FAQ – General Questions:
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy employs resources that are free and local to create heat/ac or
electricity. Unlike traditional sources for energy (oil, coal, and natural gas),
renewable energy systems rely on the earth’s natural temperature, sunlight, or wind.
These sources are readily available if you have the properly designed equipment.
Why should I be interested in renewable energy?
Renewable energy is clean energy. Renewable energy does not deplete the earth’s
resources, is less expensive to operate, and does not generate waste products.
Is a renewable energy system expensive?
While each system involves an investment up front, the operational costs of a renewable
energy system are significantly less than a system relying on traditional means
(fossil fuels). Achieve provides cost and carbon footprint savings for each proposal.
How long before I see a return on my investment?
The return on investment varies depending on the system/type of renewable technology.
Achieve helps you understand your payback period. We provide operational savings
estimates for each of our projects.
Are there any tax incentives?
Yes. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Package) includes a tax
credit for up to 30% of the cost of geothermal, solar, and wind systems installed
by 2016 at residential properties. There is no credit maximum for systems in place
after 2008. Similar incentives exist for commercial properties. Commercial projects
enjoy accelerated depreciation. In many cases, increased property value from renewable
systems is property tax exempt.
In addition to federal programs, many states have incentives of their own. The available
incentives vary by location. Achieve will help you understand what incentives can
apply to your situation. Incentives
Are there any loan programs specifically designed for renewable energy?
Yes. Some federal programs include energy efficient mortgages:
www.dsireusa.org/library
Individual states may also offer resources:
www.dsireusa.org
Can any structure be retrofitted, or are these technologies only viable for
new construction?
Almost any structure can be retrofitted to accommodate a renewable energy system.
We would be happy to look at your particular structure and tell you how we would
approach your project.
What kind of maintenance is involved?
Geothermal: Annual or semi-annual system checks; filter changes Solar Photovoltaic:
Annual cleaning; web-based performance monitoring Solar Hot Water: Annual inspection
Wind: Visual inspection; Lubrication and filter changes (larger units); web-based
performance monitoring
What type of warranty do these products have?
Warranties vary based on residential or commercial use and between technologies.
Warranties of 10 years or longer are common for our products.
Are there permitting requirements for these systems?
Generally, yes, some type of permitting will be required with local authorities.
Permits might include building permits, electrical permits, grid-connection permits (solar-PV) or
drilling/well/loop permits (geothermal).
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