NJ Solar Grant Programs
May 30, 2008
NJ has taken a very proactive step to provide incentives for businesses, non profits, municipalities and homeowners to join their effort to reduce the energy demand by 20% by the year 2020.
We are currently seeing an annual 1.5% increase in electric demand. At the current growth of demand, we face the problem of not being able to produce enough electric in the next 8 – 10 years.
The result will be rolling brownouts to help satisfy this demand.
NJ has intoduced a SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credits ) program that will pay you for each 1000 kwh of electric you produce for a gaurenteed 15 year period. The SREC is designed to cover 50% of the total cost of installation.
Businesses also can take advantage of the 30% Federal tax Credit.
Combine these incentives along with the energy you produce, many are finding the ROI to finally make sense.
Non Profits and Municipalities are not eligible for these tax incentives and as a result grants are available to help assist with the cost of installation.
Click on the link provided below to see what grants are available in NJ for those interested in joining the solar parade.
http://www.nj.gov/dca/hmfa/biz/devel/gho/downloads/resources/08njgreenbuilding_resources.pdf
To learn more about the benifits of solar or to recieve a free estimate, you may email george@hbsadvantage.com
Hutchinson Business Solutions
Creating Opportunities Today………………….Providing Saving for Tomorrow
U.S. Personal Spending Slowed in April
May 30, 2008
Excerps as reported on Bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) — U.S. personal spending slowed in April after record fuel costs, a slump in home values and a deteriorating job market eroded consumer confidence.
The 0.2 percent gain in spending followed a 0.4 percent increase in March, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. Incomes grew 0.2 percent, bolstered in part by the government’s tax rebates. Separate reports showed business activity dropped for a fourth month in May and consumer sentiment decreased to the lowest level since 1980.
Retailing stocks slumped after the figures reinforced forecasts for spending growth to slow this quarter to the weakest pace since 1991. J.Crew Group Inc., the casual-clothing retailer, reduced its earnings forecast late yesterday, citing a nationwide drop in the number of shoppers visiting its stores.
“Consumers are spending cautiously,” said Michael Moran, chief economist at Daiwa Securities America Inc. in New York, who correctly forecast the gain in spending. “The economy is in a grey area between recession and slow growth.”
Our Perspective:
Food, fuel, energy, homes and jobs! What else should we include to know that we are going thru a tough time.
Food, fuel and energy cost are increasing at record rates!
I saw on the news last night that natural gas prices are going up 20% in Phila. PA starting in June.
Electric prices in NJ are going up 14% starting in June.
Gas is breaking thru the $4.00 barrier and are projected to keep going up. I have heard reports of $5 -$7 gas by the end of the summer.
What do you think this will do to the already rising food prices?
I heard a report yesterday on NPR that consumers sales of Spam ( the noted mistery meat ) is on a rise. Spam was fed to soldiers in the field during WWII, now it is filling our refrigerators.
Is there a bright side?
Yes! This is America. We can make our voices heard and take steps to make sure in the future, proper steps are taken to insure stability. By ignoring the issues of the past we have created the problems of today. We have to stop putting bandaids on and take the necessary steps to provide long term solutions.
Hutchinson Business Solutions is dedicated to thinking “outside the box.” We work closely with our clients creating opportunities for savings while increasing efficiencies. Our solutions make sense today with our eyes focused toward the future.
Maybe it is time for our Government to introduce some ” Out of the Box ” solutions. Complacency has brought us to face the issues before us today.
Your comments are welcomed. You may email george@hbsadvantage.com with any questions and to discuss the steps to take to increase profits for your company.
‘Squawk Box’ Guest Warns of $12-15-a-Gallon Gas
May 21, 2008
Excepts as reorted on CNBC:
Robert Hirsch, an energy advisor, says CNBC morning show prediction was a citation of the ‘Dean of Oil Analysts.’
It may be the mother of all doom and gloom gas price predictions: $12 for a gallon of gas is “inevitable.”
Robert Hirsch, Management Information Services Senior Energy Advisor, gave a dire warning about the potential future of gas prices on CNBC’s May 20 “Squawk Box”. He told host Becky Quick there was no single thing that would solve the problem, due to the enormity of the problem.
