Click HERE to see the Video
Florida Matters piece presented by WUSF by Larry Elliston, shows what one Florida resident did to dramatically reduce utility bills, help the environment and invest in her own future, with the help of Solar Direct. Learn More at our website dedicated to Florida Solar Renewable Technologies: www.florida-solar.com
Our economy is in shambles, we are dependent on hostile regions of the
world for our energy, and our environment is critically endangered.
Yet Tallahassee refuses to act on the most sensible solution for long-term
funding for clean energy programs.
There is a way to move forward and start the wheels of the new
green economy in Florida now. With the average homeowner investing
only a small amount of energy savings from one CFL light bulb, we can
build a multimillion-dollar, comprehensive, renewable energy
development program that will lay the groundwork of a new industry.
For the commercial consumer, it would mean saving just less than one-
half of 1% of their electrical use.
This is surely the least we can do as Floridians to get our state on
track and possibly begin to lead in the new clean energy technology of
today. Take the time now and pledge your support, then send a letter
to Governor Crist to let him know we need his leadership on this
crucial issue. Help us build a groundswell of support for action over
inaction, positive solutions over political discord, and public
interest over special interest.
If you haven’t already, click here to pledge your support for the
Florida Clean Energy Trust Fund proposal: http://www.flcleanenergy.org/pledge.html
Click here to send a letter to the governor:
http://capwiz.com/re-action/issues/alert/?alertid=12604871&type=sw
Learn more about the Florida Clean Energy Trust Fund here:
http://www.flcleanenergy.org/index.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Florence Search, a 5th Grade teacher at Perkins Elementary in St Petersburg, was selected by renowned Film Producer and Storyteller, Larry Elliston, as a featured story for the WUSF TV PBS broadcast of the new Florida Matters Television series airing Friday February 13th at 8pm and Sunday February 15th at 9:30am. There will also be an appearance by Dr. Charlie Crist, of St Petersburg, the father of Florida’s Governor. The subject of this week’s program is Sustainability and Environmental Consciousness.
The story is all about the teacher, Florence Search’s commitment to environmental responsibility and how it can really reduce your utility bills. “Flo is such a perfect Florida story,” Larry says, after filming her teaching her class about the virtues of solar and the sustainable lifestyle. Her students were so excited about her lesson, that one of the best sounds bites comes from a student who says, “I always wanted to know someone who lives in a solar powered house only to find out it was my teacher.”
After filming in the classroom, Larry takes his cameras to the teacher’s St Petersburg home where she also teaches her neighbors and fellow Floridians how you can convert a poorly performing financial investment into a much better investment in Florida sunlight which has reduced her $300 per month utility bill to almost nothing. Florence had Solar Direct, of Bradenton install solar which produces electric, makes her hot water, and even powers her swimming pool pump. “She really practices what she teaches, and I was really impressed by her,” states Larry Elliston.
Dr. Charlie Crist, the Governor’s father and a recent solar pool heating system owner of Solar Direct, also makes an appearance and speaks about his son’s support and future of solar in Florida.
It’s official, the holidays have come for Teco and Progress Energy, Power Companies in Florida. The Florida Public Service Commission has approved a whopping 25% rate increase for Progress Energy, This comes after a 3rd quarter earnings report of over 306 MILLION! A 12% increase across the board for Teco was approved as well, with a further increase possible in May.
It doesn’t just stop there either, Florida power and Light asked to raise their rates by over 7% in the coming year as well to cover “increasing energy costs” while crude oil prices have fallen to 50% of July prices!
These increases come at a time when many families are struggling with cut hours, lost jobs, mortgage problems and a weakened economy.
It’s time Floridian’s stop lining the pockets of these energy companies with their hard earned money. Luckily for Floridians there has never been a better time to actually DO something about this. A provision was added in The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 A.k.a. “The Bailout Bill” that removed the $2000 cap on residential solar systems and extended the Investment Tax Credits.
What this means for Florida residents is that now the federal government will pay for up to 30% of the entire cost of having a solar energy system, Solar hot water or other qualifying renewable technology installed in your home or business though tax credits. To that Floridians can add our state’s generous incentive program which provides an amazing $4 PER WATT rebate on solar electric, $500 for Solar Thermal and even a $100 bonus for those who use a Solar pool heater (Which already has an extremely low pay back in as little as 1 year in some cases).
When we show people projections of how much their solar system will save, we show payback times and estimate a 5% increase in energy each year, it’s becoming more and more evident as time goes on that 5% is just too conservative, rates are increasing at a faster pace than anticipated and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Escaping the financial grip of the electric companies is just one reason for solar among many. Reducing carbon emissions, helping the environment, saving money, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and setting an example for your community are all important benefits of making the switch. Call us today to find out how you can!
www.SolarDirect.com/Learn
1-800-333-WARM (9276)
Solar Direct is applying for a grant from the Florida Energy Office to help promote solar energy to Floridians. Our proposal is to demonstrate and promote the use of solar powered swimming pool pumps.
