How can federal facilities make the economics of solar work for them, given the long payback period? Are there financial incentives available to help them pay for solar roofs?
Solar energy systems meet federal life-cycle cost requirements in situations where they are providing high-value power or where the cost of alternatives is high. All costs must be considered in comparing solar to other options, however. For remote systems, the government considers the cost of transporting fuel to a site, and the risk and cost of fuel spills during transit or storage. Solar energy is often the least-cost alternative when a project involves building an electricity distribution line. The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has many examples of cost-effective solar installations on its Web site. Federal facilities may also qualify for state or utility incentive programs for using renewable energy. In Hawaii, the Coast Guard and the Navy have used a utility rebate to buy down the cost of thousands of solar hot water systems. Check the DSIRE Web site for more information about state incentives for renewable energy. Direct financial support for federal renewable energy p
Related Questions
- How can federal facilities make the economics of solar work for them, given the long payback period? Are there financial incentives available to help them pay for solar roofs?
- How much can I save using a solar hot water system? / What is the payback period?
- How long is the payback period on a solar hot water system?