Meeting Notes from January 16, 2012

Posted by on Jan 18, 2012 in Meetings | 0 comments

Meeting Notes

January 16, 2012


ATTENDEES:

 

Craig Page

Matthew Newman

Jim Landry

Thomas Bennett

David Eames

Rick & Cindy Cochran

Herb & Lois Anne Sumrall

Beau Dingler

Burns Mulhearn

Billy Chism

Matt Sutherland

Barry Meyer

Jeff Shaw

Emily McCalla

Robert & Carol Farbe

*Others not signed in

 

                       

*REMINDER: Pay dues as soon as possible through PayPal (link found on LSES web site under JOIN) or check mailed to 5261 Highland Rd. PO Box 217, Baton Rouge, LA 70808


TOPICS DISCUSSED:


Spring Solar Tour 2012 Planning:

Dates set for Saturday, April 14 – Sunday, April 15, 2012

Deadline to add a house to the tour is Friday, March 16, 2012

Cost will be $5 per group- didn’t seem to deter attendees last year

Looking to have houses from all over Louisiana

First step is lining up homes to be on the tour:

Will contact participants from previous tours

Will contact dealers and installers to ask for participants

Already have a few people asking to be on the tour

Can choose to open up house for either one date or both dates

Will create a packet of information including maps and figures for tour attendees

Will try to advertise in local newspapers, radio and through social networking

 

Incentive Update:

Federal:

Residential tax credit remains 30% uncapped doesn’t expire until the end of 2016The US Department of the Treasury 1603 Program expired and Congress did not renew

  • This reimbursed up to 30% of COMMERCIAL solar installation
  • Does not affect residential tax credits

State:

50% tax credit with no expiration

  • Could be in jeopardy every legislative session
  • Could cut these tax credits, always a concern

 

Financing Options:

Installers in attendance explained the financing options that they are offering

  • EcoPro offers a $25k loan “same as cash”
  • EnerBank offers a $45 loan “same as cash
    • Most installers are using this option

Many people are shifting investment funds to invest in solar because they are getting a better return on investment

“Solar Leasing”- has NOT been approved by the Louisiana Department of Revenue

Open Discussion:

            Herb and Lois Anne Sumrall have been averaging a $3-4 energy bill from use of their solar system

 

Next Meeting Topics:

Future Solar Legislation

            Idea: Mandate insurance policy for solar panels per state

Spring Solar Tour 2012 Details

 

*Next meeting is set for February 6, 2012

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