“[T]he prices that we’re paying at the pump today are, I think, going to be ‘the good old days,’ because others who watch this very closely forecast that we’re going to be hitting $12 and $15 per gallon,” Hirsch said. “And then, after that, when oil –
world oil production goes into decline, we’re going to talk about rationing. In other words, not only are we going to be paying high prices and have considerable economic problems, but in addition to that, we’re not going to be able to get the fuel when we want it.”
Our Perspective:
We have continued to ignore the inevitable. Back in the 70’s, when they introduced odd even day gas rationing, we were only paying $.30 a gallon. We all were fuming saying never again. We got to do something about this!
We grew complacient and prices continued to rise over the next 30+ years. Now we are paying $4.00 a gallon. Now a statement is being made to expect $12- $15 a gallon!
What are we doing to rid ourselves of this dependency?
Are we driving smaller cars?
Are we investing in alternative fuel options?
I think it is time to start speaking out. Let’s look at the alternatives.
The future rest in our ability to think outside the box.
Let me know how you feel? You may email george@hbsadvantage.com
Draft NJ Energy Master Plan
May 19, 2008
The state of New Jersey has found they are in a dilemma.:
Demand for electricity is projected to grow at 1.5% a year for the next 8 to 10 years.
Electric prices are treanding at a 10% increase.
NJ current facilities are not designed to handle the increased demand. As a result, NJ may be faced with rolling brown outs in the next 8 – 10 years.
To address this issue the state has drafted an Enegy Master Plan.
It is designed to incentize the public to invest in clean or green energy alternatives that will help reduce energy demand 22.5% by 2020.
Click on the link provided below to read the draft and feel free to contact george@hbsadvantage.com to learn more about solar incentives available for your business.
http://www.state.nj.us/emp/home/docs/pdf/summary.pdf
Visit www.hutchinsonbusinesssolutions.com to learn more about opportunities available to create savings and increase profitability.
As reported in Huffington Post
WASHINGTON — First the good news: The worst of the painful housing slump and the credit crunch might come to an end this year. Now the bad: The economy will weaken further and unemployment will rise.
That’s the latest outlook from forecasters in a survey to be released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics, also known by its acronym NABE. It will take time for any rays of light to poke through the economic clouds, though.
A growing number of economists believe the country is on the brink of a recession or in one already, dragged down by all the problems in housing, credit and financial markets. Now 56 percent of the economists think the economy has started or will enter a recession this year. That’s up from 45 percent in a survey in February. If there is a recession, it probably will be short and shallow, economists said.
Forecasters downgraded their projections for economic growth. They now predict the economy, which grew by 2.2 percent last year, will slow to 1.4 percent this year. That’s lower than the 1.8 percent growth projected in February. If the new figure proves correct, it would mark the weakest growth since the last recession in 2001.
Next year, the economy should grow by 2.3 percent, less than previously forecast and a pace that is still considered subpar.
“Although housing and credit markets will gradually loosen their grip, U.S economic growth is expected to only slowly return to health,” said Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, president of NABE and chief economist at Ford Motor Co.
Given the outlook for sluggish overall economic activity, companies are likely to remain cautious in their spending and hiring.
The unemployment rate, which averaged 4.6 percent last year, will move higher. Forecasters predict the jobless rate will hit 5.3 percent this year and 5.6 percent next year.
Forecasters are hopeful that the housing slump _ in terms of home sales _ will hit bottom this year. However, economists were divided over whether the low point would be reached in the second, third or fourth quarters of this year. House prices, though, are still expected to drop this year and next.
On the credit front, economists predict conditions will improve in the second half of this year.
“The economy is still going to be weak in the very near term, but the worst is likely to end this year with respect to the housing decline and the credit crunch,” said Lynn Reaser, chief economist at Bank of America’s Investment Strategies Group, who was involved in the NABE survey. The survey of 52 forecasters was conducted April 17 through May 1.
Weakness in housing was cited as the factor most responsible for the economy’s troubles. That was closely followed by credit problems and high energy, food and commodity prices.
With food prices marching upward, gasoline prices closing in on $4 a gallon nationwide and oil hitting a record high near $128 a barrel, inflation should rise. Consumer prices will increase 3.6 percent this year, up from a previous forecast of a 3 percent rise. Next year, prices should calm down a bit, with the inflation rate clocking in at 2.4 percent.
