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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW City hosts solar energy workshop Saturday ... U-haul fire blocks lane of I-5 near Phoenix ... Ashland Calendar, Jan. 21, 2016 ... City hosts solar energy workshop Saturday ... U-haul fire blocks lane of I-5 near Phoenix ... Ashland Calendar, Jan. 21, 2016 ... ENERGY City hosts solar energy workshop Saturday Incentives help systems pay for themselves in about five years By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jan. 21, 2016 @ 5:26 pm Updated at 5:27 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jan. 21, 2016 @ 5:26 pm Updated at 5:27 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Carl Sager is one of a growing number of heliotropic homeowners in Ashland — 214 so far — who are taking advantage of the city’s solar electric tax credit of 50 cents per watt up to $7,500, a maximum which most people reach. That’s a lot of incentive to heliotrope (turn to the sun, like a sunflower) and, says Sager, it’s the right thing to do, environmentally. After all, 2015 just weighed in as the hottest year for the planet in human history. Solar systems work against that. The world is warming, mainly due to rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Most of the increase in temperature comes from man-made sources. These sources include the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, deforestation and livestock raising. “I got 16 solar panels, using the city’s tax credit,” Sager says of the 5.2 kilowatt system, “and it should have a payback time of 7.5 to eight years.” He also used state and federal tax incentives. Residential solar electric is booming and, because the state tax credit for commercial solar electric was wiped out four years ago, business installations are basically zilch, says Larry Giardina, city solar program coordinator. The city in 2015 processed 49 solar electric systems for homes, but none for businesses, he says. The city program started in 2003 and has handled a total of 26 commercial and 214 residential systems so far. For homeowners thinking about getting solar electric systems, the city and Environment Oregon are presenting a free, two-hour solar workshop for Ashland residents. It will show you how the solar incentive program works, how to qualify and how you can bring down its costs. It’s at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Community Center, 69 Winburn Way. Speakers are Giardina, Seaira Safady of Alternative Energy Systems in Talent, Eric Hansen of True South Solar in Ashland, Kirpal Khalso of Oregon SolarWorks in Rogue River and Charlie Fisher of Environment Oregon in Portland. To qualify for city tax incentives, the residence must be owner-occupied, be connected to electric service, be net-metered (able to give and receive electricity from the city) and not shaded too much by trees, as determined by a state formula. Matt Hunter, a resident of Bear Grass Village, a co-housing community here with 13 residences, says the Home Owners Association had money set aside for improvements. Solar electric at the community center was the investment that most agreed on. “It’s up and running. It was a values decision, which we did for the environment. It also was a good investment,” says Hunter. It’s considered a commercial array but, since it’s not an income-producing business, he says, it didn’t qualify for federal incentives. Installer Sadafy says an important development now is extension of the federal tax credit, which is set to expire at year’s end. “The main goal right now is to get information to people and get them excited,” says Sadafy. “It’s the best time now, because prices have never been so low. The incentives are good. Production is being ramped up. It’s possibly as low as it’s ever going to be.” The average payoff time is around five years, he adds, but solar can last 25 years, so the rest of it is free. “It’s a good time to install solar electric, because prices of installation have been declining over the years,” says Giardina, “and because people are recognizing the positive impact on climate.” At the workshop, Giardina will spell out one-time tax benefits: 30 percent residential and business federal credit; maximum $6,000 state credit; and 50 cents per watt city credit, up to $7,500. You can apply to him or do it through your solar contractor. Giardina will come out and evaluate your home and site. Contact him at 541-552-2065 or larry.giardina @ashland.or.us The workshop is free and open to the public. Attendees may RSVP at bit.ly/1n31cTa . The city’s policies on net metering and tax incentives are at bit.ly/coaosolar . John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jan. 21, 2016 @ 5:26 pm Updated at 5:27 PM » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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