We are seeking Florida pool owners who would agree to have a solar powered pool pump installed at their home. You would commit to providing payment for 50% of the normal cost for installation, and funds from the grant plus promotion discounts from Solar Direct and the equipment manufacture would pay for the remaining portion.
You benefit by getting a system that sells for $8500 for half price plus reducing your cost of electric to run your existing pool pump – a savings of approximately $50 per month off your electric bill.
PLUS the Solar Pool Pump qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit so you end up paying only $2,975 after the grant/rebates, that is a 65% savings off the retail price.
After the installation, you would co-host a community event where visitors could come to see the system and learn about the benefits of solar. We would also highlight any other solar or renewable systems that you already have purchased from Solar Direct.
Your commitment of your time and home for the event would also receive matching funds from the state to help promote solar energy.
By signing the Commitment Letter you are agreeing to participate if the grant is approved and funded; however, there is no legal requirement that you participate or make any payment in the event unforeseen circumstances prevent your involvement at any time in the future.
If this project interests you please join us in bringing an innovative new technology to Florida!
» Click here to view the commitment letter
OR
» Email Solar Direct for More information
If the grant is approved, your installation be funded and completed in 2009 or 2010.
Your commitment letter will help us secure the grant funds, and will help bring the message of clean renewable energy to more Floridians. Please act today; our deadline for receiving your letter is November 14th 2008. We deeply appreciate your help in raising awareness and creating clean energy jobs in Florida.
What you can do:
We are asking everyone to call their Senators and urge them to extend the solar investment tax credit to 8 years and eliminate the $2000 cap on residential solar. You should also voice your overall support for HR6049, the Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008.
Please call the Chief-of-Staff as soon as possible and make the following points:
· According to Navigant Consulting, 116,000 jobs and $20 billion in capital investment are at stake in 2009 alone.
· Not extending the solar credits is an enormous tax increase that will cost American jobs.
· The clean energy tax incentives play a vital role in creating new high-wage American jobs, spurring economic growth, promoting consumer purchases of energy efficient products, lowering energy bills for consumers and businesses, and of course reducing global warming pollution. The incentives also help the U.S. catch up with other countries on the development and deployment of clean energy technologies.
· It is outrageous that Congress wants to spend $110 billion on energy security in Iraq, but won’t spend a dime on energy security in the United States.
· The extension of the ITC recently passed the Senate in the Cantwell-Ensign Amendment by a vote of 88-8.
Arguments for extending the Commercial ITC for 8-years (as opposed to 6):
· An 8-year extension of the ITC encourages development and deployment of numerous solar energy technologies. For CSP, a shorter-term extension dictates that only solar technologies that currently have signed utility contracts will benefit.
· The utility-scale solar industry is in an emerging stage, marked by tremendous innovation, competition and creativity. An 8-year extension of the ITC is necessary to establish solar energy’s competitiveness with fossil fuel generation.
· An 8-year extension of the ITC allows the solar industry to be a large part of federal renewable electricity standards and climate policies.
· A 2006 study by the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) found that utility-scale CSP plants have the potential to begin competing directly with conventional power technologies by 2015 if the current 30% income tax credit is extended through that time frame.
Arguments for total elimination of the $ cap on the Residential ITC (as opposed to doubling to $4,000)
· The proposed $4000 cap represents only 4%-10% of the actual cost of a residential system and will fail to stimulate market growth.
· The catalytic effect of beneficial tax treatment will not be realized without total elimination of the cap. The residential market growth will be limited to states with generous incentives.
You should also feel free to e-mail your Senators office. To locate your Senators’ Washington phone number, go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt and type in your company’s zip code. Alternatively, you can reach your Senators’ offices through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121.
Every day that passes without an extension places more American jobs at risk. Already clean energy projects in the U.S. are being put on hold while overseas growth in jobs and the manufacturing of equipment is surging overseas. This is slowing our transition towards energy independence and our ability to remain competitive in the new clean economy that is going to be a huge part of the future.
As early as Thursday morning, the Senate will take up the tax extenders legislation – HR 6049, the Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008.
Senator Reid filed a cloture petition on the motion to proceed to H.R. 6049, the Energy Tax Extenders bill before adjourning this afternoon. Under the rules a vote will occur on Tuesday. The vote will be on proceeding to debate on a substitute amendment to HR 6049.
As of now, the final content of that amendment is still under discussion. The store is open and Chairman Baucus is soliciting suggestions from Republicans in exchange for their support of the underlying measure. NOW IS THE TIME TO GET R’S TO REQUEST ANY CHANGES TO THE MEASURE, (8-year extension, total elimination of the residential monetary cap, etc…) The final version of the bill will be fully paid for. The one exception to this may be an AMT fix that is included in the final version.
