will be a stand alone system with stand alone outlets in several rooms in the house. Hope to run the refrigerator and TVs. That will allow us to have power when the system is out and not rely just in the generator.

One item that I need done this year is the removal of several (4) trees that are between the house, power lines and roads. Cannot just be dropped so this will be a "high dollar" item. Also, these trees are on the south side of the house meaning they are in the way of any solar panels. They will have to be gone before I can install the solar system.

BING, BING, after reading the TAX CREDIT, it seems to include ALL EXPENSEs for installing the system. Since the trees have to be removed before I can install the system, I should be able to include that tree removal expense in the TAX CREDIT. Getting a 30% tax credit now makes the tree removal something I can live with. I just need to purchase and install the solar system before year end to justify the deduction. As I read the rules, I don't actually have to complete the installation before year end as long as I have started it. But, I want to get it all done during the same period so the IRS will have not reason to question any expense. I don't want to mess with the IRS.
 
I was considering installing some solar panels next year t0 build a off-grid system. Will not be tied into any existing electrical system. Will be a stand alone system with stand alone outlets in several rooms in the house. Hope to run the refrigerator and TVs. That will allow us to have power when the system is out and not rely just in the generator.

One item that I need done this year is the removal of several (4) trees that are between the house, power lines and roads. Cannot just be dropped so this will be a "high dollar" item. Also, these trees are on the south side of the house meaning they are in the way of any solar panels. They will have to be gone before I can install the solar system.

BING, BING, after reading the TAX CREDIT, it seems to include ALL EXPENSEs for installing the system. Since the trees have to be removed before I can install the system, I should be able to include that tree removal expense in the TAX CREDIT. Getting a 30% tax credit now makes the tree removal something I can live with. I just need to purchase and install the solar system before year end to justify the deduction. As I read the rules, I don't actually have to complete the installation before year end as long as I have started it. But, I want to get it all done during the same period so the IRS will have not reason to question any expense. I don't want to mess with the IRS.
I bought my solar equipment 2 years ago and didn't install it untill last year. I was able to take advantage of the tax credits over 2 years so far. I'm planning on adding 4 more 325 watt panels for a total of 14 panels and 4550 watts. Plus I'm going to add a 1500 watt wind turbine. I'll buy this equipment this year, take the 30% credit, and install it next year, again taking the credits. The tax credit drops to 24% (I think) for 2020 and much less after that. The credits cover; equipment, tree removal, concrete, crane, excavation, labor etc.
FYI, if any of the Socialist candidates currently running for office win, there could be electric shortages in the future. Or at the very least the rates will skyrocket. I'm not trying to bring politics in to this conversation, but this is part of their plan and we should all prepare for it.
 
Thanks Arctic for the additional information. Yep, I going to try to fit in as much as I can this year while the Tax Credit is at it's max. I also agree that we can expect massive rate increases when (it is not a matter of "if" but "when") the democrats get back in charge.
 
Once the Liberals get back in power, they will also be attempting to charge you for your Solar power consumption, to help balance out the charges for the less fortunate.
 
Once the Liberals get back in power, they will also be attempting to charge you for your Solar power consumption, to help balance out the charges for the less fortunate.
That's already happening in some areas. Any time that you have to buy a permit from the government for anything, it's the same as paying a tax. Also some utility companies have managed to bill people on solar. Their reasoning is that they're losing revenue. I'm not too worried about any of this in my area.
 

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