Solar Subsidies and Small Business

With all the publicity about the push for energy independence and “going green,” it is easy to assume that solar energy products practically sell themselves.  This may hold true on the West coast, or in states with added incentives to encourage solar investment, but not in our part of the country.

The misconceptions may stem in part from the 30% tax credit offered by the Federal government for investing in solar energy.  These rebates directly benefit the consumer.¹ There are no rebates offered to those of us marketing solar energy products.   As a matter of fact, the company must pay excise tax on all solar energy equipment delivered from another state.  Most solar equipment is manufactured in California and the cost to ship products to the middle of the country remains high, not to mention the overhead required to operate a small business.  Add costs for marketing, insurance and labor and you can see how the costs can add up in a hurry.  In a global economy, even small business must keep their profit margins low in order to remain competitive.

Sun City Solar Energy has been in business since 1983, and the company is proud to be the most experienced and knowledgeable provider and installer of quality solar equipment in the area.  As such, Sun City Solar is contacted on a regular basis by individuals, architects, engineers, municipalities, electricians, plumbers and other professionals seeking information about the proper design, layout, equipment specifications, sizing and numerous other questions about solar energy.  Although we are happy to promote solar energy, giving this information to individuals, companies, agencies and design professionals for free does nothing to keep our doors open.

Small businesses new to solar have a very steep learning curve, especially if the owners believe they can take advantage of stimulus money available for renewable energy.  As taxpayers, we are grateful the government accepts only the lowest bid for the solar applications for local, state and federal government projects.  The bottom line is that only large companies able to buy equipment in bulk at discount prices will be able to win a low bid government project.  And there is no guarantee that because a company is large, the margin for error decreases.  Sun City has been able to capitalize on redesign and repair of systems installed by companies both large and small.

There are the programs funded by the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009), which are publicized specifically to benefit small businesses.  These programs have fallen far short of their intentions.  Solar is a relatively new technology, and some of the government projects sent out to bid are not properly designed or do not specify correct equipment.  Small businesses that win a low bid further complicate the problem because they do not have the knowledge or experience to properly execute the project.  The end result is that a small business may win the battle, but lose the war.  In other words, the small business will win the bid and add revenue to their bottom line, but go out of business because they are not profitable. Also, a company that bids the job too low ends up substituting inferior products in an effort to keep the overall cost within the amount bid.  Often, this ends up being a lose / lose situation for small businesses and the government.  The government ends up getting an inferior product and the small business loses money because they are not familiar with the equipment and/or installation. The bid did not include all the system products or the business is unable to provide the extensive warranties required by the government.

A recent study ranking 160 countries according to their dedication to the promotion of environmental stewardship ranked the US 61^st on the list.  As a whole, Americans are not willing to change their lifestyle for short or long term benefits.  Sun City Solar Energy has devoted many decades to promoting, encouraging and providing quality solar energy systems to improve the quality of life for our customers and future generations.  It has been a challenging, interesting and rewarding journey.  We encourage you to learn about the benefits of solar and become part of the solution for energy independence at SunCityEnergy.com.

“What’s the use of a fine house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?”
- Henry David Thoreau

Are you one of the millions of people starting a diet and exercise program in 2010?  You might want to consider putting your budget on a diet and trim your energy costs, too.  Looking back on 2009, if you were one of the savvy investors that decided to put solar on your home or business, you are well on your way to trimming your budget and fattening your savings. And, like a big chunk of dark chocolate, the government will give you an unlimited 30% tax rebate this year to sweeten the deal.  Your solar investment is like an exercise program that keeps on giving all year long.  What a great reward for contributing to your energy independence and a cleaner and brighter tomorrow.

When you subtract the initial cost and add up the benefits, installing a solar system was one of the best decisions you made last year.  Think of the health benefits to your budget and the planet if you had the forethought to install a solar energy system five, ten, or even twenty years ago.  Think of all the extra money you would have for food, clothing, mortgage payment, vacations, college, – whatever you need to ensure a long and healthy life.  And investing in solar will only get better because. . .

Yes, Virginia, the New Year started with yet another rate hike from the local utility in Oklahoma. If Santa came down the chimney, he probably ate all the cookies because he needs to store energy for the long winters at the North Pole. Those of us that depend on gas and electricity for our heating and cooling don’t have the same luxury. We don’t get free “cookies.”  Some of us may even toss our cookies when we get our utility bills after the blizzard of 2009.

If you haven’t received a rate increase where you live, chances are, there is one in the works.  When you invest in a solar system, you own your own utility company.  Money you will pay to the utility company will be applied to a power system that uses free, non-polluting energy from the sun. All those utility rate hikes continue to enhance the value of your solar energy investment.

Sun City Solar has been helping people in the Midwest and Mid South with solar energy applications since 1983. If you want to become a lean, mean energy consumption fighting machine, call one of the solar consultants at Sun City Solar. The professionals are well-versed in the technology, market trends and are ready, willing and able to answer your questions. Our solar experts will identify the best system under the sun to fit your needs. Stop by one of our showrooms today and learn how you, too, can be a part of the solution. Call 918-494-0886 today, and become energy fit for the future.

Now is the Time to Invest in Solar and Save for the Years Ahead

Do you wish you had invested in Wal-Mart, Coca Cola, Microsoft, or any number of other companies when they first offered stock options?  These companies made many ordinary investors into millionaires. Much like these savvy investors, many homeowners had the foresight to harness the sun and purchased a Sun City Solar system decades ago.  The homeowner’s solar systems are working today, and continue to save families thousands of dollars on their utility bills.

Do you ever check your utility bill for accuracy?  Do you understand all the taxes and fees that are added to your bill every month?  Would you like an alternative to the high cost of electricity?  Don’t you wish you had a portion of the money you have paid the utility companies over the years?

You have the opportunity to take advantage of the sun’s free energy, and earn a Federal tax credit in the bargain.  There is no better time to earn a portion of your own utility company.  Decades from now, you and your children will be able to look up at your solar system and look back on the thousands of dollars you put in your pocket instead of the utility company coffers.  The cost of electricity will not go down, but the money you save and invest in your own future will continue to grow.  Call Sun City Solar Energy today at (866) 407-0527, or visit SunCityEnergy.com and start investing in a better tomorrow for yourself and future generations.