To bolster the economy, the Federal Reserve has been cutting a key interest rate since last September. However, when the Fed last lowered rates, in April to 2 percent, policymakers signaled that their rate-cutting campaign may be drawing to a close. Fed policymakers are concerned that moving rates lower could aggravate inflation. At the same time, they are hopeful that their powerful rate cuts plus the government’s $168 billion stimulus package of tax rebates for people and tax breaks for businesses will lift the country out of its slump.
The forecasters believe the Fed will hold its key rate steady at 2 percent though the rest of this year. However, they predict the Fed will start bumping up rates next year to ward off inflation. They believe the Fed’s key rate will rise to 3 percent by the end of 2009.
Economists, meanwhile, had mixed thoughts about the extent to which tax rebates will be spent this year. The more spent, the more energizing effect they will have on the economy. Roughly 35 percent thought households will spend 26 to 50 percent of the rebates, while a quarter believe 25 percent or less would be spent. Thirty-one percent thought 51 to 75 percent would be spent.
“We’re likely to see the boost from tax rebates fading later in the year,” Reaser predicted. “The recovery is expected to be quite muted.”
To find out more on this topic email george@hbsadvantage.com . We would like to hear your views or address any questions.
Foreclosures Climb 65% as Loan Workouts Fall Short
May 14, 2008
An excerp from Bloomberg.com
May 14 (Bloomberg) — U.S. foreclosure filings climbed 65 percent and bank seizures more than doubled in April from a year earlier as mortgage industry efforts to modify loans fell short.
More than 243,300 properties were in some stage of foreclosure, the highest monthly total since RealtyTrac Inc., a seller of default data, began in January 2005. One in every 519 households received a filing and Nevada, California and Florida had the highest rates. Filings rose 4 percent from March.
The worst housing slump since the Great Depression may push the U.S. economy into a recession. Falling home prices, which dropped the most in 29 years in the first quarter, are making it tougher for homeowners to refinance, and voluntary programs to change loan terms for at-risk borrowers haven’t helped enough people, said Ira Rheingold, executive director of the National Association of Consumer Advocates in Washington.
“Loan modification isn’t working,” Rheingold said. “It’s extremely difficult for a homeowner to talk to a servicer and even if they do, it’s hard to get the servicer to change the terms. You get voice-mail hell, they don’t return calls, you can’t get a live person on the phone.”
Foreclosures are mounting even as the Bush administration and Congress propose relief for homeowners. The Democrat-led U.S. House of Representatives approved a $300 billion plan May 8 that would allow the government to insure refinanced mortgages. Acting Housing and Urban Development Secretary Roy Bernardi said the next day he was willing to compromise on the proposal after Republican President George W. Bush threatened to veto it.
Our perspective:
Has our own greed led to this?
On our part, we find we always want more. That extends to the next level of the people providing. They also want more. More deals means more money. It becomes a vicious cycle.
However; are good people being preyed upon?
Some find in wanting to provide more for their family, they get taken advantage of. These are the real victims. More should be done to help these individuals. Instead, the banks would rather look past the individual and just foreclose. Put the problem behind them.
Do they forget that they helped perpetuate the problem?
The system is broken and has to be rebuilt. We must remember that we are here to help one another. Do unto others as you would want done unto you.
How would you answer that?
Let us know your thoughts? You may email george@hbsadvantage.com
New Jersey Commercial Solar Business Incentives
May 9, 2008
|
The Basics of Solar Electricity |
The Economics of Solar Power |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 1, 2008 – PSE&G Rate Increase 12.1% |
| June 1, 2008 – JCP&L Rate Increase 13% |
|
With the rising cost of fuel oil and natural gas, the power companies have announced these increases to cover their costs to produce electricity for resale. A solar system on your roof, generating all or part of the electricity you use, would greatly reduce the impact of these increases on your monthly budget. |
|
Stop Depending on the Utility Companies – Produce Your Own Electricity |
|
A solar electric system will not reduce the amount of fuel oil or natural gas you use to heat your home, but it will reduce the amount used by your electric company to generate electricity for resale. By generating your own electricity, you will reduce the amount you purchase from the utility company, thereby reducing what they need to generate. It’s truly a win-win for everyone! |
| Rebates and credits for solar systems and renewable energy are currently available from both the State of New Jersey and the Federal Government. |
| Residential Rebates: |
| State of New Jersey Closed in December 2007, pending Clean Energy Bill |
| Federal Tax Credit Up to $2,000 |
| Commercial Rebates: |
| State of New Jersey Closed in December 2007, pending Clean Energy Bill |
| Federal Tax Credit 30% of System |
| Equipment Depreciation 5 Years Accelerated |
| USDA Grants and Loans Available for specified rural areas |
| With available rebates and tax credits, your out-of-pocket costs are approximately one-third the cost of your system. However, the return on your investment can be 15% or more. Return on your investment comes in two forms. First is the reduction in your electric bill. A solar system can reduce your bill by 50% or more, depending on its’ size and your usage. Second is the sale of SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) back to the utility companies. This value varies depending on supply and demand.
