Using the sun for energy has been around for centuries. The ancient Romans and Greeks used passive solar energy when they built their homes.  The first solar powered steam engine was built by Auguste Mouchout in 1861.  Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 for his research on the photoelectric effect. Various advances made the use of solar widespread in the past few decades in many industrialized nations. But it took the Arab oil embargo in October, 1971 for the US to realize the ramifications of depending entirely on oil for energy consumption.

Solar has come in and out of “fashion” over the past four decades, but 2009 will mark the year that solar became an accepted component of the United States mainstream energy use.  This is due to several issues:

• Tiered rate pricing including high electric taxes and fees
• High electric rate inflation
• Overall high solar gain in the US
• Federal (and some state and local) tax incentives
• Technological advances for increased efficiency
• The widespread use of fossil fuels resulting in global warming

On-going investments in solar energy and the support by local, state and federal government, as well as incentives of some utility providers, will continue to lower the cost and make solar a viable investment for many Americans.

Now is the time to take advantage of solar energy systems.  To find out more, visit our website at SunCitySolar.com, or call one of our solar consultants at 918-494-0886.

More Good News for Investing in Solar Energy

The measures enacted by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress on February 11, 2009, are nominally worth $787 billion of which $6 billion are allocated for renewable energy and electric transmission technologies.  Additionally, $4.5 billion was allocated to make federal office buildings more energy efficient and $6.3 billion was reserved for increasing energy efficiency in federally supported housing projects.

There are numerous grants available for renewable energy and renewable energy loan guarantees.  If you are one of the newly unemployed looking to diversify for the economic downturn, the government has appropriated $500 million to fund “green Collar” jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency.  Many local community colleges and technology centers are recruiting professionals to educate the trades about solar and related renewable energy technologies.

Besides provisions for individuals and businesses to encourage investment in solar energy, the Act made the Business Energy Tax Credit a permanent part of the Tax Code.  These industry tax credits should not be confused with the 30% tax rebate available to individuals and businesses for solar hot water, solar electric and related applications.  For a better understanding of the various credits available to individuals and businesses offered by your state, you can log onto www.dsireusa.org/.

Solar energy is a fairly new technology, and the requirements to qualify for the numerous tax credits offered by the federal government can be complicated. If you have specific questions about how you benefit from the solar tax credits, you should consult a certified public accountant or tax attorney.  For more information, you can also contact one of the expert solar consultants at Sun City Energy at 918-494-0886.  SunCityEnergy.com – Energy at the Speed of Light.

Sun City Solar Commercial Energy (SCSCE) received notification from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board that they are now licensed for commercial solar energy installations in Arkansas.SCSCE is the only contractor in the state of Arkansas to be awarded a commercial solar energy license.

Stinchcomb said he is excited to be the first commercial licensed solar contractor in Arkansas. To qualify, applicants must have 5 years experience in solar energy installations. Due to owner Dwight Stinchcombs 8 years experience as a residential contractor and the hands on support of their distributor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 27 years experience in solar, the company was licensed.

Rising energy prices continue to take their toll on industries throughout the region. Stinchcomb stated, “This is an opportunity for commercial businesses to take immediate steps to reduce expenses and control their energy risks.”

Both residential and commercial customers can benefit from solar and help move our country toward energy independence. The Federal Tax Rebate of 30% plus the 5-year accelerated depreciation are additional reasons why many commercial companies are taking advantage of free energy from the sun.

For more information: contact John Gerrard at (479) 422-7037 or Visit website at SunCityEnergy.com.

BACKGROUND:
Sun City Solar Energy of the Ozarks (SCSE) is a Springdale company based in Arkansas, specializing in turn-key commercial and residential solar power, solar hot water and solar pool heaters. SCSE is owned by John Gerrard and Dwight Stinchcomb. They are an area dealer for Sun City Tulsa which has been in the solar energy business since 1983 and is this regions largest solar energy provider.