For more information about NJ commercial incentive program you may email george@hbsadvantage.com. Hutchinson Business Solutions…..Creating Opportunities Today…….Providing Savings for Tomorrow. Visit us on the web www.hutchinsonbusinesssolutions.com |
New Jersey’s Solar Solution
May 8, 2008
New exciting energy saving opportunity for New Jersey!
As electric cost continueto rise, you will find that New jersey has taken a very aggressive step in promoting clean solutions to reduce electric demand.
Federal aand State credits and incentives provide a perfect opportunity and takes a significant step in controlling future electric costs as well as providing a ROI that finally makes sense.
Currently New jersey recieves 1.6% of their energy from clean energy sources. With the demand for electric increasing at a rate of 1.5% a year, New Jersey has committed to increasing renewable energy sources to 22.5% by the year 2020.
Why, you may ask?
With the growing demand for electric, New Jersey faces the issue of brown outs in their future.
How do you think the public would react to that?
The Solution……
Harness the Sun’s Energy….
Going Solar!
. Below is an outline of the steps recently taken that makes this investment desirable.
- Federal Government provides 30% tax credit.
- PSEG will be paying SREC’s (Solar Renewable Energy Certificate) each time a solar electric system generates 1000kwh of electricity.
- Your electric bill will be decreased by the value of the electric you are generating.
- Full 7% State Sales Tax Exemption
- Federal Guidelines allow for 5 year accelerated Depreciation of basis.
- Low interest loans available thru PSEG
Hutchinson Business Solutions has formed a strategic partnership with BP Solar, a world leader in providing solar solutions. They are the only company that has been making solar panels longer than their warranty (30 years).
They offer a full 25-year warranty on the equipment and a full 10-year warranty on the installation.
Solar …..The New Sexy
To learn more about the new solar incentives in New Jersey contact george@hbsadvantage.com
The Future of Energy is Now!
PSE&G approved for Solar Loan package
May 8, 2008
As reported in MSN money
BPU approves innovative initiative to help meet New Jersey’s aggressive renewable energy goals $105 million investment in solar loans to begin
NEWARK, N.J., April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) today received approval from state regulators to begin offering $105 million in loans to help finance the installation of solar systems on homes, businesses and municipal buildings throughout its electric service area. The funding will provide a source of stable, secure capital to spur additional investment in solar energy.
“Now that the Board has approved our proposal, we will move as quickly as possible to begin offering solar loans to developers and customers,” said Ralph LaRossa, president and COO of PSE&G. “We welcome this new opportunity to play a strong role in meeting the state’s aggressive renewable and conservation goals, and reduce carbon emissions.”
Initially the program will only be available to non-residential customers. PSE&G needs approval from the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance to provide direct loans to residential customers. There are also plans to review residential loan documents with a group of stakeholders before the program is offered to residential customers.
Filed with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) last April, the innovative proposal was the first of a number of new plans the company announced during 2007 as part of a long-term, comprehensive strategy to combat climate change.
Since then, PSE&G has invested in hybrid vehicles and biofuel, as well as energy efficient wires and transformers. The utility has also proposed a carbon abatement pilot program that would provide energy-saving measures such as home energy audits, programmable thermostats, attic insulation and high- efficiency lighting upgrades to residential and business customers.
PSE&G’s solar program addresses the goals put forth by the state through the Energy Master Plan process, and by the BPU through the renewable portfolio standard (RPS). Both call for the ability to meet 20 percent of the State’s energy needs with renewable energy by the year 2020. Solar is a Class I renewable energy supply resource and is specifically called for as a clean source of renewable energy in the state’s goals.
The proposal was reviewed by a stakeholder working group, which included BPU staff, the Department of the Public Advocate, solar developers and installers, large energy users, and other electric and gas utilities. These discussions led to a settlement agreement that resolves various issues, paving the way for today’s approval by the BPU. The program had received strong support from the solar industry, environmental advocates and the business community when it was first unveiled last year.
The program will support the development of 30 megawatts of solar power, designed to fulfill about 50 percent of the RPS requirements in PSE&G’s service area for the energy years 2009 and 2010. That’s enough electricity to power 24,000 homes and, in terms of CO2 emissions, is the equivalent of removing about 3,700 cars from the road.
Here are the major components of the program as approved by the BPU:
-- PSE&G's solar program will be open to all of its electric customers,
including low-income, residential, commercial, industrial and
municipal/governmental. The solar panels would be owned by the
developer or the host customer.
-- Applications will be available for two years and accepted on a
first-come, first-served basis until 30 megawatts of projects have
been developed.
-- PSE&G would provide loans to developers or customers to cover
approximately 40-60 percent of the cost of a solar installation
project, depending on the projected output of the solar energy system
and the cost of the system. The borrower would repay the principal,
plus interest, over 10 years for residential customers and over 15
years for all other borrowers, a considerably longer investment
timeframe than traditional lenders are willing to provide for solar
installations.
-- The remaining project cost would be funded by the owner of the solar
installation. The owner may have access to funds from banks and
investors. In addition, the owner may be eligible for a federal
investment tax credit. (Utilities are currently not eligible for
this tax incentive.)
-- Owners of solar energy systems would repay the loan with Solar
Renewable Energy Certificates or SRECs, which are created every time
the system generates solar electricity. It takes one megawatthour of
solar generation to create one SREC, which has value in the
marketplace. An SREC is a New Jersey tradable product that
represents the clean energy benefits of electricity generated from a
solar energy system. For the purposes of this program, an SREC is
valued at the market price or $475, whichever is higher. Borrowers
could also repay the loans in cash.
-- PSE&G's electric customers will pay for the cost of the solar program
through the Solar Pilot Recovery Charge (SPRC), which will be
included in the delivery part of their monthly bill. PSE&G will sell
the SRECs it receives for loan repayment in an auction, and credit
the proceeds from the sale to customers through the SPRC, which will
offset a portion of the program costs.
Customers interested in learning more about PSE&G’s program should visit http://www.pseg.com/solarloan, send an email to george@hbsadvantage.com to learn more about solar opportunities available for you company.
Recent State and Federal credits and incentives have made Solar Sexy again.
An except as reported on Bloomberg.com
May 7 (Bloomberg) — U.S productivity unexpectedly accelerated in the first quarter, helping combat inflation, as job cuts meant the remaining employees did more work.
Productivity, a measure of worker efficiency, rose at a 2.2 percent annual rate after a 1.8 percent gain the prior quarter, the Labor Department said today in Washington. A separate report showed pending sales of existing homes fell for the fourth time in five months, signaling no end in sight to the housing recession.
Federal Reserve policy makers anticipate that the economic slowdown and weakening job market will contain consumer prices, and today’s figures may bolster their case. Companies trimmed staff hours by the most in five years last quarter as they tried to cope with the housing-led economic downturn, the data showed.
“Productivity is solid and labor costs are slowing and this will take the pressure off inflation and the Federal Reserve,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “Unit labor costs have essentially come to a grinding halt and that should support corporate profits and allow businesses to hold the line on prices.”
Our Perspective:
Seems like there is always a silver lining!
Unemployment rates are up and the remaining forces are working harder because they are probably just as scared about losing their jobs.
The middle class squeeze!
We deserve better and we should be working to insure that everyone has an opportunity to make a good and fair wage. There is always a lot of rhetoric. It is time to take steps to correct the mistakes of the past and offer everyone the opportunity for a brighter future.
It is all within our grasp. We just have to change the way we view things and place ourselves in each situation.
Then what would be your next step?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Let us know your thoughts? You may email george@hbsadvantage.com
Hutchinson Business Solutions 